Top 5 Features of BlackBerry PRIV

BlackBerry Philippines has just introduced the PRIV and before it becomes available in the local market next week, let’s take a look at some of the top features of this Android-loaded, keyboard-touting smartphone.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. We just wanted to give you guys a rundown on the top features of the phone that we think are its main selling points for anyone looking for such capabilities. Keep in mind that the features below are all BlackBerry’s claims and we still have yet to prove how well they work in real life situations during our full review.

With that, let’s get started!

BlackBerry Hub

Previously a BlackBerry 10 exclusive, the BlackBerry Hub lets you view all your communications in one glance. This includes SMS, emails, social media, calendar, or call logs. With this feature alone, it will minimize the time spent on opening different apps just to check for new notifications.

blackberry-priv-hub

Users can also arrange and organize all their files inside the Hub. Since the entries come from different apps, you can create new folders and, for example, segregate your work entries from your friends list. You can also mute an entry and schedule it when to unmute: whether by time, place (home or work), or whenever you’re connected to a certain Wi-Fi connection. These are just some of the things that you can do using the BlackBerry Hub.

Touch-enabled physical keyboard

You probably know by now that PRIV allows for two kinds of typing: on-screen and a sliding physical keyboard. Although it’s nice that there’s this option, it doesn’t end there. This physical keyboard also acts as a touch-sensitive trackpad so you could swipe on its keys to scroll the screen up and down, flicking predictive text onto the screen, and using it as a cursor for making selections.

blackberry-priv-keyboard

This makes it possible to control and navigate through the device while the keyboard is out.

Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera

blackberry-priv-camera2

The company also took imaging seriously for the PRIV. It’s been equipped with an 18-megapixel Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera that integrates technologies commonly seen in DSLR cameras.

blackberry-priv-camera

What the PRIV aims to provide is professional-grade photos by being equipped with settings and features like control for exposure, Phase Detection Auto Focus, Optical Image Stabilization, and dual-tone flashes.

Display

Sporting a 5.4-inch display, the screen itself is a looker with the edges curving outward on both sides.  It is also reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 which protects it from unwanted scratches and even against impacts.

blackberry-priv-hub2

Resolution-wise, it’s packed with 2560 x 1440 that results to an eye-watering 540ppi. Together with its OLED panel, the display as a whole aims to not only make the PRIV solely for business use but also for entertainment.

DTEK by BlackBerry

With all the cyber hacking happening  these days, it pays to have extra security on the device that you use the most — your smartphone. The company claims that all data stored inside the phone is protected and encrypted by default using a combination of software and hardware.

blackberry-priv-dtek

As a way to monitor your device, the PRIV has a proprietary DTEK software that shows what apps are accessing the microphone, camera, location, and personal information. In one glance, it displays the overall security rating of the handset as well as all its securty features.

That rounds up our short list and stay tuned as we work on the full review of the device. In the meantime, check out our first impressions here.

The post Top 5 Features of BlackBerry PRIV appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Top 5 Features of BlackBerry PRIV

BlackBerry Philippines has just introduced the PRIV and before it becomes available in the local market next week, let’s take a look at some of the top features of this Android-loaded, keyboard-touting smartphone.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. We just wanted to give you guys a rundown on the top features of the phone that we think are its main selling points for anyone looking for such capabilities. Keep in mind that the features below are all BlackBerry’s claims and we still have yet to prove how well they work in real life situations during our full review.

With that, let’s get started!

BlackBerry Hub

Previously a BlackBerry 10 exclusive, the BlackBerry Hub lets you view all your communications in one glance. This includes SMS, emails, social media, calendar, or call logs. With this feature alone, it will minimize the time spent on opening different apps just to check for new notifications.

blackberry-priv-hub

Users can also arrange and organize all their files inside the Hub. Since the entries come from different apps, you can create new folders and, for example, segregate your work entries from your friends list. You can also mute an entry and schedule it when to unmute: whether by time, place (home or work), or whenever you’re connected to a certain Wi-Fi connection. These are just some of the things that you can do using the BlackBerry Hub.

Touch-enabled physical keyboard

You probably know by now that PRIV allows for two kinds of typing: on-screen and a sliding physical keyboard. Although it’s nice that there’s this option, it doesn’t end there. This physical keyboard also acts as a touch-sensitive trackpad so you could swipe on its keys to scroll the screen up and down, flicking predictive text onto the screen, and using it as a cursor for making selections.

blackberry-priv-keyboard

This makes it possible to control and navigate through the device while the keyboard is out.

Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera

blackberry-priv-camera2

The company also took imaging seriously for the PRIV. It’s been equipped with an 18-megapixel Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera that integrates technologies commonly seen in DSLR cameras.

blackberry-priv-camera

What the PRIV aims to provide is professional-grade photos by being equipped with settings and features like control for exposure, Phase Detection Auto Focus, Optical Image Stabilization, and dual-tone flashes.

Display

Sporting a 5.4-inch display, the screen itself is a looker with the edges curving outward on both sides.  It is also reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 which protects it from unwanted scratches and even against impacts.

blackberry-priv-hub2

Resolution-wise, it’s packed with 2560 x 1440 that results to an eye-watering 540ppi. Together with its OLED panel, the display as a whole aims to not only make the PRIV solely for business use but also for entertainment.

DTEK by BlackBerry

With all the cyber hacking happening  these days, it pays to have extra security on the device that you use the most — your smartphone. The company claims that all data stored inside the phone is protected and encrypted by default using a combination of software and hardware.

blackberry-priv-dtek

As a way to monitor your device, the PRIV has a proprietary DTEK software that shows what apps are accessing the microphone, camera, location, and personal information. In one glance, it displays the overall security rating of the handset as well as all its securty features.

That rounds up our short list and stay tuned as we work on the full review of the device. In the meantime, check out our first impressions here.

The post Top 5 Features of BlackBerry PRIV appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro hands-on, first impressions

Last night, Lenovo Philippines introduced a slew of new products including the Ideapad 100 and 500, the Yoga 900, and the Yoga Tab 3 Pro. The latter got our attention with its built-in kickstand and projector so we did a quick hands-on and first impressions during the event.

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As a refresh to the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro that was launched late last year, the new Yoga Tab 3 Pro aims to build on top of what its predecessor has laid out. The new tablet is now smaller with its 10.1-inch QHD IPS display that equates to a decent 299ppi. There are good viewing angles on this slate thanks to its IPS panel which make sharing content with friends easier.

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At the bottom of the screen is the speaker grille with four front-facing speakers made by JBL and feature Dolby’s ATMOS sound technology that’s present in other Lenovo smartphones. We played a couple of videos on it and the speakers indeed delivered powerful sound that should be enough when used inside an average-sized room or outside with a few people gathered around it.

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What makes this unique from other tablets is that while those still need a separate kickstand, the Yoga Tab 3 Pro has a metal one built-in so you could use the device standing up, lying down, or slightly angled for easier typing.

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Just press the button at the back to pop the kickstand out and rotate it to a position that fully suits your typing needs. Additionally, you can also make use of the hole where the button goes and hang it on a nail or anything similar so you could video chat, for example, whenever your hands are full.

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Taking a closer look at its rear, the back panel has been covered with leather not just for aesthetics but also for added grip and comfort while using it. Also seen here is the compartment for the storage expansion that you just need to pop open in order to access. It could support as much as 128GB so you could store media files without the fear of running out of space.

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At the left edge of the device is where the somewhat large screen lock button is situated that’s surrounded by an LED notification ring. Just above it is where you charge the device using a microUSB cable along with the volume rocker. The 13-megapixel rear camera is also placed in this area. We like how the lock button is placed here as it is easy to reach regardless of what orientation you’re using the tablet.

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On the opposite edge, you’ll find the dedicated button that aids in focusing the image once you start projecting images. Seated next to it is the 3.5mm audio jack.

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The projector itself is embedded along the kickstand so you could rotate it freely and point it towards any surface. Lenovo claims it could project images up to 70 inches wide and 480p resolution. This feature lets users share media conveniently to nearby audiences whether it be streaming videos, browsing photos, or watching movies.

The tablet has also been certified to be water-resistant so you wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally spilling a drink on it when you use it at parties, for example.

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Overall, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro looks to be a promising gadget for media consumption — it’s got an impressive QHD display, good viewing angles, loud speakers, and a built-in projector right out of the box.

Although what we noticed while briefly browsing the tablet was that it registered our touch inputs with a short delay even while just unlocking the device or scanning through the main menu. It’s not much of a deal-breaker, but it’s not as responsive as other slates running Android 5.1.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro is priced at Php29,999 and will be available in all Lenovo Exclusive Stores and resellers nationwide.

Lenovo YOGA Tab 3 Pro specs:
10.1-inch QHD IPS display, 299ppi
2.24Ghz Intel Atom X5-Z8500 quad-core CPU
2GB LPDDR3 RAM
16GB, 32GB internal storage
up to 128GB via microSD
13MP AF rear camera
5MP fixed focus front camera
Single Micro SIM
4G LTE, 3G
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4G and 5G Dual Band, MIMO
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
180-degree rotatable built-in projector
4 front-facing JBL Speakers with Dolby ATMOS
Android 5.1 Lollipop
10,200mAh battery w/ Fast Charge
247 x 179 x 4.68 (thinnest point) mm
655 g

The post Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro hands-on, first impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

BlackBerry PRIV first impressions

BlackBerry Philippines, yesterday, introduced its latest smartphone that run on Android’s platform — the PRIV. It boasts a QHD display that curves on both sides, a sliding QWERTY keyboard, and data encryption that promises utmost privacy on whatever you use the handset for. Here are our first impressions on the device.

blackberry-priv-hero

With a 5.4-inch display, the PRIV’s size feels just right on the hand when you navigate using its touchscreen display but becomes taller once you slide its physical keyboard out. It actually brings back the feeling of using a Nokia 7650, if you ask us.

blackberry-priv-philippines-10

The keys are squeezed tightly together which we think is going to take some getting used to — in addition to the fact that we haven’t used a physical keyboard on a handset for quite a while now. Additionally, the company made sliding the QWERTY keyboard up and down feel natural on the device so that’s a good thing.

blackberry-priv-philippines-6

The back panel is made of what appears to be a carbon fiber of sorts, with a slight rubbery feel to it. This makes the device almost stick to your hands due to the grip it adds when it comes in contact to the palm or other surfaces. This is a good move in our book since we’re tired of dropping smartphones when they accidentally slip out of pockets.

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We see the company’s logo proudly sitting at the center.

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Its QHD display also doesn’t disappoint — images are vibrant and sharp, while brightness is sufficient. Overall, we would say that the BlackBerry PRIV could go toe-to-toe with other flagships in terms of display quality.

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Overall, the device feels solid on the hands, but is a bit heavy to hold. It also feels premium enough to somehow justify its steep Php45K price, but do keep in mind that its physique is just half the story as BlackBerry also poured in a great deal of effort in integrating BlackBerry’s security features into Android’s ecosystem.

With that said, the PRIV has command gestures that aren’t present in other Android devices. Some of it include swiping from the bottom and quickly accessing BB Hub, swiping from the right edge of the screen to show shortcuts to apps. and using the keyboard as a trackpad to scroll up and down and navigate through the menu (as shown in our hands-on video) or while browsing the Internet.

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People who have never had a BlackBerry device (like me) might be alienated at first with the handset’s UI, but its integration makes sense in a way that users will, in no time, get used to it. We’ve only fiddled with it for a short while and we already got the hang of pulling the “hidden” shortcuts from different sides of the screen.

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So far, we see the BlackBerry PRIV as a handset with potential for BB loyalists who want access to Google’s wide selection of apps. We weren’t able to test just how secure the device is, but as per the company’s claims, they look pretty serious in keeping your sensitive data to yourself. We will make a full review as soon as BlackBerry sends a demo unit.

Meanwhile, below is our quick hands-on with the device during its launch:

BlackBerry PRIV specs:
5.4-inch dual-curved QHD AMOLED display @ 2560 x 1440 pixels, 540ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core chipset
Adreno 418
3GB RAM
32GB internal storage
18MP Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera with OIS, PDAF (phase-detection autofocus), and 6-element f/2.2 aperture lens
2MP front camera with large 1.75um pixel and f2.8 aperture
3410mAh battery
Qi wireless charging
Android 5.1.1
Price: Php45,000

The post BlackBerry PRIV first impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Android-powered BlackBerry PRIV launches in PH

BlackBerry Philippines today launches its new Android-powered handset that has a touchscreen display yet also has a hidden physical keyboard that slides out whenever you need it. This is the BlackBerry PRIV.

blackberry priv_1

BlackBerry PRIV specs:
5.4-inch dual-curved QHD AMOLED display @ 2560 x 1440 pixels, 540ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core chipset
Adreno 418
3GB RAM
32GB internal storage
18MP Schneider-Kreuznach rear camera with OIS, PDAF (phase-detection autofocus), and 6-element f/2.2 aperture lens
2MP front camera with large 1.75um pixel and f2.8 aperture
3410mAh battery
Qi wireless charging
Android 5.1.1

The BlackBerry PRIV is priced locally at Php 45,000 and will be available by mid December. Stay tuned for our hands-on experience with the device in just a bit.

The post Android-powered BlackBerry PRIV launches in PH appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.