Why?

[Rayquaza]

So...BlackBerry has revealed a square phone (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2685733/Blackberry-reveals-details-bizarre-SQUARE-phone-launch-September.html). I'm not entirely sure what the company's direction is from here but it sure is a curve ball.
http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE0LzA3LzA5L2Y1L0JsYWNrQmVycnlQLmE1Y2Y2LnBuZwpwCXRodW1iCTk1MHg1MzQjCmUJanBn/bc6dc322/6df/BlackBerry-Passport-Spreadsheet-productivity.jpg


Do you think this will suffice to keep up with new smartphones and OSes such as Android L and iOS 8?

Also, do you think this will affect BlackBerry too (positive/negative)?

I personally think it's a bit ridiculous to be honest. I mean, how is that going to fit in my pocket??! I don't even...

[ImCoolBeans]

It will probably be a flop, like every Blackberry that has come out since iPhones and Androids took over the realm of smartphones. I can hardly reach the top left corner of my iPhone 5s if I'm holding it in my hand and using that thumb to navigate it with -- I can't imagine it being more convenient having a phone that is slightly taller, and 1.5 times as wide.

[CharlieHorse]

It won't do well at all. Android and ios have already taken over the market. This is probably blackberry's last run. The last i've heard from them is that they're not doing so well financially.
This new "phone" looks like a desperate measure by Blackberry to try and show that they can make innovative (but useless) things to keep up with the other giants.
Goodbye Blackberry. You were great while you lasted.

[Microcosm]

It won't go over well. I think it's just Blackberry making an attempt to be relevant and "cool" or "unique." It will fail.

[lyhom]

Yeah, by now RIM would need a miracle to be relevant again.

Not to mention that the gimmick is weak as hell. "zomg itz skwar tht mkes it totly difrint frum da rest uf da markit!!!!!!!!111111111!1!11111".

(Can't imagine that it would be too comfortable, anyways...)

[Hypers]

I feel like this is to grab attention and 'stand out' from the rest. Some people will buy it because its different but not necessarily better.

[Camazotz]

I can't think of a single person that would prefer a boxed phone like this, especially from the Blackberry brand. It will fail and it will fail hard. They have a small target audience that's willing to take that kind of phone for the benefit of a physical keyboard. Blackberry will lose tons of money on this. Yuck.

[CosmicNoodle]

Like every Blackberry since the advent of the iPhone and Android it will be a flop, no one wants them anymore, in my opinion Blackberry are doomed.

[PinkFloyd]

Like everyone else is saying, it's a fuck up. Blackberry was good in the days of the Pearl and Curve. That was before Android and IOS took over.

I like to think of Blackberry as Poland in 1943 and IOS with Android as Nazi Germany.

[Melodic]

Yeah uhm, I can honestly say I don't that will even fit in my purse :lol:

[Fractured Silhouette]

To appeal to nostalgic 40-80 year olds who miss cumbersome mobile phones, PDA's and walky talkies?

[ShadowsRyder432]

Goodbye Blackberry. You were great while you lasted.
Not even.

I feel like this is to grab attention and 'stand out' from the rest. Some people will buy it because its different but not necessarily better.
Same thought, they just want to make something that will look 'better' but when push comes to shove and people buy it, they will see how sucky the screen length and height really are.

Merged double post. -Cygnus David

[Aves]

It's something that can deal better with spreadsheets obviously. However, is that really worth getting the phone? Probably not. Less than the physical phone, the issue is iOS and Android OS have just taken control of the smartphone world. You aren't going to be happy with a smartphone that has neither.

Physically, it's odd, but just OS wise, it fails.

[Green Arrow]

Blackberry really has lost it's grip on the tech world. They should really just throw in the towel they're fighting a losing battle.

[ShadowsRyder432]

Blackberry really has lost it's grip on the tech world. They should really just throw in the towel they're fighting a losing battle.
Which makes me wonder if Apple or Android will buy the company. Or maybe some other company will buy it?

[Green Arrow]

Which makes me wonder if Apple or Android will buy the company. Or maybe some other company will buy it?

In the least mean way I don't think they have anything that Apple would want if I'm honest...

[ShadowsRyder432]

In the least mean way I don't think they have anything that Apple would want if I'm honest...

True but you know big corporate companies. They have there reasons sometimes...

[Typhlosion]

If it ran Android, i'd actually find it an appealing concept. I just like it, SQUARE. But it's way too wide.