Taking that to Android, known as a less-than-secure platform, BlackBerry has put in a DTEK app, which gives the user more granular control over the security of their phones.
Although you can download the BlackBerry Hub app on any Android phone, the smooth integration present here is a different experience.īlackBerry phones have also been a favourite of business users because of the more secure environment they provide. And it's this that makes the DTEK60 unique among Android phones the way it's arranged on the inside. It's obviously retaining what business users want from their phones ‑ communication. This is the one quick-access place for your email, tasks, agenda, and contacts. On the left edge, however, you'll see a white tab that seems to ask you to swipe it out.
In fact, there's not that much silly tampering with Android, which means the device is nice and clean and fast to use. On the inside of this smartphone, you'll first see the usual Android. One can't help wishing this was a regular feature on all phones. It can take you quickly to a dial pad, or turn on the torch, or instantly show you your agenda for the day. You can forgive the power button placement when you see that on the right you have a small round button called the Convenience Key which you can map, via Settings, to do any of a number of different jobs. There's also a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone to add to the mix. I found myself resorting to the other method of waking the phone ‑ a double tap on the screen, which is also convenient enough. I found it difficult to remember but then, I deal with so many phones that it's not the same as owning that one device and using it day to day. Secondly, the power button is on the left and top on this device, which is not a placement one is very accustomed to. You can't lay the phone totally flat as you may worry about damaging the lens, although apparently it is safe enough. Firstly, it's got a camera that sticks out prominently though the lens is a bit recessed. There are a couple of other design issues with the DTEK60. They also take on fingerprints very readily and stop looking pretty soon enough. But there's no doubt that all these glass-filled smartphones are vulnerable, in the interest of looking pretty. It's a 5.5-inch device but at the same time narrow enough to make sure you have a solid hold on it always. That means it's slippery and you have to watch your grip. Today, the DTEK60 is a totally contemporary looking phone ‑ and one feels nostalgic for the old look. I remember that for years we in the tech community kept bemoaning the fact that BlackBerry wasn't contemporising its products enough and leaving its products stuck in the past while new competition raced ahead.
No matter what troubles the company has had, you still expect a certain stability and quality from the company. That is unmistakably BlackBerry and reassuring to see. All the signature looks of the old BlackBerry are absent, except for the logo on the back. DTEK50 was also launched at the same time, and that is essentially the same device with lower specifications.Īndroid and BlackBerry are the new bedfellows on this device. But now, we're looking at one of the two new devices launched in India recently ‑ the DTEK60. There's even some news of an upcoming BlackBerry device with the much-loved QWERTY keyboard in a few months.