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I used this for a MONTH ☹ - Blackberry Key2

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips2M viewsAug 15, 201810:33
Source
YT
Views
2M
Subscribers
16.8M
Critic
?
Audience
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0 up · 0 down · 0 ratings

Promos

Get an unrestricted 30-day free trial of FreshBooks at freshbooks.com Buy the Thermaltake View 71 Snow case on Amazon at geni.us Buy the Thermaltake View 71 Snow case on Newegg at geni.us The Key2 is the sequel to the KeyOne. Eagerly awaited by literally dozens of people, this last-generation typing experience is sure to please even business executives who refuse to learn or experience anything new. Buy Blackberry Key2 On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk

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The video begins with Linus explaining that he spent a month using the Blackberry Key2 as his daily driver, but his overall stance remains negative. He emphasizes that his conclusion is not overly dramatic but clearly states that he does not recommend the device, inviting viewers to watch the rest to understand the nuances behind that stance. The first five minutes focus on the keyboard experience, contrasting the Key2 with older Blackberries and modern software keyboards. He notes that while there are interesting features like programmable shortcuts and gesture options on the physical keys, many functions could be done just as well on a software keyboard, and the hardware keyboard layout feels clunky for larger fingers. The discussion then shifts to the display and ergonomics, highlighting a non-ideal aspect ratio, readability challenges for content consumption, and the awkward placement of non-reconfigurable hardware navigation keys between the keyboard and screen, which leads to accidental presses during use. He closes the segment by framing the Key2 as a device shaped more for communication in theory than for media consumption, and he expresses frustration with how these compromises affect everyday use, from browsing to typing. The middle portion of the video delves into battery life, security features, and the general utility of BlackBerry software on a consumer device, noting that the Key2 delivers solid battery performance and a competent BlackBerry Hub, but security and management features, while impressive, do not necessarily align with what a typical consumer wants from an Android or iOS experience. He argues that future OS updates and broader app ecosystem support would be more valuable to most buyers than the specialized enterprise features, citing a lack of long term Android updates as a discouraging factor. The conclusion ties the experience together with a candid comparison to the reviewer’s expectations, joking about the public’s perception of BlackBerry devices, and ultimately reiterating that if you love BlackBerry you might enjoy it, but otherwise there is little that would change your mind. He then pivots to a sponsored segment for FreshBooks and mentions practical ways the product could improve productivity, ending with a call to action to check the sponsor link and to engage with the channel for more reviews. The video wraps with closing prompts to subscribe, like, and explore the store and community forums, while the host hints at upcoming coverage of the retail Key2 unit, signaling a continuation of the hands-on evaluation. Overall the video blends humor with a rigorous hardware and software critique, delivering a thorough but skeptical assessment of the BlackBerry Key2 as a contemporary daily driver.

Topics · technology · consumer-electronics · smartphones · hardware · reviews · security · display · battery-life

Questions answered

What is Linus's overall verdict on the Blackberry Key2?
He does not recommend it and still does not like it after a month of use.
What are the main drawbacks highlighted for the Key2?
Non-ideal keyboard layout for large fingers, awkward hardware navigation button placement, and mediocre content consumption experience due to screen aspect ratio and software/hardware tradeoffs.