For the hardcore BlackBerry user and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) customer, the end of the wait for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)’s Q10 is near. Next week will see Research In Motion’s physical keyboard and new operating system combine to offer the Q10 for the last of the major U.S. carriers that plan to offer the handset.
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) will offer the phone at $199.99, the same price that other carriers have been selling the Q10 as it has rolled-out this month.
Blackberry Q10 Typing Surface
The Q10’s typing surface, based on BlackBerry’s legendary Bold line of handsets is offering users a larger keyboard, 30 percent larger, that previous models revered the world over that once had Research in Motion leading the smartphone wars. The consensus of reviewers who have had an opportunity to send messages on the Q10 agree the new keyboard is both a fast and accurate way to send messages. For those that do a fair amount of messaging from their phones, the Q10 serves as a reminder of why Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) won’t as Dylan Thomas wrote, “Go gently into that good night.”
Of course, by increasing the size of the keyboard while keeping the Q10 the same size as its Bold line of handsets, this means that something has to be sacrificed, and you guessed it, it comes at the expense of the touchscreen display. The Q10 will be equipped with a miniscule 3.1-inch touch screen that should have many users squinting from day one if they choose to view a webpage, Facebook feed, etc.
For some, the fact that the Q10 is using Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)’s latest operating system, BB10, coupled with AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)’s lightning-quick 4G LTE data network will seem tantamount to putting lipstick on a pig for many. However, for those that have enjoyed Research in Motion’s products for years, they will be getting a larger keyboard coupled with a touchscreen that their friends have been using for years.
Either way, it will be curious to see if the Q10 can return market share to the Canadian company.
