Android-powered BlackBerry Venice appears to have a new name

By Trevor Mogg Published September 24, 2015

BlackBerry’s first ever and much-anticipated Android device is expected to get an official launch in a matter of weeks. Up to now, news reports have referred to it by its apparent codename – BlackBerry Venice – but it seems we may now know its official launch name.

Ready for this? According to tech tipster Evan Blass, a man who’s called it right on many occasions over the last few years, it’s going to be called the BlackBerry Priv.

Recommended Videos

Sure, the name may look a little odd at first, and could still look a bit strange tomorrow (and the day after). But as Blass said in a tweet on Wednesday, “Names always sound weird until they don’t,” adding, “If you survived the Nintendo Wii, you’ll certainly acclimate Priv.”

At retail, Venice transforms into the… BlackBerry Priv

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 23, 2015

Pronunciation

But how to pronounce it? Is it “Priv” as in “privacy”, a possible nod to BlackBerry’s reputation for powerful mobile security? Or how about “Priv” as in “reprieve”, as if the company’s asking consumers for one more chance? Or might it rhyme with the “-ive” in “expensive”, which hopefully the Priv won’t be.

We should know soon, as the Canadian company is expected to officially unveil the device in the coming weeks, possibly in November.

The ~~Venice~~ Priv appears to be BlackBerry’s last ditch effort to win back users who in recent years deserted the company in favor of Apple and Android devices but who still hanker for BlackBerry’s iconic physical keyboard, or who simply retain a soft spot for the former mobile powerhouse.

From what we know, the Android Lollipop handset is expected to feature a 5.4-inch Quad-HD screen, 1.8GHz 64-bit hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, and 3GB of RAM. It could also sport an 18-megapixel rear camera with a dual LED flash, and a 5-megapixel shooter on the front.

Design-wise, it’s expected to come with dual-curved edges similar to the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

For DT’s full round-up of news on the phone formerly known as Venice, as well as details on the possible launch of a second Android handset, jump over to this page now.

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Topics

Phones

The HONOR Robot Phone feels like the first phone I’d actually buy for its weirdest feature

I wanted a better workflow. HONOR built a robot.

HONOR Robot Phone Hands On First Impressions Review

When I was at Computex earlier this year, I shot a lot of Reels using my DJI Osmo. And don't get me wrong: that little camera is excellent. The stabilization is great, the video quality is good, and it is exactly the kind of thing you want when you're running around a trade show trying to make content. But then came the annoying part: transferring all that footage to my phone or laptop, moving it to the cloud, and finally getting it onto the platform I actually wanted to use. At some point, I remember thinking, "Why are there so many steps?"

Apparently, HONOR had the same thought. The difference is that while I just complained about it, HONOR went ahead and built a phone around the idea. The HONOR Robot Phone is, admittedly, doing a lot. It's a flagship Android phone, a miniature motorized camera gimbal, a robotic arm, and an AI playground all rolled into one. But after actually using it at IFA Berlin this year, I found myself caring far less about the novelty and far more about the camera. Because, honestly, this thing is really good.

Phones

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an unabashedly bougie reader, but gosh, I can’t put it down

I am NOT telling you to spend $1,900 on it for reading books. And yet, here I am, surpassing my reading goals at an addictively quick pace.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

On an ordinary day, if you ask me what's the best e-reader device out there, my answer would most probably be one of Amazon's Kindle readers. I will most likely ask about your budget and your preferences before doling out a few recommendations.

If you tell me that the Kindle is too restrictive, I would point you in the direction of a Boox slate, which comes in multiple sizes across a wide price bracket. In case you are inclined towards a phone-like reader device, the Boox Palma 2 or the DuRoBo Krono would be my suggested picks. And if you're chasing something light, tiny, and open, the XTEINK X4 would be my go-to choice.

Phones

Three reasons I’m still hesitant to order the iPhone Duo

Apple’s first foldable had me reaching for my credit card, but a few days of thinking changed my mind.

iPhone Duo on table unfolded

Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo at its “Surprise and Shine” event, and my jaw dropped. To be fair, I had a pretty good idea about the phone’s hardware, but the software polish and little nice touches Apple added everywhere made me instantly pull out my credit card.

From the opening animation to the almost creaseless nano-texture display to the under-display camera to the IP68 water and dust resistance, Apple has certainly delivered with its first try at a foldable phone.