BlackBerry Passport 10 Years Later! We Still Need Keys!

[@jonfreeman9682]

Thank you for remembering this legendary phone. Blackberry doesn't get enough credit for their contribution for smartphones. Without Blackberry there may never have been an iPhone. They built the first two way mobile pager and mobile email and the first true smartphone and basically Apple stole their idea and got rid of the keyboard and created a better app store. Blackberry World was big back in the day where anyone can develop apps for Blackberry and they didn't even charge a 30% cut. The passport was the best keyboard form factor for two thumb typing.

[@ronaldsavard1663]

Adam I had a BB classic for 6 years until it died, and wanted to know how it was made so I dismantled; I have a perfectly shaped BB curve, which I keep for nostalgia. I used to take pictures, store music videos, and one key popped out a year ago. It was my wife's phone which was rarely used. I miss it.

[@cocoastclair]

I agree and still using my key2 le at home for typing. Miss the keys, Crackberry Kevin needs to make the keyboard for the Google Pixel line up.

[@Adam_GAwx]

Amazing timing. I’ve been watching black berry vids past few days. I’ve been subbed to you for a long time too. Great video keep it up. Thanks for all you do.

[@astolk8783]

Man you are so right!!! I miss the Blackberry. Still got the priv and the paspoort..

[@JulioBarrancoGalaviz]

I missed all my Blackberries so much. The Curve, the Bold, the Classic and of course the Passport. I'd buy them in a heartbeat and dump my foldable a for it.

[@chauhanhm1]

If you do a Kickstarter campaign for a ne BB style keyboard phone, I'm in. Miss my BB too.

[@vpnconsult]

Loved this device. ❤️

[@TechwithTonyUK]

So I had the Blackberry Storm when it was first released back in 2008, then I had the Bold and Curve, then I moved to Sony Phones, then Samsung, and now I am on Apple. But for some reason I just purchased a Passport, in great working condition for £75. Cannot wait to see what I can do with it in 2024, even if it's just music and such I'll be happy with that, will be replacing the battery to get a bit of extra functionality out of it. Thanks for all of your videos great to see someone who spends the time looking back at all of the great devices of old! Keep it up.

[@douglassherman4466]

I've been using a Unihertz Titan Slim phone as my mobile office and it's a pretty good productivity tool compared to all touch screen phones. Once you figure out the keyboard, you can do pretty much anything

[@tommythunder7498]

TechOdyssey, the man the myth the BlackBerry Legend! I totally agree with you about the Passport, my best friend in college and University had one and It was marvelous! If you ever venture in the business of making a keyboard phone like the Passport or a Fold version I think most of your community that has sufficient income (respecting everyone's capacity in this tough economy) will support (back you up). I know I will. I was so hopefull for the Key3; still have my BB Key1. (Using Samsung in the meantime). Stay Safe be healthy and Happy Holiday to you are your family !

[@ronsolo1151]

You made a good choice. Samsung Galaxy devices in many ways, is the perfect alternative for a former BlackBerry device user.

[@ruthn01]

The Blackberry Passport was one of the most beautiful phone I've ever owned. I miss it. I miss the physical keyboard. My last Blackberry I owned was in 2021. It didn't have a pkb. 😢 I'm typing this comment on my Samsung and I still can't type fast on these floating kb. Ugh. Loved this video!

[@jimmycharlene]

Ohh man! I MISS BLACKBERRY ! its been a struggle ever since!

[@ThirdRock777]

Indeed!!! Still hopeful... Questions: Why don't startup Phone development companies utilize the surplus BlackBerry keyboard supplies, learn from them and further strengthen the return of a good phone with a keyboard? Whatever happened to Onward Mobility?

[@ShabbyFox87]

You have the exact same love for the passport se that I have. Hearing you talk about it echos everything I say to my wife about it! If you did manage to come up with your own version of a bb/passport I would 100% support that and buy one and I think a lot of others would too. I would also love an OS like bb10 again. The hub, the security and the feeling that your data isn’t constantly being monitored and sold. If it supported apps like Spotify and KZbin but didn’t support the socials I think that would make it a success with the non BlackBerry fans too. So many people are wanting the perfect “dumb phone” where you can still do your banking and listen to music but not have the social media aspects. So maybe if you were to end up making one, it could be advertised as a digital minimisation phone for BlackBerry lovers! Loving all the videos Adam and happy new year!

[@Dalmado]

I wish blackberry would’ve never went out of business or stop to make any phones. I wish they would come back and have something very updated that was compatible with the iPhone.

[@yuginub]

Are you posting more of the minimal phone?

[@nishantmachhar]

Brilliant piece of industrial design and an equally capable OS, didn't get the traction it deserved, have mine preserved.

[@d.neilmckay7709]

As I've mentioned before, I still use the Key2 as my daily driver. I don't play games or watch TV or movies, and rarely take photographs. I am a heavy email sender and recipient, use X, Bluesky, Instagram, and some Facebook, as well as calls, texts, and some shopping apps. I do miss BBM. I used and loved the Bold 9900, Classic, and Passport until the BB10 OS was replaced by Android. Passport was such a splendid smartphone, and no one beat BlackBerry for physical form. What's this about a Signal group? I'd like to join that. This video was the perfect tonic when I am probably leaving the Key2 unless I can get the battery replaced! Otherwise, I still love it. Thanks, Adam!

[@ezradanger]

My first Google phone had a sliding keyboard that came out of it. While it was kind of thick and clunky compared to the iPhone at the time, I feel like this could be done without giving up much nowadays when you consider where we are with foldables and their varieties.

[@sneeks71]

Same. I had the T-Mobile G1 (aka HTC Dream). One of the best keyboards of all time. That 5-row keyboard felt so good to type on. I think it's tied with the Blackberry Bold 9000 for my favorite keyboard.

[@ezradanger]

@sneeks71 I honestly don't know what type of phone it was. I think it was on Sprint. I just remember that it would show the Google logo when it would power on lol

[@moshnroll507]

Haven’t seen the intro in a while, nice!

[@baddboo]

I agree with you 1000%. I would also purchase this phone for $3000 if they made it to work with new software. Great video.

[@claudiameier666]

the passport still works as a dumbphone. and still has good battery life

[@FawadBilgrami]

If you're following the scene, they have hacked it and can run Android.

[@retrospectivelyspectacular2331]

I’m now on my first iPhone, I miss my Passport so much, it was a stunner of a phone and loved it. Breaks my heart

[@ChadTV-vi7lk]

BlackBerry Z10 was ahead of its time. Its on screen keyboard was phenomenal and its gestures are what all phones use today. Only problem was app support

[@sgreen4449]

i still use my bb passport silver edition and does what i need it to do, texting, calling, email, hub is working great and calendar is still awesome

[@lessofmewithnsng]

Passport still my all time favorite phone. I worked in silicon valley when I had it and would get asked about it everyone it was out of my pocket.

[@TechOdyssey]

It was really awesome

[@MissinNo]

Still a great looking phone too. It aged well imo.

[@shevonmullings4131]

I loved using picture password on BB10 back in the day.

[@TechOdyssey]

Me too

[@BBTB2010]

I can't remember exactly which it was, but the one with the roller ball. I was just a truck driver at the time, but felt like CEO with my fancy blackberry. 😂

[@tvdroid22]

My Passport has been the high point in quality phones for me. I get it out occasionally and power it up just to enjoy the experience again. So well made. Nothing like it now.

[@randomstuff5537]

I don’t know if you’re aware of the project that can convert the phone to Lineage 18.1 (android 11) ? There’s a few videos on my channel, but most of the information can be found on reddit.

[@kevo1110]

What? Really? I thought the biggest block to updating the software was that the hardware was locked down and needed to be physically altered to even think of changing the software.

[@roosty04]

BBPP The best!! I saw another KZbinr post a similar video the other day. Good stuff!!

[@ljacobs357]

Blackberry was great. Always preferred the physical keys.

[@alexlalonde4190]

Back then people weren't buying BlackBerry because it didn't have a home button. Looks like BlackBerry was well in advance of its time. Nostalgia.....atill have a Keyone in my drawer, did love the Dtek series also.

[@jaywright9635]

I always wanted one. I stayed with my Q10 for far too long lol. But I miss BlackBerry.

[@GentlemenPremiumReview]

I nearly bought a BB Key2 last month. I tried it 3x in the after BB era. Sadly I skipped it. My hopes are on the minimal phone. Once it is on Amazon, I will buy it ASAP. Passport was the final boss. An ice breaker. People came to me back in the day and talked about the device. Lying on my desk, it communicated business and serious tasks.

[@roymonrreal9608]

I cant believe its been ten years...this is the last BB I ever owned

[@MrThemessage1]

I still use bb passport and i will always use ❤

[@WSS_the_OG]

Agreed. There was more to it than the keyboard with the Passport. That was a significant part of the experience, but it was also the sleek appearance, proportions, and that great OS. I loved that "peek and flow" stuff, it just worked. As you said, some of those swipe and notifications features have found their way into modern Android and iPhone, but they aren't as intuitive to use, in my opinion. It seemed BBOS10 was designed for those things from the ground up, so the integration was superb. With robot and fruit, these things are retro-fitted on, and so they aren't ground-up integrated. One more quick thing to note. I have been using the Unihertz Titan for a bit. This might be a good starting point if you were to start your own project. What it would need to be better: - Much thinner, and lighter. - A custom launcher with proper BBOS10 "peek and flow" not as an afterthought, but as a core starting point for the UI. While the hardware may not be too much of an issue now, due to the high availability of off-the-shelf components to choose from, and a variety of factories in China who are too happy to build and assemble custom phones, OS work is expensive and time consuming, and this may be the biggest hurdle.

[@Just.Here.For.Comments]

This is the device I'm sad that I sold. Thanks for the video!

[@tamilrealtorgta]

Honestly the best phone I've ever owned. It was indestructible.

[@toddm6999]

We need the passport we need blackberry software ..I always found the interconnected nature of calendar and notes and email accounts to be the best.. the speaker was loud and clear as well.

[@SerkleK]

I was forced to a Passport when my Z10 cell antenna stopped working. I loved the BB10 UI and the virtual keyboard was the best software keyboard I've ever used. I still have my Passport laying around, I do miss the keyboard as well. But the Z10 was my favorite coming from the OG Bold 9000, the 8525, and a few others. I won a BB Motion but I'm not a fan of the UI. I went to the Note series after my Passport stopped holding a days worth of battery. I still believe that BB10 was the best UI for my usage and productivity. Oh! I also miss the FM radio module from the Z10 and Passport. I actually have used the FM radio for a bit when I moved on from the Passport. That's one bit of "Tech" I wish all companies would keep on their devices. Even if they got rid of the headphone jack.

[@2per2kib15]

Me too, I love and missed Blackberry. Hoping that they bounce back.

[@DoReMeaCulpa]

My perfect phone was the BB Priv. I loved it so much I bought a backup Priv, and was glad I did. I also have that same BB Passport as you, in mint condition, barely used ecause I preferred to use the Priv. I agree with you re keyboards. A physical keyboard is SO much better than typing on a screen.

[@Atmarixx]

That small community you mentioned from bbm still exist. Most of us migrated to the bbm business version. We kept your techodyssey group alive

[@TechOdyssey]

Nice. I thought the app was closed

[@Atmarixx]

The prosumer version, yes. We're on tge business one. Our contact (you may know his name) said sales shouldn't bother with us because they'll see how few accounts we have on our license.

[@lchiasson]

Totally agree. Loved all my Blackberry's over the years. I still love the keyboard phones so I am currently using a Unihertz Titan. I sure hope for a Titan 2 or equivalent.

[@theperfumepilgrim]

Innovation forced us to move on, but honestly, as you said, I wish we could go back in time or lived in an alternative universe where BlackBerry were still manufacturing phones. I really miss BlackBerry, and I honestly would still be using it if they hadn't stopped manufacturing phones. BB10 was ahead of its time and looking at the iOS and Android today, you can see that BB10 somewhat inspired them.

[@Archiekins8210]

That was a great phone. Loved it... wish a new updated version is available...

[@Hector_RG]

I miss the red blinking notification light, why can't other companies bring it back?

[@maddoxthegreatcanecorso7150]

Passport was one of my favourites of All Time

[@andrewstewart-wright4131]

I want my Blackberry back working properly! Crowd funding might be the way to go!

[@lilPopper]

You know what I miss about Blackberry other than the keyboard? Security. We sacrificed our privacy for gimmicks.

[@love26638202]

Have you review Clicks keyboard?

[@TechOdyssey]

Yes. I did. I have a video about it.

[@jandcco]

I miss my Blackberrys so much, I have a box with probably 40 BB phones from over the years. They were so far ahead of the times and they thought like a lot of us do that all this fartbook, ticticcrap and so on is just crap, unfortunately most of the world uses their phones for stupid stuff and not productive honest reasons and that is where BB went down,

[@LolCowLife]

I agree. I believe that the style of blackberry keyboard phones are still relevant. I think of the add on case that is made by click that adds a keyboard to the iPhone. They are so popular. It is so annoying that we don't have a keyboard phone that is current. I don't consider the Unihertz Titan as current. It runs Android 9 or 10 I believe.

[@muttaking354]

Hi, I have been following you for years, I was thinking if I could contact Blackberry for a plan to revive the brand, is it possible to contact them in Waterloo?

[@TechOdyssey]

No clue. Never tried before.

[@rasmusjuul3004]

I get these sad BlackBerry periods as well where I am trying to figure out a way where I could use the Bold 9000 😮‍💨

[@Vonslik69]

Great segment Adam? I agree, Blackberry 10 was the perfect OS? It was everything you needed...and nothing you didn't? A clean, uncluttered, smooth OS that I personally and painfully miss? I own two Blackberry Passports ( Piano Black and Silver Edition) that I purchased from Blackberry direct via Waterloo 8 months before they stopped selling devices on their website many years ago? I still have them and I miss them both? I still write first draft scripts and jot ideas on them and will be needing to replace the battery on the Silver Edition, but I would happily go back to Blackberry in a heart beat if they decided to make a return🎉.

[@joaquinperez9146]

I'm still using my Key2 at the end of 2024 but hoping for a new high quality keyboard phone. I know I'll just be a waiting MF as my friends like to say, but maybe one day it'll happen. After getting a new battery, everything on the Key2 still works fine except for no more Google Wallet and the space bar is starting to quit. I never had the Passport but absolutely loved my Priv despite its weak battery and bad CPU.

[@Scarvaldi]

The spacebar of both my wife's and my KeyONE started to not work properly after about a year or so, but later they both normalized and work fine til this day. Sounds strange, I know, but it's just like that.

[@d.neilmckay7709]

Who did you get to replace the battery, or did you do it yourself? Also, is it a duplicate or approximate replacement? My Key2 still works beautifully except for a few apps that need more than Android 8.1, but I can use the website for them.

[@joaquinperez9146]

@@d.neilmckay7709 not sure if my new battery is a duplicate or proximate replacement, but my phone's usage time is all day and into tomorrow just like new. I got mine replaced at a local phone repair shop so apparently there are still batteries out there

[@FutureTrunks7]

I think it would be awesome if they made a horizontal slide out keyboard case that also acted like a battery pack and also tilted/pivoted up and down to adjust the phone angle. or maybe even something like a Magic Keyboard but for our phones?

[@bullmarketwatch]

I wish a new Blackberry passport would come out again...even if it's android...I'll take it

[@judyheinz3256]

I'd buy one for sure!!!

[@michaeltylerstewart]

What're your thoughts on the Xeta One now that it's available for international preorder

[@TechOdyssey]

I’m not familiar with it

[@jennaarnaz7125]

What is the Minimal Phone. Did i miss something????

[@CrusoesQuest]

an black and white e-ink android phone with a physical keyboard, might be a start of something..

[@vincentkong07029]

Passport has been perfect for me. Unfortunately, the battery life hasn't been holding up.

[@SheilaHensley]

I totally missed the Blackberry phase. I know I'd love typing on it.

[@juanjo322]

What I miss the most about blackberry devices is the accuracy in typing, I rarely had any typing issues or mistakes when using a BlackBerry device. The other thing that I really enjoyed and miss about blackberry is the software. First and Foremost how easy it was to navigate Around your device and find any particular item at lightning fast speeds. Secondly, I genuinely miss the typing there is absolutely nothing that comes even remotely close to typing on a physical keyboard with such great accuracy. It’s funny how some smart phone still can’t correct a simple word such as the word "the" or the true duck word 😂

[@teddysdadcory]

We’ve come so far forward we fell off the edge.

[@CryptoKang]

Is there a way to transfer all data (I mean everything including app data and email logins) from an old passport to a newer one?

[@TechOdyssey]

I don’t know

[@franciscogarcia7788]

Me encanta el passport, tal vez algún día. Saludos desde Barcelona

[@LoboWarriorForever]

What are your thoughts on Windows 10 mobile or Windows 8 phone?

[@P3l0N3000]

dude if you start a fund...You have the people to help out for a decent qwerty keyboard. I would help out lol

[@RonnieRockafella]

I remember going to tmobile & getting my first smart phone, I ended up choosing the HTC Amaze 4g over the Samsung S2. I didn't know much about smart phones then but it was a great phone & I was amazed 😆 Also the struggle back then where every manufacturer had their own charging connector 😢 I'm happy now after nearly 20yrs the world has picked one universal usb-c standard 😀 I never had a blackberry but I did have this phone with a flip open keyboard it might of been a sidekick but can't remember the name of it. I just remember it looked like a normal phone little square screen on top with push # buttons on the bottom but you could turn the phone sideways & push the top part of the entire phone up to reveal a full-size keyboard which was cool but then you only had the little square screen on the top left of the phone aghh the good old days 😊

[@lev3k]

alternately, learn to use a twiddler and have a portable bluetooth keyboard with all of your phones

[@TheTrader311]

Anybody want my silver edition it's just sadly sitting in a drawer 😭

[@blueperrymuffin]

I'll take it😅

[@asf9114]

yeah why not

[@mindofme-ec1kf]

I'll take it

[@braillynn]

How much?

[@KaranSingh-qk8eb]

I am from India. Can you give it to me ? I’ll bear the shipping cost too

[@maximec6678]

There are Unihertz phones. Unfortunately, they are not up to date, and I'm not sure if Unihertz will make new 5g pkb phones.

[@douglassherman4466]

I still rock my Unihertz Titan Slim phone. As a productivity tool, it does pretty well compared to any other touch screen phone once you get used to the keyboard.

[@maximec6678]

I also own a titan slim. I like it but at the same time I wish Unihertz took themselfs seriously and delivered updates to their phones. Maybe some software company could get the phones produced by unihertz and manage the software side.

[@erick-gd7wo]

Deep inside us who had keypad phone will fondly reminisce how simple the technology was and wish for similar design with 75% functionality, whether it is Blackberrys, Nokia, etc. Nokia try it but there are too many things are compromised, especially OS and camera. They could've used old Symbian s60 v3 but instead use s30... sigh...

[@2001MBKBooster]

The BlackBerry Passport was, hands down, the best smartphone I've ever owned. It was a joy to type on and to field calls. Too bad BlackBerry tired to compete with Android and iOS with their own operating system. While BB10 was very good and ahead of its time, there were very third party applications and that is what ultimately led to the company's downfall.

[@amansour]

How can I join that Signal chat? I'd love to join the community

[@josephfiorentino2765]

BlackBerry main office was in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada!!!

[@ChadAndChill]

I fire up my Nokia 1520 every once in awhile and stare at it😂

[@HenG20]

I've been following the Xeta Phone One. There seems to be a small resurgence of physical keys 🤞😊🍀

[@Cryptid71]

Tech Odyssey I would love your opinion on this now that we have a generation of kids being raised by parents who are often on their devices do you think that generation will be less apt to be glued to their phones? Oftentimes we see in society when one generation does something too much the next generation tens to do it less. For example here in Japan my parents generation worked absolutely crazy hours and you're seeing more and more people my generation not willing to do that or going off and getting creative and doing their own thing so they can actually raise their family and not work 80 hours a week.

[@scotty666tt]

The thing is in the next five years I won't be interested in cell phones and all the cell phone channels will be gone,hope not but you know how these things work

[@_TPE_TW_]

The one blackberry I didn't buy and still regret to this day

[@dorothy135]

You Tube is giving me fits trying to post a comment. I had made a post and deleted it as I asked if you had ever heard of Clicks and saw you mentioned it. I tried Blackberry along the way - I think it was the Blackberry Bold. I did not keep it. I recall it having issues. I tried a Palm Pre. That was about my entire experience with physical keyboards. I had a hard time with onscreen keyboards, but eventually adjusted. I am not sure I want a physical keyboard back. But I was not a big Blackberry legacy user.

[@dandesjardins2552]

Still have my blackberry Passport white in its box ,kept it for StoryMaker

[@rebel4721]

Blackberry classic hardware + Android Os with Blackberry UI (like Samsung's One UI) would be perfect. Blackberry was the pinnacle of phone design; nothing else has come close since.

[@RadziejewskiMaciej]

Still using Q 10 and Key 2

[@musical1978]

Bring it back!!!!

[@bj133]

It is way beyond my technical skill set but if it gets me a good keyboard I would be more than happy to help with funding. I still can't type on glass.

[@richardberesford1422]

I miss blackberry phones.

[@scotty666tt]

There some dude i seen on Reddit that had A10 running on it,and it's legit ,crazy

[@ronaldsavard1663]

I also have a Nokia x02, it's battery was out of this world.

[@jasonaz7310]

Send a Porsche phone to the guys at Minimal for V2. I really think those guys are onto something.

[@aldengeyer660]

If it had the screen ratio of a zfolds inner screen, I'd say they'd be right on the money in making a keyboard phone again.

[@Cryptid71]

I'm sorry but I disagree with your title. As someone who came from using blackberries to now getting to use s24 Ultras the last thing we need is physical keyboards. I think a little bit of Boomer tech Odyssey is seeping through lol But nonetheless love the video