Watch BlackBerry CEO John Chen struggle to work the company's new phone

2 months ago

BlackBerry taking the plunge and creating their first phone that runs Android was always going to take some getting used to for many die-hard users – even including the company’s head John Chen apparently.

In a video hands-on showing off the much rumoured Priv for the first time, Chen is clearly enthusiastic about his firm’s new device – but also struggles to navigate it, as well as deal with some lag issues.

Warning: this is quite painful to watch.

In Chen’s defence, this is the first time BlackBerry has used Android, so a level of unfamiliarity is to be expected. But at the same time, as CEO, you would expect him to have a working knowledge of his company’s newest device.

Also, it would help if his technicians gave him a phone that had been properly set up for an on-camera demo.

As for the Priv itself, this was BlackBerry finally admitting something that thanks to endless leaks most of us already knew; that they were making an Android phone. Not only that, but one that keeps the physical keyboard in smartphones alive, thanks to the slider the device has built in.

This is the phone BlackBerry hopes will reverse their fortunes after several years of struggles. A phone that has a focus on privacy is likely to appeal given the seemingly endless cyber attacks reported each day, and the concern they create among users.

Whether an increase in the number of apps available and sliding keyboard are enough to bring customers will only be known for sure once the Priv goes on sale later this year.