Is this BlackBerry's attempt at an Android smartphone?

BlackBerry is in the news for reportedly getting ready to release a device that's not powered by its own super secure and messaging focused BlackBerry but with rival Google's Android OS. Yes, BlackBerry can already run some sideloaded Android apps on its devices which helps fill the huge app gap the platform has been suffering from but if reports are to be trusted, John Chen and Co. are becoming just another OEM player for Google's OS, at least for this one model.

The new device, codenamed 'Venice,' is said to feature a 5.4-inch screen, 18MP rear camera and 1.8GHz Hexa-core CPU. It is reportedly coming first to AT&T customers in the US. BlackBerry has been collaborating with Samsung on various technologies and there's currently now QWERTY-enabled Androi handset. Since BBM is now cross platform, maybe BlackBerry sees an opening in the Android market. Stay tuned.

Source: Evan Blass (Twitter)

First Impression: BlackBerry Passport redesigned for AT&T

Las Vegas - BlackBerry just redesigned the BlackBerry Passport specifically for AT&T users in the coming year. The makeover is pretty cosmetic and makes the AT&T model less square, more rounded at the corners and with styling that is reminiscent of the BlackBerry Classic. 

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Hands-on with Rogers $80 United States Talk, Text & Data Plan

Roaming charges are the result of a nasty oversight that could have been prevented.

They are often exorbitant fees that creep up like last months cold and, if not taken care of, can ruin what could have been an otherwise wonderful getaway.

You see many of us, in the rush of vacation preparation; forget to call our respective carriers to add that insurance policy.

We then proceed to scream to the high heavens when we use our devices as if we’re home and then proceed to receive a bill with charges that could likely equal the average mortgage payment.

I feel your pain.

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First look at Nokia's Lumia 1520 and the Lumia 2520

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The future of Windows Phone rests in Nokia's Lumia line. As Finland's finest continues to refine its Windows Phone hardware and features, more models have been making waves in the market. All this, while other Windows Phone hardware partners have fallen from the wayside.

The dozen or so OEMs that graced the Microsoft stage when Windows Phone debuted, have left the party, with HTC and Samsung as the last two OEMs to release notable handsets, but that was in 2012. 

While not yet available in Canada, the Lumia 1520 and the Lumia 2520 round out Nokia's pre-acquisition family of devices and here are my impressions after having had a chance to try both devices out.

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