10 most innovative BlackBerry devices

BlackBerry, formerly known as RIM (Research In Motion), dominated the smartphone market before there was even a term for it. For 20 years, they’ve reinvented the way people communicate. Today, the battle revolves around Apple and Google as BlackBerry carves out a niche in the secure hardware and software market. Yet some of the greatest innovations have come from this Canadian company.

Here are the 10 most innovative devices released by BlackBerry at that time.

1 in 10


1. Interactive pager (Released 1996) – Allow users to send two-way alphanumeric messages instead of just receiving numbers like most pagers did. The first branded “BlackBerry” was the 850 model and 20 years later the basic design is still in use.

2 out of 10


2. BlackBerry 5810 (Released in 2002) – The first model with phone capabilities (via headset). Later models removed the need for headphones and added a color display. This version added messaging functionality, Java applications and worked on 2G networks, opening the field to more operators. The addictive opportunity to surf the web and send e-mails from anywhere has popularized the term “CrackBerry”.

3 out of 10


3. Pearl (Released 2004) – Named for the white pearl-shaped trackball that eventually replaced the watch face on all BlackBerry devices. In order to compete with candybar phones like the Nokia 3310, the Blackberry Pearl included the SureType predictive text algorithm which was smarter and faster than the ubiquitous T9 SMS system.

4 out of 10


4. Curve (Released May 2007) – Going back to the traditional form factor and adding a trackball, the BlackBerry Curve was popular among the consumer market. Available in a variety of colors, it was often inexpensive or free on contract. In the years that followed, iPhone and Android battled it out at home as the Curve helped RIM maintain a strong presence in emerging markets.

5 out of 10


Fat (Released May 2008) – Made with premium components and exquisite workmanship, this has become BlackBerry’s most popular design. Supported by the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, it was a highly sought after model by professionals who needed security in their mobile device. It was even taken out of retirement after BlackBerry 10 became the norm.

6 out of 10


6. Storm (Released November 2008) – In direct competition with the iPhone, the BlackBerry Storm ditched the keyboard for a 3.25-inch touchscreen. A poor user experience challenged the idea that RIM could do anything competitive. The Storm 2 and Torch follow-up hasn’t changed their mind.

7 out of 10


7. Playbook (Released 2011) – Following Apple’s lead again, RIM has released this little tablet. The Playbook was aimed at the corporate sector with competitive hardware, HDMI video output, and support for Android apps. Initially well received, it never gained traction.

8 out of 10


8. Z10 and Q10 (Released early 2013) – The first devices with the rebuilt BlackBerry 10 operating system. Very high adoption rate in the business sector and good reviews, but delays pushed the release back for over a year. Even renaming the company as “BlackBerry” may have been too little, too late to save their reputation.

9 out of 10


9. Passport (Released September 2014) – Redesigning the traditional layout, BlackBerry released a square design. Risky and unfriendly, it sold well with BlackBerry devotees who appreciated the larger typing space.

10 of 10


10. Private (Released November 2015) – BlackBerry’s first Android device. While most branded Android devices have “bloatware”, this one includes some customization that makes Android more secure. The big draw for Android users was the first physical keyboard on an Android in years, and the one from the company that makes the best keyboards. No more BlackBerry OS devices are planned for this year, but two more Android devices are. The Priv will likely become the new standard within 20 years of innovative design.