PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Here's What the BlackBerry-Android Phone Reportedly Looks Like

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Rumors have been swirling about an Android-powered BlackBerry for months, and now we may have our first look at it.

CrackBerry over the weekend posted renders of the so-called BlackBerry Venice slider, hinting that the phone will feature an Android version of the messaging app BlackBerry Hub, which pulls together your email and social media, along with an 18-megapixel camera and Chromecast support.

In terms of design, the images suggest that the upcoming handset will share one feature with Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge: A screen that slopes down on both sides. The device will also reportedly "bring along with it the same glass weave pattern found on the BlackBerry Z30 and possibly a stainless steel frame," CrackBerry said.

BlackBerry Hub Android

Besides that, the phone will reportedly offer one sought-after feature for BlackBerry users: Chromecast support. This would be a big upgrade, considering BlackBerry 10 has no Chromecast access.

CrackBerry said the images are "presumably internal renders," but warned that it could not confirm their accuracy with 100 percent confidence. "Until BlackBerry gets around to commenting on the Venice slider, all of this should be considered rumors," the site said.

Meanwhile, other recent rumors indicate that the device will have a slide-out physical keyboard, although you can't see that from CrackBerry's renderings.

BlackBerry last month fueled rumors of a possible Android tie-up by announcing a partnership with Google to "set new standards in enterprise mobile security for organizations deploying Android devices." The companies are integrating BlackBerry's BES12 security software with Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop mobile operating system and Google Play for Work.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

Read full bio