First Impressions: The BlackBerry Z10

One of the best parts of about writing mobile tech is the chance to test new products all the time and when the I saw the FedEx package the other day I was super excited because I knew it was the BlackBerry Z10. I have been waiting eagerly for this device to come to AT&T so I could give it test run and now it finally has. I have been using it for a few days and I wanted to give you my first thoughts on this device.

Lets get the specs out of the way:

• 4.2-inch screen
• 1280 ×768-pixel, 356ppi display
• 2GB of RAM
• 16GB internal
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 8MP rear camera
• 1080p video recording
• 2MP front camera
• NFC
•  LTE 4G and UMTS / HSDPA networks.

My first thought when I got it out of the box was simply how good this device felt in my hand at 137.5 g it is not the lightest device out there but this extra weight makes the devices feel solid and not cheap like other devices out there. Also the grippy rubber textured back is a nice touch.

Let's dive right into the new BlackBerry 10 operating system because that is what is really on display here. The good: You can be up and running in under ten minutes and starting to use the device. The bad: You can be up and running in under ten minutes and starting to use the device. Seriously you sign in on all your accounts and that's pretty much it. This OS makes iOS customizations look like like Android device with a different launcher that changes every half hour. It took me longer to create a BlackBerry account than it did set up this phone.

BB10 is smooth and fluid, simple, perfect for business (Perhaps not so much for personal use?) It reminds me of Nokia's MeeGo but locked down and not as polished. You have three main features the "hub" where all your notification go, your last used screen where it holds your last eight apps, and your app screens which is simply all your apps in grid fashion for as many pages as it takes.

The Hub is a great feature! Everything you need to know in one very usable space with your calendar always up top. Last/open apps is great also very easy to use and practical. The app pages while clean is not so great you. You can't "folder" apps so you have look at page after page after page looking for an app if you don't know the name of it.

What I love about this device:

• Universal search
• Quality build
• Simple Easy to Use OS
• Keyboard predictive text is OUTSTANDING
• AT 356ppi the screen is one of the I have ever tested

What is bugging me about this device:

• No swipe gesture to close apps
• No way to mass delete emails
• Lock button on top of device
• Voice command button hard to access

I have A LOT more to say about this device but I want to make sure I experience it fully before sharing. Right now it simply feels like to me a promising young OS that will improve with time. If anyone has any tips for on how to get the most out of this device please leave them in the comments or feel free to send me a tweet directly.  I would love to hear them and make the most of this device test.