Clicks unveils BlackBerry-inspired phone with tactile keyboard in hands-on video

Clicks Technology, a startup preparing to launch its own take on the BlackBerry smartphone, is showing off what it has in store in a new video, released today. The device, known as the Clicks Communicator, was introduced at January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to cater to people who do a lot of work on their phones, like texting and emailing. It's particularly meant to appeal to those who miss the BlackBerry's physical keyboard, which some argue is better for these types of tasks.

Priced at $499, the Communicator looks a lot like a modern-day BlackBerry might, with a screen for viewing and responding to messages, and a tactile, touch-sensitive keyboard below. The phone goes beyond being just a BlackBerry dupe, however, by innovating in other areas. For instance, its clever 'Signal Light' feature offers a light-up button on the side of the phone that can be customized with different colors and light patterns to indicate when you've received messages from certain people, groups, or apps.

It also offers customizable back covers that can be popped off and swapped, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a physical SIM card tray (in addition to an eSIM), expandable microSD storage (up to 2TB), and a tactile switch for turning on or off airplane mode. The Clicks Communicator may also appeal to the growing number of users looking to distance themselves from modern-day smartphones, with their addictive social apps and games. (The company partnered with the Niagara Launcher to provide access to the Android apps it runs).

With the Signal Light, you can safely ignore your phone unless you see a critical notification come through. In the new video, the company shows its pre-production hardware and internal software as a preview of what's to come when the phone begins shipping in the fourth quarter of this year. At CES, TechCrunch was able to get a feel for the Communicator by handling a prototype that was the same size and weight as the device that's preparing to ship at the end of this year.

We found it felt good to hold, not too light or heavy, and was easy to grip. The keys were also fairly clicky, giving it a BlackBerry-like feel, though the team was then planning to slightly adjust the pressure to make the device work better for fast typers. Future videos will go more in-depth into specific Clicks Communicator features, like the Signal Light, Prompt Key, Message Hub, touch-sensitive keyboard, and more.

The Clicks Communicator's focus on productivity and minimalism could resonate with users seeking a more streamlined smartphone experience. By offering a tactile keyboard and customizable features, Clicks is targeting professionals and individuals who value efficiency and simplicity. As the smartphone market continues to evolve, devices like the Clicks Communicator may appeal to those looking for alternatives to the dominant touchscreen models.