The battle over the best Android phone heated up this week again with the entirely-expected announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Garnering less interest is the struggling BlackBerry, which recently released its keyboard-centric KEY2, which our Xbox Editor Jez Corden positively reviewed. I, too, have been using the KEY2 for a few weeks, and like it quite a bit. But I'm confused as to why Microsoft and BlackBerry aren't working more closely on this phone. Because they should be.

Productivity, security, and business

I was at the BlackBerry announcement in New York City for the KEY2 and what struck me was how similar its message is compared to Microsoft's. The focus of the KEY2 is letting you get things done quickly and securely while using familiar BlackBerry hardware (even if it is outsourced to device maker TCL) and a physical keyboard. Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more Little bits of the KEY2 all revolved around the idea of safekeeping. For example: Its DTEK security checker.

Privacy Shade makes it hard for onlookers to read your display.

Redactor mode to block sensitive material.

Send photos to a locker, prevent cloud saves.

A locker to hide and secure apps, documents, and photos. You can read the rest for yourself in CrackBerry's in-depth review. The point is the KEY2 does wonders for Android and security in such a way that those who work in sensitive areas for a job can feel much safer and more confident in its data protection.

The broader theme is the KEY2 is not a flashy phone, it's not a consumer-focused Galaxy S9-killer. Heck, it's not even that much of a bargain compared to a OnePlus – but it's a real business phone, built with security and a focus on getting work done when mobile. Stop me if you heard this before ... but that sounds like Microsoft too. BlackBerry KEY2 + Microsoft software = obvious