CrackBerry
CrackBerry is a Canadian tech media publication covering smartphones, QWERTY/keyboard devices, gaming, smart home, and productivity-focused technology for BlackBerry enthusiasts and mobile tech readers, funded by display advertising and affiliate commerce rather than subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersWaterloo, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What CrackBerry does
CrackBerry is a Canadian tech media publication operating at CrackBerry.com, founded by Kevin Michaluk ('CrackBerry Kevin') and headquartered in Waterloo, Canada. The publication has grown over 15+ years from a BlackBerry-focused enthusiast blog into a horizontal tech-media brand covering smartphones (with a sustained specialty in QWERTY/keyboard devices), mobile accessories, gaming, smart home, computing, security, automotive, AR/VR, and emerging categories such as retro gaming, E Ink, and AI. Its proprietary assets are a content management and publishing platform, the CrackBerry Forums (an active community discussion board for BlackBerry and mobile-tech users), Club CrackBerry (a premium membership tier), an email newsletter, a YouTube channel, a podcast, and an indexed presence across all major social platforms. CrackBerry is privately held by Journey Commerce Inc., the entity that assumed CrackBerry operations following Future PLC's 2020 acquisition of Mobile Nations.
The business model is content-led and free-to-reader. CrackBerry does not sell a paid product or subscription; it monetizes through display advertising placed across the site and its articles, and through affiliate/commission links disclosed on outbound commerce referrals (e.g., to hardware products covered editorially). Distribution is digital-only and global. The audience is persona-driven: tech-savvy consumers seeking curated mobile coverage, BlackBerry/QWERTY loyalists following the 'Bring Back BlackBerry' community movement, and productivity-focused professionals interested in distraction-reducing technology. A distinctive operational feature is the founder's parallel role as Co-Founder and President of Clicks Technology (maker of the Clicks Keyboard accessories and the Clicks Communicator phone) and Co-Founder/Investor in Apostrophy AG (AphyOS / Punkt. MC03) — affiliations that give CrackBerry privileged editorial access and effectively turn the publication into the de facto media channel for a cluster of purpose-built, QWERTY- and privacy-oriented hardware products. CrackBerry also produces extensive editorial coverage of unrelated enterprise and consumer tech (e.g., BlackBerry's enterprise security portfolio, Razer gaming controllers, ModRetro handhelds).
CrackBerry firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CrackBerry
- Legal name
- Journey Commerce Inc.
- Website
- https://crackberry.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CrackBerry is a Canadian tech media publication covering smartphones, QWERTY/keyboard devices, gaming, smart home, and productivity-focused technology for BlackBerry enthusiasts and mobile tech readers, funded by display advertising and affiliate commerce rather than subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CrackBerry industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tech Media Publishing
- NAICS
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (519290)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Open-Source & Developer Communities (BPAMABAM)
Keywords
Where CrackBerry is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waterloo
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CrackBerry business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Display Advertising: The site generates revenue through display advertisements placed throughout the website and articles
- Affiliate/Commission Links: CrackBerry earns commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in articles (disclosed as 'We may earn a commission for purchases using our links')
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
CrackBerry product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CrackBerry is a digital tech media publication that produces and distributes editorial content (news, reviews, first-look videos, podcasts) focused on smartphones, QWERTY/keyboard phones, gaming, smart home, security, computing, and automotive technology. The site is anchored by an active community forum, a membership community (Club CrackBerry), an email newsletter, a YouTube channel, and a podcast, all offered free to readers and monetized through advertising and affiliate commissions.
Product overview
CrackBerry operates CrackBerry.com, a prominent tech media publication covering smartphones, gaming, smart home, security, computing, automotive, and VR/AR. The site is closely associated with CrackBerry Kevin (Kevin Michaluk), who co-founded Clicks Technology — maker of the Clicks Keyboard accessory (physical QWERTY cases for iPhone/Android phones) and the Clicks Communicator (purpose-built Android communicator with full QWERTY keyboard). CrackBerry's editorial coverage includes extensive reporting on BlackBerry's enterprise security products (Spark, QNX, Cyber Suite, Protect Mobile, Persona Desktop, AtHoc, Government Mobility Suite), privacy-focused devices like Punkt MC03 with AphyOS, gaming accessories like Razer Kishi V3, and hosts community forums and the Bring Back BlackBerry movement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CrackBerry.com (Tech Media Publication) Free online tech media publication delivering news, reviews, first-look videos, and editorial coverage of smartphones (especially QWERTY/keyboard phones), gaming, smart home, security, computing, automotive, and AR/VR for tech-savvy consumer readers.
- CrackBerry Forums Active community discussion boards for BlackBerry users and mobile tech enthusiasts to discuss devices, apps, and broader technology topics.
- Club CrackBerry Premium membership community for CrackBerry readers offering exclusive content and community features.
- CrackBerry Email Newsletter Subscription-based email newsletter delivering the latest tech updates, reviews, and CrackBerry editorial content to readers.
- CrackBerry YouTube Channel Official YouTube channel publishing First Look product videos, reviews, and the Bring Back BlackBerry video series for tech enthusiasts.
- CrackBerry Podcast Audio podcast covering tech events (e.g., CES) and CrackBerry editorial topics for on-the-go listener audiences.
Companies that use CrackBerry
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CrackBerry technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability3 records
Feature2 records
CrackBerry partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Clicks TechnologyflagshipKevin Michaluk (CrackBerry Kevin) is Co-founder and President of Clicks Technology. CrackBerry extensively covers Clicks products including the Clicks Keyboard Case and Clicks Communicator. The partnership represents a significant evolution from media coverage to product co-development.
- Apostrophy AGcoreKevin Michaluk is Co-founder and Investor in Apostrophy, which builds AphyOS - a privacy-focused mobile operating system. CrackBerry provides coverage and advocacy for Apostrophy's products including the Punkt. MC03 phone.
- Hofer Studio (Joseph Hofer)coreJoseph Hofer, former BlackBerry Industrial Designer who crafted iconic devices like Bold 9000 and Passport, partnered with Clicks to design the Communicator. CrackBerry covers this collaboration extensively as it represents the BlackBerry legacy in new hardware.
- Punkt.minorPunkt. is a Swiss phone company whose products (MC02, MC03) are featured and reviewed on CrackBerry. CrackBerry provides editorial coverage and exclusives for Punkt. devices, positioning them as privacy-focused alternatives.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CrackBerry competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tom's Guide: Major tech review publication owned by Future PLC (sister property to CrackBerry within Future's portfolio). Overlaps in mobile and accessory reviews but operates as a broad-incumbent generalist publisher.
- Wired: Premium tech and culture publication covering gadgets, security, and digital life. Thematically comparable but positioned as a mass-market editorial brand with significantly larger reach and subscription monetization.
- Engadget: Established consumer-tech publication covering gadgets, mobile, gaming, and entertainment. Comparable in subject matter but competes from a much larger scale and broader audience base.
- The Verge: Major generalist tech media outlet covering consumer electronics, mobile, and culture. Overlaps with CrackBerry's mobile and computing verticals but operates at significantly larger scale and broader editorial scope.
Direct peers
- Android Authority: Mobile-focused tech media publication covering Android smartphones, apps, and accessories. Closely comparable to CrackBerry in target audience (mobile enthusiasts), business model (display advertising and affiliate), and editorial positioning.
- PhoneArena: Long-running smartphone reviews and news site with deep coverage of phone specs, accessories, and mobile carriers. Comparable to CrackBerry in mobile-first editorial focus and enthusiast audience.
- 9to5Google: Niche tech media focused on Google Pixel, Android, and Chrome OS coverage. Comparable audience (mobile-savvy consumers), editorial depth, and ad/affiliate monetization.
- Android Central: Mobile-tech publication historically part of the same Mobile Nations network as CrackBerry before Future PLC's acquisition. Direct peer in covering smartphones, accessories, and mobile productivity with similar content-led GTM.
- GSMArena: Mobile phone specifications, reviews, and news platform serving a global audience of mobile enthusiasts. Directly comparable in product review depth and niche mobile-tech audience.
Emerging players
- XDA Developers: Mobile-tech community and publication with strong forum heritage covering Android, custom ROMs, and productivity. Comparable to CrackBerry in mobile-enthusiast audience and community-driven editorial model, with overlapping QWERTY/physical-keyboard interest.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CrackBerry social profiles
Digital presenceCrackBerry financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CrackBerry leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CrackBerry funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CrackBerry M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CrackBerry
What does CrackBerry do?
CrackBerry is a digital tech media publication that produces and distributes editorial content (news, reviews, first-look videos, podcasts) focused on smartphones, QWERTY/keyboard phones, gaming, smart home, security, computing, and automotive technology. The site is anchored by an active community forum, a membership community (Club CrackBerry), an email newsletter, a YouTube channel, and a podcast, all offered free to readers and monetized through advertising and affiliate commissions.
Is CrackBerry a public or private company?
CrackBerry is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CrackBerry founded?
CrackBerry was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CrackBerry based?
CrackBerry is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada, in the North America region.
How does CrackBerry make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Display Advertising is the primary driver. The others are affiliate/Commission Links.
Who are CrackBerry's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tom's Guide, Wired, Engadget and The Verge. Direct peers are Android Authority, PhoneArena, 9to5Google, Android Central and GSMArena. XDA Developers is listed as an emerging player.
Does CrackBerry have an API?
No public API is recorded for CrackBerry.
What industry is CrackBerry in?
CrackBerry's product category is Tech Media Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMABAM, Open-Source & Developer Communities. Its NAICS code is 519290.