Every smartphone user loves new updates, and here is some good news for BlackBerry device owners. The latest BB OS 10.2.1 update has started rolling out and is bringing in some new features to the Z10, Z30, Q10, Q5 and the Porsche Design P’9982 smartphones.
The change log includes the following:
Pinch gestures for BlackBerry Hub – The new pinch feature lets you filter your message list in the Hub. You can customize the Hub to show only Unread Messages, Flagged Messages, Draft Messages, Meeting Invites, Sent Messages or Level 1 Alerts. Once you have set it, you can activate it with a pinch gesture on the Hub’s message list.
Updated call UI features – The phone includes a new incoming call screen that lets you swipe to the left to answer or swipe right to ignore a call. New intuitive icons allow you to instantly silence the call, or send a Reply Now response through BBM, SMS or email that you can’t answer the phone right away.
SMS and email groups – You can now create SMS and email groups to send messages to multiple contacts.
Improved lockscreen notifications – You can now open a message that appears on the lock screen and respond to messages much quicker.
Picture password for unlocking – A new unlocking feature has been added which uses a combination of a picture and a number (0-9) of your choice, which you place at a particular point on the image. When you try to unlock the phone, the picture will appear along with a grid of random numbers. To unlock you need to drag the grid so the number you selected overlays the particular point on the image.
Customizable quick settings menu – You can now customize what appears on the settings menu, which looks very similar to the Android notification bar toggles. These include screen brightness, data connections, torch, sound profiles, etc.
Offline browser reading mode – One can save the current web page that they are on for later viewing, even if they are offline or without an internet connection.
Better contact synching – Synching the contacts is now improved as you can now choose the sync source for your contacts. When adding a new contact you can select which sources you want the contact info to sync with, such as the corporate address book, Gmail, or your phone contact list.
Support for Android APK – The new update will allow users to easily install Android apps by just side-loading an APK onto the device, just like an Android smartphone.
Device and battery monitor – A new monitor app has been added which provides details on battery usage, impact of installed apps on battery life and memory usage and storage and also CPU stats. This again, reminded us of Android.
Hindi keyboard – The Z10 and the Z30 will be getting a native Hindi keyboard which will allow you to type in Hindi.
Automatic software updates – The device can automatically check for updates over a Wi-Fi connection and provide you with the latest software.
Enterprise features – Enterprise customers using BES10 version 10.2, will get additional security features and IT policies which will be crucial for regulated industries and for organizations that work with sensitive data.
FM Radio – The new software update finally unlocks the built-in FM radio.
The new update has started rolling out globally and BlackBerry officials in India have confirmed that it will be available in India in the month of January itself.