BlackBerry has rolled out an update to the BlackBerry 10 OS, releasing version 10.2.1 globally through operators. While it may seem like a smaller incremental update as compared to the move from 10.1 to 10.2, in reality 10.2.1 brings several new enhancements to BlackBerry 10 and is mostly focused on the platform’s core USP i.e productivity. Interestingly quite a few of the new features like speed dial for physical QWERTY keyboards or the ability to delete messages locally or on the server (or both) were available the older legacy BlackBerry 7 OS and have been belatedly brought to BlackBerry 10. Here’s what has changed.
This is big news because most users were not comfortable with the earlier sideloading process. The Android runtime supported is 4.2.2, so a small proportion of Android apps may not work on BlackBerry 10.2.1. For instance, India Against Spam, a very useful Android app that automates the complicated process of sending complaints on spam SMS and calls in India doesn’t work on BlackBerry 10 since the app can’t access the call/SMS history on BlackBerry 10. But most apps we’ve used, from Google Maps to Instagram to games like Temple Run, Candy Crush Saga and even niche apps like Adda for managing co-operative housing societies work perfectly well. With this, BlackBerry has gone a long way towards solving the app problem on the platform. BlackBerry has refused to comment on speculation that BlackBerry World will feature a new section for Android APKs alone. But media reports have said that BlackBerry is making a renewed pitch to Android developers to offer Android apps on BlackBerry World.
Customisable pinch gesture to filter BlackBerry Hub
While BlackBerry Hub is a great single-point communication hub that includes e-mail, instant messaging, social networks, breaking news and more, a new feature lets users instantly filter the message list. Users can now customise the Hub to show only Unread Messages, Flagged Messages, Drafts, Meeting Invites, Sent Messages or Level 1 Alerts, and can activate it with a pinch gesture on the Hub’s message list. The idea is to quickly see what’s most important and deal with it first.
Quick language switch
While BlackBerry 10 has always allowed users to type in three languages simultaneously with auto-correct working for all three, the update allows users to switch languages quickly by using the comma key. Significant for Indian users, the update automatically changes the keyboard itself to Hindi when you type in a Hindi word such as ‘pranam‘. There is full keyboard support for Hindi on 10.2.1 and it is a delight to type in something like “Kya yaar where are you?” without a break since BlackBerry 10 auto-corrects in Hinglish and English simultaneously.
Cost management
A new option allows users to stay in control of data charges when roaming. Users can choose to download only message headers when roaming and opt to resize image attachments (original size, medium or small) to minimise data usage when roaming.
Direct access to APKs
While BlackBerry won’t talk much about this and interestingly completely ignored it in the official media release, the biggest new feature is that users no longer need to convert an APK to a BAR before sideloading an Android app. Now, users can download APKs to the local storage and it will be converted on the fly to a BlackBerry BAR file, ready to be installed. While Google Play cannot be accessed directly, third party Android stores like the 1Mobile app store or the Amazon Appstore that offer several apps can be installed and users can directly access apps from these curated stores rather than look for them separately.
Calendar enhancements
Users can now go to a specific date on the calendar by tapping an icon on the top right of the screen and selecting a date. There’s a visual notification option to let meeting participants know you are running late. In any meeting entry the user can select the ‘I will be late’ option, and set the amount of time they are running late by and communicate it to all meeting participants. The new update also provides an option for instantly creating a follow-up meeting, and if users have the Cisco WebEx Meetings app installed, they can also schedule WebEx meetings through the Calendar app now.
Battery life indicator
When the peek gesture (a swipe upwards from the bottom bezel) is used, the battery icon transforms into a battery percentage indicator. When the smartphone is locked only the battery percentage indicator is shown now rather than the visual battery icon where it is tougher to gauge exact amount of power left.
This is big news because most users were not comfortable with the earlier sideloading process. The Android runtime supported is 4.2.2, so a small proportion of Android apps may not work on BlackBerry 10.2.1. For instance, India Against Spam, a very useful Android app that automates the complicated process of sending complaints on spam SMS and calls in India doesn’t work on BlackBerry 10 since the app can’t access the call/SMS history on BlackBerry 10. But most apps we’ve used, from Google Maps to Instagram to games like Temple Run, Candy Crush Saga and even niche apps like Adda for managing co-operative housing societies work perfectly well. With this, BlackBerry has gone a long way towards solving the app problem on the platform. BlackBerry has refused to comment on speculation that BlackBerry World will feature a new section for Android APKs alone. But media reports have said that BlackBerry is making a renewed pitch to Android developers to offer Android apps on BlackBerry World.
Customisable pinch gesture to filter BlackBerry Hub
While BlackBerry Hub is a great single-point communication hub that includes e-mail, instant messaging, social networks, breaking news and more, a new feature lets users instantly filter the message list. Users can now customise the Hub to show only Unread Messages, Flagged Messages, Drafts, Meeting Invites, Sent Messages or Level 1 Alerts, and can activate it with a pinch gesture on the Hub’s message list. The idea is to quickly see what’s most important and deal with it first.
Quick language switch
While BlackBerry 10 has always allowed users to type in three languages simultaneously with auto-correct working for all three, the update allows users to switch languages quickly by using the comma key. Significant for Indian users, the update automatically changes the keyboard itself to Hindi when you type in a Hindi word such as ‘pranam‘. There is full keyboard support for Hindi on 10.2.1 and it is a delight to type in something like “Kya yaar where are you?” without a break since BlackBerry 10 auto-corrects in Hinglish and English simultaneously.
Cost management
A new option allows users to stay in control of data charges when roaming. Users can choose to download only message headers when roaming and opt to resize image attachments (original size, medium or small) to minimise data usage when roaming.
Direct access to APKs
While BlackBerry won’t talk much about this and interestingly completely ignored it in the official media release, the biggest new feature is that users no longer need to convert an APK to a BAR before sideloading an Android app. Now, users can download APKs to the local storage and it will be converted on the fly to a BlackBerry BAR file, ready to be installed. While Google Play cannot be accessed directly, third party Android stores like the 1Mobile app store or the Amazon Appstore that offer several apps can be installed and users can directly access apps from these curated stores rather than look for them separately.
Users can now go to a specific date on the calendar by tapping an icon on the top right of the screen and selecting a date. There’s a visual notification option to let meeting participants know you are running late. In any meeting entry the user can select the ‘I will be late’ option, and set the amount of time they are running late by and communicate it to all meeting participants. The new update also provides an option for instantly creating a follow-up meeting, and if users have the Cisco WebEx Meetings app installed, they can also schedule WebEx meetings through the Calendar app now.
Battery life indicator
When the peek gesture (a swipe upwards from the bottom bezel) is used, the battery icon transforms into a battery percentage indicator. When the smartphone is locked only the battery percentage indicator is shown now rather than the visual battery icon where it is tougher to gauge exact amount of power left.
