Official roll out of BlackBerry 10.3.1 begins, brings BlackBerry Blend, Assistant and thousands of apps

BlackBerry has started rolling out BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 globally for Blackberry 10 devices including BlackBerry Passport, BlackBerry Z3, BlackBerry Z30, BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10, BlackBerry Q5, BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9983 and P’9982 smartphones. BlackBerry Classic that was released recently in December comes pre-loaded with BlackBerry 10.3.1.

The latest update brings with it several new enhancements and features including BlackBerry Blend and BlackBerry Assistant as well as improvements in BlackBerry Hub, battery, camera, calendar, multimedia and much more. The new OS version will also give the user access to thousands of apps through two app stores – the BlackBerry World storefront and the Amazon Appstore. The BlackBerry 10.3.1 also features an instant action bar and updated icons.

BlackBerry Blend will let you access your BlackBerry phone’s messaging and other content such as documents, contacts, calendar and media on your computer or tablet. It works on many OS including Windows, Android, Mac and iOS.

 BlackBerry Assistant is an intelligent voice-activated personal assistant like Google Now, Siri and Cortana. It can be used for text and voice commands and assists the user in managing both work and personal tasks such as email, contacts, calendar and other apps.

Then there’s the BlackBerry Hub with Instant Actions. It helps the users to better manage all their conversations including texts, emails, phone calls, BBM and social media. With Instant Actions users can instantly organize their Inbox without accessing each individual message and quickly change their communication mode from email to SMS, voice call or meeting invitation.

The BlackBerry 10.3.1 update also brings with it other features including time saving keyboard shortcuts, new camera functions, boost to battery life, better sound media, ability to add songs, photos or videos to favorites for quick access, new meeting mode option and weekly agenda view in calendar and BBM meetings to work smarter.

BlackBerry 10.3.1 has started rolling out in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Download notification will be received in the BlackBerry Hub.

 

Source BlackBerry

Official roll out of BlackBerry 10.3.1 begins, brings BlackBerry Blend, Assistant and thousands of apps

Blackberry Passport may support 4K video recording soon

Canadian tech major Blackberry is launching its new flagship, the BlackBerry Passport this month. A new report suggests that the BlackBerry is testing out the 4K video recording feature on its Passport phone. However, this feature will not be available on the device at the time of its launch in September.

According to CrackBerry, if the testing is successful, then the 4K video recording feature will be added to the BlackBerry Passport along with the BlackBerry 10.3.1 OS update. This information has been shared by @DHabkirk on Twitter. He has also posted a screenshot supporting the claim.

New 4K Device Screen Support in 10.3.1? No. 4K Video Recording on the Passport, yes. pic.twitter.com/juVQ04tP4o

— DHabkirk (@DHabkirk) August 29, 2014

Previously leaked specs indicate that the BlackBerry Passport will have a 13MP primary rear camera with auto-focus, optical image stabilization, f/2.0 lens, back side illumination and an LED Flash. The camera will have 1080p HD video recording at 60fps, 6DOF video stabilization, 5x digital zoom, continuous and touch to focus, and image stabilization.

The addition of 4K video capture feature to the BlackBerry Passport is not really surprising as the camera module in the device has been rumored to support 4K.  A few months back, BlackBerry had mentioned on its blackberry.icanmakeitbetter.com site that it was toying with the idea of adding the 4K video format to the smartphone.

You can have a look at the video below to see the BlackBerry Passport in action at 1080p:

Blackberry Passport may support 4K video recording soon