BlackBerry OS update delivers a personal assistant to your phone

Now available for download

BlackBerry OS update delivers a personal assistant to your phone



Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry is starting to roll out the BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 to existing BlackBerry devices. The software is now arriving on the BlackBerry Passport, Z3, Z10, Q10, and Q5 as well as the Porsche Design P'9983 and "9982. With the update, BlackBerry users will get a number of new features including BlackBerry Assistant, BlackBerry Blend and dual app stores.
If you've been jealous of Siri, Cortana or the Google Now digital voice assistants on your friends' phones, BlackBerry is making up for it with BlackBerry Assistant on OS 10.3.1. BlackBerry Assistant can be used with voice or text commands to help users manage emails, contacts, calendars and native BlackBerry 10 applications.
BlackBerry says Assistant is intelligent enough to know how to respond to you. BlackBerry Assistant will respond with voice if spoken to, and it will display the results to your queries if you're typing text. Additionally, if you're accessing BlackBerry Assistant from Bluetooth, it will respond with additional context because you may not have access to your phone's screen.

Balancing work and play

The update brings new ways for users to balance work and play. With OS 10.3.1, BlackBerry users get access to BlackBerry Blend and two application storefronts.
BlackBerry Blend allows you to see the content of your smartphone on other devices. This way, you won't have to juggle between your phone, computer and tablet. If you're at your Mac or PC, you can check your emails and calendar on your phone from your laptop. iPad and Android tablet owners can use their tablet's larger display to see photos captured on their phone's camera.
The update also preinstalls the Amazon Appstore on your phone, making it easier for BlackBerry owners to download and install Android apps. Additionally, native BlackBerry apps could be downloaded from the BlackBerry App World app store.
For those who forget to silence their ringers during meetings and appointments, a new meeting mode works alongside the calendar app to automatically silence the phone during busy times and turn on the ringer once your meeting is finished.

Back to basics

In addition to being known for its keyboard, BlackBerry users also know older BlackBerry come with keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts save time and help make usage easier. If you own a BlackBerry 10 device with a physical keyboard, like the BlackBerry Q10, you'll now have access to quick shortcuts.
When you press the 'T' key in your BlackBerry Hub, you'll be taken to the top of your inbox. Similarly, pressing the 'B' key will get you to the bottom of your messages.
It's a nice way to navigate around your phone without always having to reach for the touchscreen.

Availability

The update starts rolling out today to customers around the world, subject to carrier approval. The software is already available out of the box on the BlackBerry Classic.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why I Wake Up Early (And 9 Reasons You Should Do So Too)

Here are 9 reasons why I say this: 1. Get a head start When you wake up at 5am, you start your day earlier than 99.9% of the world — hence giving you a head start in your day. This creates a feel-good factor, which, while psychological, creates a host of positive effects (especially for reasons #2 and #3 in the list). After all, a good start is half the battle won. It will motivate you to stay ahead so you can maintain or even widen the lead. For example, my modus operandi when I wake up early is to work on the high-impact tasks right away, as opposed to the small, easy but unimportant tasks. I will also think and work effectively, and strive to end my day earlier so that I can have an early sleep, wake up early the next day, and continue my “head start.” On the whole, I’d say that I’m more forward thinking and proactive in managing my tasks — since I have a head start in my day, I naturally think about how I can be ahead in my work too. On the other hand, when I wake up ...
Read more

Google launches OnHub, a simple, expensive Wi-Fi router

Image
Hate your finicky Wi-Fi router? Google does too, apparently. Google announced Tuesday that it's making a Wi-Fi router called OnHub, which is designed to alleviate the typical frustrations of buggy routers. It is partnering with TP-Link for the $199 router, available for immediate preorder. Google's preorder page already lists it as out of stock. In terms of design, the OnHub doesn't really look like any router before it. It eschews the usual antennas, wires and blinking lights for a large cylindrical shape with just one large light at the top. Google's cylindrical OnHub router. IMAGE: GOOGLE Google thinks there are benefits to this design: In its announcement post, it explains many people keep unsightly routers hidden away under desks and behind TVs where they don't work as well.  If the router is more pleasing to the eye, Google says, people will be more likely to keep it out in the open. A win-win. Within the cy...
Read more

2 iPhone Apps to Manage Expenses and Budget Efficiently

Image
2 iPhone Apps to Manage Expenses and Budget Efficiently Ads by Google While budgeting might not be one of the most exciting things to do (I’m sure a lot of people consider it boring and tedious), it is an extremely important activity that every household should undertake. With budgeting, you are able to plan your financial life and afford things you need and like. In short, proper budgeting lets you enjoy life to the fullest through sound financial planning. And while the task might indeed feel a bit like a chore for some, the good news is that you don’t need to make this a complex process. In fact, there are several apps out there that help people take care of their finances, and some of them allow you to do it in a very simple way, without creating complex online profiles or adding your bank accounts if you don’t want to. So if you want to know more about two such iPhone apps, read along. Pocket Expense Created by developer Appxy, Pocket Expense lets yo...
Read more