BlackBerry OS 10.2 tentative release
BlackBerry 10.2 has landed with the arrival of the BlackBerry Z30, the company's new 5-inch handset. You can expect BB 10.2 to roll out to other BB10 devices in October, bringing a run of new features and tweaks to your BlackBerry user interface.
Here we're quickly running through the new os features that will be coming to your handset, making day-to-day use better, There are some noticeable improvement in performance on the Z30 over the Z10, but we can't say how much is down to software and how much down to hardware until we have a fully updated Z10 later in the month.
New look
First up, although much of BB10.2 is the same as 10.1, there's been a change to some of the backgrounds to make them black rather than white, for example in the system settings menu.
This gives the icons more punch, and setting a Z30 with BB10.2 alongside a Z10 with BB10.1, the new software makes the old look very dated.
It's perhaps strange then that this change doesn't apply to all the native BlackBerry apps: head into the settings of BlackBerry Hub, for example, and it looks the same as before with the white background and blue top bar.
Many smartphone manufacturers are now following the trend of using dark backgrounds because it doesn't need as much power as lighter ones, therefore prolonging battery life, although it is really just a change in colour scheme that gives everything a lift here.
The 10.2 update is a big one for BlackBerry users, there have been a number of 10.1 updates, but beyond custom notifications, changes have been rather minor. The 10.2 update offers a large range of interface and feature improvements, alongside performance improvements.
The main news that existing BlackBerry Z10, Q10 and Q5 owners will be gnashing at the bit for, is that as part of the Z30 launch BlackBerry dropped the bombshell that they can expect a BlackBerry 10.2 update mid-October, adding “Subject to carrier approvals” and it's likely to include regional rollouts too.
BBM has been enhanced in an interesting and ubiquitous way, now when a BBM message lands it doesn't matter what app you're using, you'll get a preview of the message. You're also able to instantly reply to that message from within whatever that app may be. This preview system extends to the lockscreen, so with a couple of taps you can preview messages and notifications while the phone is locked.
BlackBerry has also taken the chance to apply some heavy spit and polish to the already decent interface. This covers all manner of areas such as refinement of the copy/past selector, refinement of many general interface elements with better buttons and sliders, and new quick settings on the Home Screen.
It's human nature to talk about the weather, it's a universal and it effects us all, which is why everyone will be glad the default BB10 Weather App has been given a slick new coat of paint. It's not the only one either, app updates extend to the Clock App, which has only just received multiple alarms. There's a new dedicated Evernote app, which spins its functionality out of the Remember app. Talking of which, the Remember app itself has received various improvement and now has a much needed search option.
A trick of BlackBerry 10 not talked about enough, is its ability to run Android apps. Until now the Android Player has been limited to supporting Android 2.3, which is starting to cause issues. With BB10.2 the Android Player has had a complete overhaul, reciving a much needed performance boost and support for Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, opening up a whole boatload of fresh up-to-date apps.
It's an extensive collection of updates and goes further than what's listed here with tweaks affecting almost every part. On top of this little lot is a new file sharing screen, WiFi Direct connections, updated NFC Tags, better screenshot system, quick-sharing for photos, basic photo editing, new keyboard sounds, reject caller texts, tweaked browser interface and better start-up guides. 3G think this is an impressive update, BlackBerry just needs to convince the world it should be buying its phones once more.
When BlackBerry introduced the Z30 a couple weeks back they also noted that “BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10 and BlackBerry Q5 smartphones beginning mid-October.’
Blackberry OS 10.2. Leaks For All Devices (Q5/Q10/Z10/Z30)
Carriers have refused this release and we’ll have to wait another week for the gold release.
Now that the Z30 has been released and that we’re getting closer to an official launch of OS 10.2 on all devices, we’re starting to see leaks which can be installed on any BlackBerry 10 device, but this leaks are unofficial
WARNING: I recommend you do a hard reset after having restored your data. To do a hard reset, just press and hold “Volume Up” and “Volume Down” at the same time until you see the BlackBerry logo appear on your screen (the screen will first go dark first).
Here are the links:
Android Runtime for BlackBerry 10 Devices
So, with a title like that you're probably wondering what exactly an 'Unlocked Android Runtime' is. Well, the Android runtime on BlackBerry 10 has certain limitations placed on it by BlackBerry so that they can control what things can and cannot be done within the Android environment. In the past, folks who sideloaded had to make use of debug tokens in order to get Android sideloads running better but no more.
With this version of the Android runtime, the limitations have been removed and apps that previously worked better with a debug token no longer need them. Long story short, this will improve how your Android apps run and it reduces some of the hassle involved with sideloading Android apps onto your BlackBerry 10 device. The file itself consists of two .bar files, which you'll need to sideload using your preferred method.
Like all things, you do this at your own risk. Although it's been tested by various folks before release, it is in no way official and we're not responsible for what happens with your device should you decide to load it. As for supported devices, all BlackBerry 10.2 devices are supported here including all your STL100-1 users.
Android runtime runs android apps better then....android
ReplyDeletebut you must been running BlackBerry OS 10.2
DeleteThat's pretty sweet. I would love to see Blackberry make a come back
ReplyDeleteIt's like having a car using multiple energy sources... You use what you wish... and it still works good
ReplyDeleteyou are going to love your Z10 even more
ReplyDelete