14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re a BlackBerry user, you have probably been waiting to receive the 10.3.1 update on your handset. We were expecting the Canadian company to offer it ever since last month, but for some reason or another the roll-out got pushed back.
BlackBerry 10.3.1 currently comes installed only on the Classic handset, but if you’re not using one, you’ll be happy to know BlackBerry is preparing to roll out the new version on February 19 (as seen at N4BB).
It’s a little later than expected, but we suppose it’s better than never, right? The roll-out of the new update will be global and will include all current in-market BB10 devices.
BlackBerry is trying to fix a bug until February 19
The report says that BlackBerry was supposed to update its devices over the weekend, but sadly a bug causing the involuntary wiping out of the handsets in question was discovered. So the company had to take a step back. Hopefully, until February 19 the device maker will be able to come up with a viable solution for fixing the problem.
What can you expect to see BlackBerry 10.3.1 bring to the table in terms of new features? Well for starters, you’ll finally be able to take advantage of the services of the Siri-like BlackBerry virtual assistant.
The app can do things like sort your email (reading them to you while you’re driving) and calendar or tell you what’s trending on Twitter. The Assistant can also mark emails as being unread and set reminders without leaving the page you’re on.
What you can expect
Other features BlackBerry 10.3.1 comes equipped with include a reverse contrast mode that turns the screen from black on white to white on black. This function might be useful when you don’t want to disturb your significant other who’s sleeping in bed next to you late at night.
The new update also brings in a function allowing you to block certain contacts from calling or texting you. There’s also a way of hiding certain videos or pictures, so it’s safe to let a friend have your phone for a while.
BlackBerry is throwing in a Battery Saving mode which takes notifications out of the equations, deems the screen and cools off the CPU performance.
Last but not least, the update brings Custom Notification to the table, which allows users to set particular ringtones for callers and LED light color for alerts.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope the new build arrives on schedule.
