BlackBerry OS 10.3.1
BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 is now official. BlackBerry

Following a series of leaks, the BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 is now official! BlackBerry has announced the global roll-out of its newest BlackBerry operating system version for the existing BlackBerry 10 powered devices.

After downloading and installing the latest BlackBerry OS 10 iteration, users will gain access to the new enhancements that include BlackBerry Blend, battery boosting technology, improvements to BlackBerry Hub, calendar, camera, multimedia and more. It also offers access to tons of apps through both the BlackBerry World storefront and the Amazon Appstore.

The new OS has been ushered in with a fresh look that incorporates updated icons and an instant action bar, so that most commonly used functions are at the centre of the screen.

Apart from these, the new OS brings BlackBerry Assistant, the company's first digital assistant, which can be used with voice and text commands - Apple's Siri-like virtual assistant that was rumoured earlier.

Availability

BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 has started rolling out to BlackBerry users around the world from 19 February starting with Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific to the following list of devices running BlackBerry 10.

Supported devices

  • BlackBerry Passport
  • BlackBerry Z30
  • BlackBerry Z3
  • BlackBerry Z10
  • BlackBerry Q10
  • BlackBerry Q5
  • BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 and P'9982
BlackBerry OS 10.3.1
Screenshot of BlackBerry OS 10.3.1.1565 on unlocked BlackBerry Z3. BlackBerryOS

You will receive a notification in the BlackBerry Hub once the software is ready for download. If automatic software download is enabled, you will be notified in the BlackBerry Hub that the software is downloading. Check out the new features in BlackBerry OS 10.3.1.

BlackBerry Blend - BlackBerry Blend brings messaging and content that is on your BlackBerry smartphone to your computer and tablet. Get instant message notifications, read and respond to your work and personal email, BBM and text messages, and access your documents, calendar, contacts and media in real time on whatever device you are on, powered by your BlackBerry. BlackBerry Blend works across multiple operating systems including Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.

Dual app storefronts, offering hundreds of thousands of apps:

BlackBerry World – BlackBerry World showcases essential business and productivity apps for professionals looking to drive efficient communications and collaboration.

Amazon Appstore – The Amazon Appstore is the place to download popular Android apps and games including favorites like Candy Crush Saga, Pinterest, Kindle and Cut the Rope 2.

BlackBerry Assistant – The BlackBerry Assistant is BlackBerry's first digital assistant and can be used with voice and text commands to help users manage work and personal email, contacts, calendar and other native BlackBerry 10 applications. It's the only smartphone assistant on the market today that can access both personal and work content in your work perimeter. BlackBerry Assistant intelligently determines how to respond to you based on how you interact with it – if you type, it responds silently, if you speak, it speaks back and if you activate over Bluetooth, it speaks back with additional context because it assumes you might not have access to the screen.

BlackBerry Hub with Instant Actions – The one place to manage all your conversations – email, texts, BBM, phone calls, social media and more – just got better. The new instant actions feature allows you to quickly organize and action your inbox without having to go into each individual message or calendar invite. Toggle the read status and file, flag or delete an email message with a single tap. When you're composing an email, you can now transfer the conversation to a voice call, SMS or meeting invite.

Time Saving Keyboard Shortcuts – Keyboard shortcuts are back for BlackBerry 10 smartphones with a physical QWERTY keyboard including the BlackBerry Q5, Q10, Passport and the Porsche Design P'9983 smartphone from BlackBerry. As you once could on your beloved BlackBerry Bold and as you can on the recently launched BlackBerry Classic, you can now make use of nearly every letter in the physical keyboard and give it an action like Speed Dial for a contact, or use them to launch your most-used apps. For example, from the Hub press "T" to get to the top of your inbox or "B" to get to the bottom to make short work of getting through your messages.

More Battery Power – You can now boost your battery life by up to 15 percent by customising your Power Saving Profile. Quickly select the applications and functions you would like to restrict or remain active to conserve power.

New Camera Functions – The upgraded camera software automatically recommends modes and settings, including HDR when sharp contrast is detected and an enhanced Time Shift mode when faces are detected. Now you have the option to store your Time Shift captures and edit them into the perfect photo whenever you want. Get the whole picture by capturing a panorama. Our new camera also brings your most common modes and actions to the forefront – you'll never need to switch between your camera and video recorder again. You can even record video and take pictures at the same time.

More Ways to Edit, Create, Sort and Listen to Media – Enjoy your media the way it was meant to sound, with 17 preset equalizer options for both music and video. With 10.3.1, you now have the ability to "Favorite" songs, photos or videos so they are always at your fingertips. With the new slow motion video edit feature and built in Story Maker, it's never been easier to master your media and share it with the world.

A Calendar that Works for You – The new Meeting Mode option will automatically set your phone to quiet mode for the duration of your meeting, and then turn notifications back on when it's over. Plus, a new weekly agenda view allows you to see your events and tasks for the selected week or month.

BBM Meetings – BBM Meetings offers business users a new way to work smarter and be more productive from any Android, iPhone, BlackBerry 10 smartphone or Windows PC or Mac. It combines a mobile-optimized user experience that allows on-the-go professionals to schedule, host and participate in meetings anywhere you have an internet connection. All at a fraction of the cost of other leading collaboration solutions.

How to update to BlackBerry OS 10.3.1

There are three ways to update your BlackBerry 10 smartphone:

  • On the web
  • Using BlackBerry link
  • From your smartphone (over-the-air)

On the web

For PC users - To download software from the BlackBerry site, you should be running Firefox or Windows Internet Explorer v5.5 or, higher.

Check for a browser message on the screen asking to run an add-on. Once you do that, you should see a Check for Updates button here.

For Mac - Download BlackBerry Link to update your smartphone software. Once installed, connect your smartphone to the PC and you will be automatically prompted to update.

Using BlackBerry link

When a new version of the software is available for your BlackBerry device, it will be listed in the Settings view in BlackBerry Link on your computer. From there, click Install Update to update your software.

From your smartphone (over-the-air)

You can directly update your BlackBerry smartphone OTA. Go to Home screen of the smartphone, swipe down from top of the screen. Tap Settings>>Software Updates>> Check for Updates.

[Source: BlackBerry]