In addition to the new beta apps released through the BlackBerry Beta Zone, BlackBerry has now also rolled out several public app updates for BlackBerry Priv owners through the Google Play Store.
This time around, we're getting updates BlackBerry Device Search, BlackBerry Keyboard, BlackBerry Camera, BlackBerry Launcher, and finally, DTEK by BlackBerry. Most of the updates have new changelogs, except DTEK, which is simply using a recycled one so it's a guess as to what has changed there.
The camera update is perhaps the biggest of them all where it adds support for manual controls but, don't let that be confused with support for Camera API2, that still seems missing. But the newer manual controls within the BlackBerry Camera app alone are still certainly appreciated.
BlackBerry Device Search
- Bug fixes and performance improvements
BlackBerry Keyboard
- This update adds new language support, control key shortcuts, and currency flexibility.
- Korean-Hangul and Vietnamese language support
- The ability to use familiar keyboard shortcuts, such as undo (Ctrl + Z) and more
- The ability to change the default currency symbol on the physical keyboard
- Prediction and correction improvements
BlackBerry Camera
- Manual controls for the perfect shot. Change the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, white balance, and exposure, and manually focus on a subject. Adjust the controls with a swipe on the screen or the physical keyboard.
- Introduction screens when you first open the app
- Usability enhancements and bug fixes
BlackBerry Launcher
- Minor enhancements and bug fixes
DTEK by BlackBerry
- View the permissions apps have requested and turn permissions on or off
- Simplified notification settings
- Miscellaneous bug fixes and performance improvements
BlackBerry Hub
- Email messages resize automatically to fit the screen width
- While composing an email message, tap the attachment icon to take a photo and attach it directly to the message
- Create custom views directly from the BlackBerry Hub navigation drawer
- Improved rendering of email messages in conversation view and increased font sizes in email messages
- Bug fixes and performance improvements
BlackBerry Calendar
- See today's date easily from the home screen with the new Calendar date widget
- Hide accounts that you don't want to see in the Calendar from the Calendar settings
- Bug fixes and performance improvements
There's likely more available as well but for the most part, they just cover the typical bug fixes and improvements. Keep in mind, some of the updates may require Marshmallow, so if you're not seeing them, that's why. Go ahead and fire up the Google Play Store to get everything downloaded.
Reader comments
Priv apps updated in the Google Play Store - Camera, DTEK and more!
Better and better.
Typed using my QNX powered BlackBerry Classic running 10.3.2.2876 on WINDmobile HSPA+
So, so good!
Posted via CB10
How to get play store on my BlackBerry Z10
Posted via CB10
All this talk about improvements makes me think twice about switching to priv... but the passport is so awesome...
Powered by BB10
Downloaded them. Awesome!!!
Posted via the CrackBerry
It's like Christmas every time I check the Play Store app!
Posted via CB10
Not a Priv owner, but I like the strategy of bringing the best of bb10 to Android. But so bring Android to my passport, please... if we must transition, do it responsably.
Posted via CB10
Agree on this one... or make a new passport on android! The large screen is the best!
Posted via CB10
They are. Check out the BlackBerry "Rome" .
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Can someone tell me if the Priv can be wireless charge ? And if it's possible to have 2 languages support at the same time?
Posted via CB10
Yes but only the STV100-1 and 3 I think. I have it on my 1
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
Everybody is happy with BB10 and many are not with Priv! Chen are you listening?
Posted via CB10
Sounds like most of the commenters in this thread are happy, and happier, with PRIV.
Honestly, these new apps really are doing great! The camera is now a better camera after all, now the performance of the schneider-kreuznach camera can be optimised to the next level!!!
Love the new Hub, it's good to see the auto screen fit is now available, saves a lot of my time from pinching & zooming out!
Now, I'll just see how the new bb services app performs, as with the previous version sometimes my priv heats up and it drains the battery like a hog. I'm hoping the new app will be more stable.
Can't wait for the MR1 update in June!
Posted via CB10
Still waiting on some dark themes for calendar and HUB. Otherwise good stuff. Like the look of calendar more and more.
Posted from my Priv.
The update for the camera is fantastic BUT is anyone else thrilled about the new calendar app widget? It displays the current date instead of the factory "31" on the stock button. I now use the widget button as my calendar app on main screen. Little details like this is great. Good job BlackBerry!! I've had the PRIV for only a week but I absolutely love it. I actually do not miss my BB10 Passport at all.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Fully agreed! Would be nice if Clock app had widget to show current time too like iOS (I know, I know, clock is at top of screen...but I want it to show on the icon too:)
Can you post a picture of the calendar widget?
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
Blackberry Calendar with growing date number based on how busy it is.
PassportSQW100-1/10.3.2.2639
The updated camera app is great!!! one of the best camera app now!!!
The Hub also improved to allow user attach more photos, it only allow 3 or 4 photos before is very ignoring as I will choose the re-sized photos option anyway.... Now is very good!!!
Nice to have a Korean input support now! But it still lacks productivity in comparison to other keyboards since I have to take two steps to switch input languages. For more, I need to click the keyboard button on navigation bar first and then choose korean blackberry keyboard manually to switch.
With other keyboards such as SwiftKey or Google keyboard, I can simply either slide spacebar to the side or click on earth button 'once'...
Since it doesn't detect korean in multi language support, it has to have some simpler or faster way to switch the language.
Still keyboard of bb 10 like passport is better than my current priv. Sad...
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Auto resize of emails doesn't work on Verizon PRIV running lollipop.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
You won't notice anything with the update until you get Marshmallow.
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
Kind of wish there was a tutorial on the new camera controls for those not familiar w/ manual ones. I know you can easily Google or YouTube it, but for those that may not know where to start.
Not much better place to start than Google (or a book on photography).
How do i change shutter speed
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Priv, Priv, Priv. That's all we hear. What about the rest of BB10. Decision to go Android getting closet.
If there's news to report (and when there is it's generally bad) I'm sure they'll report it.
~TheRealFixxxer
So everyone must already have mm on here.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I'm a BB10 user, but clearly BlackBerry isn't going to let me update to a new phone on that OS anytime soon. So I'm looking at the Priv.
Is it just me, or is DTEK a gimmick?
Under Marshmallow, permissions can be revoked but that's baked into MM, not DTEK. Prior to MM, DTEK might show you where security can be improved, but it doesn't let you do anything about it. I also read one report where a reviewer got a low score in DTEK for not having a pin. So he set up "1234" and went from Poor to Excellent. Sounds like garbage to me.
Posted via CB10
PIN is better than no PIN... :-)
User stupidity cannot always be prevented. It's probably so protected in memory when entering, they didn't want to risk leaking it to anywhere in the system when typing it...
We are the users. Show some pride and pick a good PIN, maybe like 2345... ;-P
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
Indeed DTEK is kind of a gimmick, but it does help with the basics that the layperson might forget, but how on earth would DTEK know what the PIN the reviewer set up? It was just sensing whether one was set up. If DTEK could tell what the PIN was, that would be a huge security risk. I'd say that was a pretty good test of how well DTEK works.
If websites can run a secure check on your proposed pw to make sure it's strong enough or meets their criteria, then surely dtek could do so securely, if it was worth it's salt.
I just have this feeling that DTEK is nothing more than marketing hype. They're pushing it in every mention of the device, yet it doesn't do anything. Well, now it does bec it integrates with MM, but for users stuck on Lollipop....
It makes me think that if their pumping it like snake oil, what else or they over promising and under delivering on?
**** you, Chen, for making me even have to consider this.
Posted via CB10
*they're
Posted via CB10
Yeah, DTEK seems pretty vague, and quite possibly redundant, to me.
Wow, the camera launches much faster now. And the added features too!!!
Finally the hub has auto fit to screen.
Thank you BlackBerry. Awesome updates!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Looks like it's time for a Priv-2, with better front camera, and a price range of $499.I can see the Priv eventually being a good replacement for BB10. BTW i agree the Z30 is an amazing device, but it now seems to be a bit slow compared to the newer devices out there.
Yup, I loved my Z's ( 10 & 30 ) but it was finally starting to have issues. Moved to PRIV...no regrets. Just miss the logical swiping of BB10.
Will buy me a priv next week (God welling )
I was so confused between the priv and the s7 to be honest I saw the s7 on person yesterday and the screen was mind blowing it is fabulous but I want a productive tool not just a phone I want updates too That's why am going with the priv s7 has better display and little bit better camera and it is waterproof that's it any thing else priv is better!!
Posted via CB10
Big reason why I'm having trouble finding a replacement for the wife... I want to get her a phone with a good update track record... so far, it's just the Nexus line and Priv.
However, the Priv is still too expensive for the way she takes care of her phones. Her Z30 is built like a tank. Dropped repeatedly and keeps on rolling.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Yeah it is expensive but deserve ever penny!
And yes my z10 too built like a tank am a3 years old z10 user without a case against screen protector And my z10 shines like a new!!
Posted via CB10
The S7 Is not what you think! I had it and left it for the BlackBerry Priv, the Priv smokes it.
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
What is wrong with the s7!?
Posted via CB10
Not taking anything away from the S7 because there really nice phones, but I had trouble with the one I bought. It froze up a lot and for every account I set up I would get 2 of each. It kept shutting off by itself. I took it back to see if att would fix it and then said out of a million phones I bought a dud so they were going to give me a new one but being a 15 year BlackBerry user I decided to get the Priv ( didn't want it at first because I thought it was to big ( coming from a Z10). But after I bought this Priv I thought I was stupid for ever even trying the S7. The only problem I had at first with the Priv was battery draining but after I deleted all the att apps ( Bloatware). That I'll never use I haven't had any other issues from the battery, I get 2 days easy with lots of usage. I just think the S7 isn't built near as good as the Priv. But that's just me, I have a few friends that are S7 users and they love it, but I wont lie they want a BlackBerry Priv instead.
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
Great work Blackberry!
Test
Posted with my shiny new Priv
I have my unlocked Priv after I sent my broke screen Priv back and got a unlocked Priv, so sweet nana a booboo
Now that the apps are really "grown up", why doesn't BlackBerry bring them to other Android users? I'd pay for an official version of the VKB.
Posted via CB10
Agree, i would pay for the hub/calendar integration, keyboard and password keeper
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Agreed that these apps should be available to all compatible Androids. Free or paid (but not subscription!).
As far as I'm aware you can with a bit of manipulation to spoof Google you're using an android phone. I know someone with a nexus phone who uses the BlackBerry vkb. Look it up in the forum, I think it's something to do with the cobalt stuff.
Posted via CB10
The OS just keeps getting better, the camera is lots better.
Keep it going BB
Updates are always good. But I do miss the leaks every so often (beta program not withstanding). I guess the leak Era is gone.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Camera updates only works on MM. :-(
Posted via the CrackBerry App for
BlackBerry Priv
That's what I'm guessing. I must have missed where it said that.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Better and better with every update.
Nice work BlackBerry, hate to say it but the more updates you do the less I miss BB10.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
These latest updates are really starting to make me want to give up my Z30 and grab a Priv. Especially now that WhatsApp, Facebook and PayPal are not going to be supported moving forward.
Posted via CB10
My thoughts exactly! Might be Priv time...
Posted via CB10
However, in the process, you'll also be forced to give up your contacts, your schedule (calendar) and your privacy as Google gobbles up the info as it builds a newer, more-deluxe data set on YOU and your peeps.
Except that's not how it works, but nice try uneducated one.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
@Tolan:
Like many here, instead of offering a reasonable explanation of why you think you are right, you simply sneer and name-call.
Google does know your contacts, your calendar events, and any other elements that you store in their systems. As has been said here before "if you are not paying for the product, you are the product". It's what Google does. With location services, all activity is known and likely recorded so the output can be monitized by selling data. If you have the answer as to why these statements are not true, do tell.
Does that mean if I store my data in any cloud that they will know and own my data?
Does Google peep at your contacts and send mails to them? If not, what is the concern? I have been using Google services since their beta Gmail days, even now when I am using BlackBerry, my contacts and everything are on Google server. This has benefited me a lot when I switch between Android, iOS, and BlackBerry devices.
Posted via CB10
Huh? The calendar and contacts on the PRIV are, IMO, the best any Android has to offer. I don't find my self missing the BB10 versions at all.
Email resize in hub is a life saver!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I need a BlackBerry Pictures app badly!!! I need to be able sort my pics by date and "hide" ones you don't want seen!!
Posted via CB10 for my sexy Priv
Haha... :-)
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
Try QuickPic
Google Photos
These photos aren't for Google to look at... :-)
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
Where exactly do I see the manual controls?
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
->Tap the 3 dots at the top
->Select "Manual Mode"
Never thought that could like an Android phone so much!
Posted via the fantastic PRIV.
Ouch... ;-D
Glad you like it...!
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
Great between Beta releases and oficial releases Priv has become a fun BlackBerry phone like on previous OS.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
This!
AAE570
Nice!! Now we just need AT&T to push out Marshmallow...maybe by the fall...
Posted via my BlackBerry Priv
Lol true,
Posted via the CrackBerry App on my BlackBerry Priv ™
Still wish they'd add an action or sports mode to the camera...
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Same!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Unless and usually don't work well
Posted via CB10
Sport mode depends on camera sensor. True or False?
PassportSQW100-1/10.3.2.2639
False, it's only a faster exposure setting, 1/250 sec or faster should work to freeze the picture/action.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Hold down the camera trigger.
Use fast shutter in Manual.
Awesome! Well done BlackBerry!
Posted via CB10
Good stuff!!
Posted via BlackBerry PRIV
I guess DTEK is only being updated for those on Marshmallow. My stick-in-the-mud Verizon Priv still has a 12/15/15 version.
I did get an update to Password Keeper though which isn't on this list.
Same
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Nothing new on the Verizon... their update policy sux, ahem lags... :-)
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
Luckily us poor Verizon folks did get several of these app updates (the ones missing so far are the Calendar, Device Search and Hub - humorously a new DTEK downloaded, but it's dated 12/15/15 so it's not very new). Although the rest of the new apps downloaded, some of the touted new features aren't there - i.e. the camera doesn't have the manual settings.
That said, you are correct that Verizon's OS update policy is ludicrous.
Would have wanted some new features on the launcher.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Also many other BlackBerry apps including Hub
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android on Priv
The ability to use familiar keyboard shortcuts, such as undo (Ctrl + Z)...
How do you do Ctrl-Z?
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Either assign a physical key (left shift key or right shift key) or use ?123 on VKB and use your actions like normal (Ctrl+z for undo, Ctrl+v paste, etc)
What? This isn't even available on BB10! I remember BBOS had this functionality with the track pad. I used to love it! Including Alt-Tab t switch between apps. Why was this not built on to the Classic?!
Posted via CB10
Thanks. Set the right shift. Very useful feature.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I was waiting for the post :)
Camera app is amazing now!!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
What's the iPhone saying...?
:-D
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
It's getting better and better I'm loving it!
PrivSTV100-1/6.0.1AAE723
Yes I agree. Auto resize emails in the Hub. That's a big one
Posted via Priv
Agreed. At least were getting some of the best BlackBerry 10 had to offer
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
One step closer to hub integration!!! Hopefully
"To Hades with you Kratos " "YOU FIRST"