As soon as you unlock a BlackBerry 10 device the changes made by the firm, formerly known as RIM, are instantly evident. Not only has the software taken the best bits of previous BlackBerry mobile platforms, but it’s combined these with some new and innovative features which bring BB10 into its own.
We’ve taken a look at the software in action on the full-touchscreen Z10 - BlackBerry’s 2013 flagship - to find out if the new operating system (OS) has what it takes to propel the firm back to its former glory.
Multitasking
Multitasking is at the heart of BB10 and as such, is perfect for the busy user who has lots of things going on at once. When opening new apps you don’t have to close one to open another, and this flowing interface gives a real impression that everything that is open is working simultaneously.To enhance multitasking even further, BlackBerry has stepped away from the idea of having a dedicated home-screen. Open apps line up on a multitasking menu which can be accessed by swiping from the left of the screen, giving the feeling that each part of the phone’s functionality is flowing over the other as they are engaged.
BlackBerry Hub
A major feature of BB10 is BlackBerry Hub, which brings notifications, contacts, messages and calendar entries together into one sliding menu. The hub is divided into two parts consisting of a main menu which displays accounts such as Facebook and Twitter (as well as emails and text messages), while the second part shows a full list of messages, detailing where each one has come from.Updates can be checked without leaving an app that’s currently open – a function BlackBerry has termed ‘BlackBerry Peek’. This allows users to peek into the hub any time simply by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and to the right in one gesture, to save flitting between applications.
BlackBerry Balance
BlackBerry handsets have always proved popular with business users and BlackBerry Balance, which was first seen on BB7 OS, accommodates those who want to use their own BB10 device for work purposes. The app ‘splits’ your device in two, allowing you to keep work emails, apps and contacts separate, so work notifications and updates don’t interrupt or get mixed up with social use.Switching between the different interfaces is simple and is done with a simple tap of an icon.
In the event of you changing jobs, your IT administrator will be able to wipe the work section of the handset without affecting the section housing personal artefacts.
Keypad
The QWERTY keypad has become synonymous with BlackBerry devices and has proved popular with many users due to the ease of typing it provides. Whilst, in terms of design , the Z10 is unlike the BlackBerry devices upon which the company built its name, this swift method of inputting text looks to have influenced the Z10’s intuitive onscreen keypad, which memorises users’ texting habits and learns commonly used words. |
| [Image Source: us.blackberry.com] |
Predictive texting is enhanced even further, presenting oft-used words above the letter they begin with. These can then be inserted in to messages and emails by ‘flicking’ the word up in to the text field where the message is being composed.
BB10 also remembers the manner in which users tap each key and calibrates the onscreen keypad over time. So, if you have a habit of tapping a particular key to the left hand side, BB10 remembers and adjusts the keypad accordingly to avoid any accidental key strikes.
BBM video/ Smart Share
The popular BlackBerry Messenger service has been revamped for BB10 and now also includes BBM video, with in-built Screen Share functionality. Screen Share extends video chat by sharing your phone’s screen with the person you’re video calling – especially useful for showing off things such as holiday pictures or work presentations.Camera/ Time Shift
BlackBerry has never been regarded for its camera abilities but the Z10 looks set to change this thanks to its 8 megapixel lens and a camera app with an extra helping of innovation in the form of Time Shift. Put simply, this feature rectifies those moments when someone blinks just as the camera’s shutter button is pressed.Time Shift captures several milliseconds of footage before and after a photo is taken and allows users to highlight an individual’s face and ‘rewind’ the image back or forward a few frames to when they had their eyes open. The app then seamlessly merges the altered part with the rest of the photo, so you always get the perfect shot.
BlackBerry World
Up until now, BlackBerry has suffered from a poorly-stocked and overpriced app store that has struggled to keep up with those of Android and iOS. To remedy this BlackBerry has refreshed its app store and rebranded it BlackBerry World.A slew of new apps are now available for BB10 users thanks to BlackBerry’s efforts in getting key developers on board through financial incentives. Well-known and popular titles initially developed for Android and iOS but often failing to make the jump to the BlackBerry platform should, according to BlackBerry at least, soon be a thing of the past.
Verdict
BlackBerry’s BB10 is a fantastic OS with an innovative and well-thought out user interface, which if taken up by the smartphone-buying public, could be enough to help the Canadian manufacturer regain its place amongst the big names in the industry.It will be a while before BlackBerry’s future can be assured but the firm certainly seems to have pulled out all the stops to attract an even wider user-base and put the brand back on the map.
Faizan Ahmad About the Author:
This article is posted by Faizan who is the Author and Founder of TechSenser. He is a Professional Blogger from India and a passionate writer about Technology, Gadgets, How-to-Guides, etc. You can connect him on Google+.