14 DAY TRIAL // Today, BlackBerry has announced the immediate availability of the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update package for PRIV smartphone owners.
For devices purchased online via ShopBlackBerry, the upgrade to Android M can be triggered by simply going to the Settings -> About Phone section. PRIV units bought via mobile carriers will get the update starting May 3.
Marshmallow is the latest version of the Android mobile operating system, which Google launched last fall, in October. Despite being the most technically advanced and secure version of the Android OS, recent statistics show that only 4.6 percent of all Android handsets have been updated until now.
BlackBerry's Android 6.0.1 update includes custom features specifically designed for PRIV smartphones, with an obvious focus on privacy and security, the landmark features on which BlackBerry has been rebuilding its reputation in recent years.
Additionally, it comes with the May 1 Android security patch level out of the box, so to speak.
Security & Privacy updates
The most important change when it comes to privacy and security is the new customized personal data permissions system that allows users to specify which apps are allowed to access personal data. Users can now easily detect and block intrusive apps from accessing personal details, especially if that information is not critical to the app functioning properly.
S/MIME support has also been added to BlackBerry Hub, allowing users to digitally sign and encrypt emails, keeping their sensitive data private.
On top of this, BlackBerry has tweaked some notifications to simplify how users grant apps access to some of the phone's sensors (camera, microphone, accelerometer, etc.).
Better BlackBerry keyboard
For many users, BlackBerry devices are synonymous with keyboards, so in order to make the entire typing process easier and faster, the company has upgraded its keyboard technology.
Users can now enter text by swiping their finger across both the physical and virtual keyboard, they have more emojis to select from, and better cursor control, because we all know how difficult it is to position that darn blinking pointer.
On top of this, the mandatory upgrades to the word prediction algorithm have also been added, and PRIV is now more apt to guess what you're trying to say.
Notifications, notifications, notifications
Since a smartphone is useless without the option to receive info updates as possible in real time, BlackBerry has also spent more time improving the notifications system, building on what Google has already done to improve this feature.
With its latest release, there's now a big yellow indicator to show you when your call has been muted, and a big green one when a call is active.
Additionally, the company has added new apps (Instagram, Skype, Slack and Pinterest ) to the BlackBerry Hub notifications function so that users can get all their social media updates in one place.
The BlackBerry Launcher has also received an update, and users can organize shortcuts to apps and widgets into three new sections: Recent, Personal and Work.
Battery and Camera upgrades
BlackBerry's Android M update also includes Doze, an automated system that puts your handset in sleep mode when the PRIV device is at rest and has not been interacted with.
Besides Doze, to further save battery life, the App Standby feature will also prevent apps you haven't used for a while from tapping into your battery without your interaction.
Last but not least, the Canadian mobile maker has also upgraded PRIV's camera software, so you can now capture professional videos at 24fps, in 4K, 1080p or 720p quality. On top of this, a slow-motion video function has also been added, and it helps users capture videos at 120fps, but it plays them back at 30fps, allowing users to create cool slo-mo shots.
You can view highlights from BlackBerry's Marshmallow update in the video below.
