14 DAY TRIAL // It's been less than a month since BlackBerry released its first Android smartphone, the PRIV, and the phone is now getting its first software update.
BlackBerry PRIV owners will be pleased to know that this is not a minor update that only brings a few bug fixes and small improvements. The official changelog is quite impressive and includes some much-needed new features and enhancements.
The update requires about 475 MB of space and is available for download beginning today (December 1) to all BlackBerry PRIV smartphones purchased through the company's official online store.
Customers who purchased their BlackBerry PRIV devices from various carriers will be able to download and install the new update from December 7.
Let's take a look at the latest improvements and new features BlackBerry added in this update. First of all, BlackBerry PRIV users will be pleased to know that the phone's camera has been improved.
The OTA update is available via Wi-Fi and GSM networks
BlackBerry has confirmed it added a number of tweaks that improve the speed of the camera application. The company's engineers also re-tuned the camera for better low-light image quality.
Next in line is “better performance.” According to BlackBerry, the PRIV's software has been tweaked to improve overall system performance.
The update should also bring “improved stability” since it includes a number of adjustments designed to improve device reliability and reduce instances of crashing and freezing.
Last but not least, “enhanced security” is also mentioned in the changelog, and contains December's security patches, so you can now rest assured that your smartphone is protected against the latest Android security threats.
In the same piece of news, BlackBerry announced that it would release new updates for some of its Android applications that come preloaded on the PRIV: Camera, Keyboard, Hub & Contacts, and DTEK by BlackBerry.
New versions of these applications will be available for download via Google Play Store beginning December 14. They will include important improvements and new features that should please BlackBerry PRIV owners.