BlackberryZ10
Latest
BlackBerry's BB 10.2 OS update brings notification previews and Priority Hub to Z10 and Q10 devices 'this week'
Before today, the only way to enjoy BlackBerry's BB 10.2 OS was to buy the company's new Z30 flagship. But, as the company previously promised, that software update's ready to trickle down to all BB 10 users and should be hitting devices "starting this week." BlackBerry's said that the OS update won't be available from all carriers though, so depending on your wireless operator allegiance, you may or may not see that update notification. When it does arrive, Z10 and Q10 owners can look forward to the new BB Priority Hub which organizes your communications according to importance, message previews throughout the UI and lockscreen, and the ability to reply directly to BBM notifications. If you need some hand-holding for the update process, you can check out BlackBerry's how-to at the source link.
BlackBerry Z10 prices slashed across the board: $99 at Verizon and AT&T, $49 on Amazon
Looking for an excuse to try out BlackBerry's latest flagship? Here's one: now it's cheap. Folks willing to sign up for a usual two year agreement can score the BlackBerry Z10 for $99 at both AT&T and Verizon or a mere $49 at Amazon. The price drop is most likely designed to spur sales in the wake of the Canadian company's $84 million loss last quarter. "Now is the right time to adjust the price," a BlackBerry spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal. "It's part of life cycle management to tier the pricing for current devices to make room for the next ones." In other words, BlackBerry needs to move its existing stock before it can sell the public on a second-generation device. Either way, the Z10 is a steal at $49 -- unless you're in one of the regions that's simply giving them away.
BlackBerry 10.1 arrives for Z10 on AT&T
We doubt that many of AT&T's BlackBerry users want to buy a Q10 just to get BlackBerry 10.1, and today they won't have to: the upgrade is rolling out now to the network's Z10 owners. The OS update is similar to what we've seen elsewhere, adding Skype support and HDR photography as well as improvements to both the Hub and notifications. Z10 users should get BlackBerry 10.1 over the air, although those who prefer to update the wired way can visit the source link for a download.
BlackBerry Z10, Q10 and PlayBook get DoD approval
The average consumer may be able to thumb through FCC filings to get a peek at their next smartphone, but certain government employee's hopes lie in the hands of another agency: the US Department of Defense. Good news for federally employed BlackBerry fans, then -- the company just announced that BlackBerry 10 smartphones and PlayBook tablets running Enterprise Service 10 have been added to the Defense Information Systems Agency's approved product list. Finally, DoD employees can toss out that aging BB7 handset and pick up a modern OS. Check out the company's official statement after the break.
Cheat on your iOS or Android device with this BlackBerry 10 OS tour
The BlackBerry Z10 is now attainable on three outta the four big US carriers, leading many to wonder what a BB10 phone would be like. Well, if you haven't had a chance to fondle the handset in-store, Heins & Co's got another way for you to (somewhat) experience the OS through its "glimpse" website. Load it up in the browser of your iOS or Android device, and it'll take you through a linear tour of some of the gestures and ways to multitask, as well as show you the BlackBerry Hub, BBM and Time Shift camera feature. It's far from a full emulation, but at least you'll be a little more informed at the end of it. Point your portable's browser at the source link to see what we mean.
MLB polishes At Bat 13 on iOS and Android ahead of Opening Day, brings app to BlackBerry Z10
With the 2013 season looming just around the corner, it's only natural for Major League Baseball to make sure its various applications on different platforms are all ready to go come this weekend. And as it did with MLB.tv on Xbox Live a couple days ago, MLB's now also updated the At Bat Android and iOS apps, leaving behind the spring training features from last month and making room for ones that are tailored for this year's Opening Day and forward. For subscribers, this means things such as multi-platform live audio, more video highlights, a virtual archive of classic games and a revamped news section within the apps. What's more, MLB has kept its promise of bringing At Bat 13 to the BB10 crowd, giving BlackBerry Z10 owners the ability to download the app starting today. Clearly, it's that time of the year again, that time where your Yankees-cheering friends tell you all about how A-Rod, when fit, is the best player in the game. Or, if they're Giants fans, how they really, really, hope the tale of Samson's hair won't apply to Tim Lincecum.
T-Mobile's UnCarrier event roundup
The news (and the choice language) was hurled out at a rapid pace during today's T-Mobile UnCarrier event. In case you missed any of the proceedings, we've got you covered with a full rundown just past the break. From the initial LTE markets to handset launches and details surrounding Big Magenta's phone plans, all of the particulars on what the carrier looks to "unleash" are here for your perusal.
The Daily Roundup for 03.22.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
IRL: Clocks for Mac, Pong Research iPhone 5 case and the BlackBerry Z10
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Is saying you need to keep track of six timezones a humblebrag? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but either way, don't expect an apology from Mr. Darren Murph -- the man is positively giddy about his new $3 Clocks app. You know who else won't be issuing any apologies? Jon Fingas, our resident Canadian smartphone nerd, who says the BlackBerry Z10 isn't half bad.
T-Mobile's LTE ambitions get real: network expansion, the BlackBerry Z10 and an OTA update for the Galaxy Note II
AT&T's failed acquisition was the best thing to ever happen to T-Mobile. As a consequence of the failed merger, the fourth place wireless carrier received AWS spectrum in over 100 markets, a cash payout in the billions and an extensive roaming agreement with Ma Bell. All of which pushed the last place carrier into a stronger competitive standing. Now, as it nears the completion of a merger of its own devising with MetroPCS, the operator's gearing up to make good on its LTE promise. Starting today, an over-the-air update will begin rolling out to existing Galaxy Note II handsets that enables the previously dormant LTE radio. Which, if you've been keeping close tabs on Magenta's LTE plans, falls right on schedule with its previously announced 2013 deployment timeline.
Verizon BlackBerry Z10 launching March 28th, pre-orders begin March 14th
It was AT&T's turn earlier this week, and now it's Verizon's. Big Red has confirmed that its edition of the BlackBerry Z10 will be in stores on March 28th, just a week after it surfaces at its first major US carrier. Pricing will remain the same $200 on a contract, although Verizon has a decided edge for fans of variety: it'll have an American exclusive on the white model, albeit with conspicuous branding. Pre-orders start March 14th at both Verizon itself (starting from 8AM) and Best Buy, so those who've embraced Hubs and Peeks can commit to a Z10 very quickly.
BlackBerry Z10 coming to AT&T March 22nd for $199.99, pre-orders open tomorrow (update: Best Buy)
The BlackBerry Z10 has already been available in various parts of the world -- and will soon be delivered to T-Mobile business customers in the US -- but most consumers within the 50 states are still exercising a bit of patience. Fortunately, it doesn't appear that American hopefuls will have to wait too much longer, as AT&T has announced that the flagship 'Berry will be available for pre-order on March 12th for $199.99 on a two-year commitment, and should be ready for purchase in retail stores and online beginning March 22nd. Update: Best Buy says it will also take Z10 pre-orders starting March 12th, in addition to carrying the phone on launch day.
T-Mobile to begin selling BlackBerry Z10 to business customers March 11th for $249.99 (update)
The BlackBerry Z10 is finally ready to ship out to customers in the US, as T-Mobile has officially announced that it is selling Canada's pride and joy starting Monday for $250, but only to business customers initially. Deliveries of the device will arrive on doorsteps (or in office mailrooms, perhaps) by the end of the week. As for the rest of the T-Mobile customers anxious to get their hands on the first BB10 handset, we still haven't received any word. News of the launch date was reported by Reuters, and we reached out to T-Mobile to confirm pricing and availability and received the following statement (update: T-Mo sent an updated statement confirming a pre-order date): The BlackBerry Z10 will be available for pre-order for business customers starting on March 11 for $249.99 on a two-year Classic plan. Please note that pricing can be impacted by volume discounts and other factors, making the device even more cost effective. The consumer retail availability date and pricing will be shared at a later date.
The Daily Roundup for 03.07.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Back to BlackBerry: closing time
Time's up. I've now had a full month to call the BlackBerry Z10 my very own and use it as my everyday device. I've had the opportunity to use it in every likely scenario, including a nine-day trip to Spain for Mobile World Congress. Now comes the moment of truth: have I become a BlackBerry convert? Is the Z10 my new daily driver? Unfortunately, it's not. But before the BlackBerry fan base breaks out the torches and forms mobs, this isn't a denunciation of the phone or its OS. Quite the opposite, in fact. I decided to pursue this experiment for a few reasons: it's the best way to learn a brand-new operating system, I genuinely am interested in how well it handles regular day-to-day use and a month gives me plenty of time to form a solid idea of the platform's potential and future. Is it possible to have a great deal of admiration for a phone while simultaneously rejecting it as my daily driver? Yes. After the break I sum up the highlights of BB10: what works, what doesn't and what simply needs a little nudge or two.
German government buys 5,000 BlackBerry Z10s, bucks the BYOD trend
Most of the worry about BlackBerry's market share has centered around its once-certain corporate and government clientele: when even stodgy institutions have either embraced Bring Your Own Device policies or have switched platforms outright, nothing has seemed safe. The company may be clawing back some stability through a newly approved deal with Germany's Federal Office for Information Security. The government agency has reportedly agreed to buy 5,000 BlackBerry Z10 phones for its staff, all of which will be locked down with Secusmart protection for data, messaging and voice. We wouldn't call it a full comeback when there's been just a few weeks for such deals. Still, the purchase is a very public endorsement for BlackBerry at a time when it's not clear that large-scale customers will remain faithful.
First BB10 update addresses battery life, low-light photography, third-party app performance and more
BlackBerry 10 has been out in the wild for almost a month, and today early adopters will begin receiving the first update to the new platform: version 10.0.10.85. Battery performance has been addressed, and over 60 "optimizations" should help lengthen the time between charges. Other changes of note are the "improved performance" of third-party apps, and that the camera should now produce superior low-light snaps. In-browser video playback has also been tweaked, and importing online contacts should work better, as should call logging in the BlackBerry Hub. Finally, the new software is supposed to fix issues with Gmail calendars. BlackBerry says the 150MB OTA update is available on some carriers right now, and will roll out to everyone "over the coming weeks." Head to the source for the full changelog.
The Daily Roundup for 02.28.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Back to BlackBerry: international travels
Dropping a smartphone is an absolutely horrifying experience. And on my first day in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, it happened to me with my BlackBerry Z10. As much as I hate to admit, it was a dumb move on my part. Unfortunately, tragedy can strike with as simple an act as brushing one's elbow across the table, and that's all it took for me to knock my smartphone right onto a hard surface -- facedown in a perfectly horizontal position. If you've ever been through such an accident, you know the few seconds it takes to pick up the phone and survey the damage can be incredibly nerve-wracking and one of the most suspenseful moments of your life. I'm happy to say that this particular story has a positive ending, as I turned the phone over to see if I would need to call BlackBerry HQ in a panic. To my shock, it was completely fine. There wasn't a single scratch or ding, and the touchscreen was just as responsive as ever. It would've been a different story had it fallen onto a concrete floor, but this still significantly increased my opinion of the Z10's durability. Had my Z10 come face to face with concrete, I would've been in a nasty predicament. Not only would I have had to pause or put the kibosh my 30-day trial run with the BlackBerry Z10, but I'm also on the other side of the world in a foreign country. While getting a new phone isn't impossible, it's expensive, time-consuming and frustrating. Yep, this was how my 10-day international adventure began, but how well has it gone for me since?
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 18th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought confirmation of Pantech's next phone for Verizon, legal battles over the airwaves in India and a new smartphone to Virgin Mobile. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 18th, 2013.
