BlackBerry rolled out a major software update Thursday, allowing users of its entire suite of BlackBerry 10 devices such as the Z10, Q10 and Z30 to access Android applications and a host of other features, including Blend.
BlackBerry Update Offers Access to Android Apps
The update for BlackBerry 10 devices also brings the company’s Blend and Assistant features.
BlackBerry
The company said the BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 update gives users the ability to access both the BlackBerry World app store and the Amazon Appstore, which provides access to a host of Android applications previously unavailable on the BlackBerry platform.
In addition, BlackBerry said the new software will allow its users to access its new BlackBerry Blend feature that impressed many when it was unveiled last year.
The Blend feature lets users get message notifications, read and respond to work and personal email, text and other messages, while also accessing files, calendars, contacts and other media, on whatever device one is using. It works across a host of operating systems including Apple’s Mac OS, Microsoft’s Windows platform and tablets powered by Google’s Android software.
The software upgrade will also introduce the new BlackBerry Assistant, a digital assistant that can be used with voice or text commands to help users manage email, contacts, calendar and other applications. It rivals offerings such as Apple’s Siri and Samsung’s S Voice.
BlackBerry said that subject to carrier approvals, the software upgrade will begin to roll out to customers around the world, starting Thursday.
(Reporting by Euan Rocha; Editing by David Gregorio)
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.
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