BlackBerry 7.1 now available to download in the UK

BlackBerry® 7.1, the latest version of the BlackBerry® smartphone OS, is now available for customers in the UK. The update is available for the BlackBerry® Bold 9900, BlackBerry® Torch 9810 and 9860, BlackBerry® Curve 9360 and 9380 smartphones, and the Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry. Starting today, customers can upgrade their smartphones to BlackBerry 7.1 for free over the air or using BlackBerry® Desktop Software.

BlackBerry 7.1 incorporates BlackBerry® Tag, a new way to share content with other BlackBerry customers using near field communications (NFC) technology. By tapping two NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones together, customers can share contact information, pictures, a URL from the browser or documents. BlackBerry Tag can also be used to invite a friend to BBMT or to pair their BlackBerry smartphone with an NFC-enabled Bluetooth® device.

With BlackBerry 7.1, customers can be productive from virtually anywhere. Now they can turn their BlackBerry smartphone into a mobile hotspot that can be shared by up to 5 Wi-Fi®-enabled devices, including laptops and tablets.

A new Battery Saving Mode feature has been added which allows customers to extend the battery life of their BlackBerry smartphone when it is most needed. The new feature provides customers the option to have their smartphone settings automatically adjusted when the battery power reaches a level pre-defined by the customer. Some of the settings the Battery Saving Mode will automatically adjust include the brightness level, backlight timeout, and the mobile hotspot auto shutdown timer.

Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio is already built in to the Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 adds a new app that allows them to tune in and enjoy local FM radio stations. Listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.

BlackBerry 7.1 is available for download today. For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update, visit http://uk.blackberry.com/update/

Posted by: James