BlackBerry rolling out Android 6.0 Marshmallow for Priv: What are the new changes and features

BlackBerry has begun rolling out Android Marshmallow upgrade for its Android flagship smartphone Priv. As for now, only those who have purchased the handset from ShopBlackBerry will be able to experience the sweet Android desert treatment but the carrier networks offering Priv will have to wait until 3 May.

The official rollout starts less than a month after BlackBerry started beta testing for the latest Android iteration. To update your Priv over-the-air, head over to Settings>> About>> System update>> Check for update.

Along with Marshmallow's enhanced privacy, security and usability, the update incorporates several additional improvements to the key features of the handset. Following are the details of the key features in the update.

Privacy and security enhancements

The update gives you the power to control what permission to give to each apps. You can always turn off permissions any time you want and still continue to use the app. Also, the update gives you a clearer notification setting, you will only see notification controls that an app has requested for. Besides, there is a new S/MIME feature that allows you to digitally sign and encrypt your emails.

Updated BlackBerry keyboard

BlackBerry has updated Priv's keyboard with better typing, accuracy and control. The keyboard now brings you as many as 200 new and updated emojis. You should also be able to take advantage of new keyboard gestures such as the swipe capability that allows you to drag your finger across the keys to enter words on the keyboard. Other improvements are better word prediction and Cursor Control mode on the physical keyboard for easier positioning and control.

Notification settings

You can now organise your apps in a better way. With the Mute indicator feature, you can now see the phone's mute status through the phone indicator that appears when a call is active. The indicator will turn yellow when your call is muted and green when it is not. The BlackBerry Hub now has more apps for you.

Another noteworthy change is the updated BlackBerry launcher that allows you to organise your apps and widgets into Recents, Personal and Work sections.

Battery performance

Android Marshmallow improves the battery life of your Priv with the Doze mode that automatically puts the phone into sleep state when it is idle. Also, you can now increase your phone's storage by encrypting your media cards. In situations like when the phone is lost or stolen, it is difficult to take the media card out of the device.

Camera improvements

Finally there is improvements for the camera. The update allows recording videos at 24 frames per second (fps) in 4K, 1080p or 720p video. In addition to this, you can capture slow motion video at 120 fps and then play it at 30 fps. Note that the slow motion affect can be applied after taking videos and even to specific sections of the videos. Head over to BlackBerry official site to know more about the Android Marshmallow update.