Roleli Speaks

The Blackberry 10.3.3 update finally here is finally here. I don't have it on my device and I have opted to wait for the over the air (OTA) update.  Given I am in Jamaica, I might have to wait for a while.  This update should have just been an a security update but low and behold Blackberry actually updated a few things. Security update - National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) certification.  Version 10.3.3 has passed the NIAP security test to deliver the strictest government-grade security to further support government, enterprise and regulated customers who require the highest levels of protection for critical data. Browser Anti-phishing option added Browser bug fixes Android Runtime -  This fixes an issue with uninstalling Android Apps. There was already a fix out for this but the update rolls up and includes this.  Other security improvements There is the option to use what are called autoloaders but be warned for the most pa...

An Apple iTunes update has affected Blackberry users of Blackberry Link .  At first, many users thought it was a Windows 7 & 10 update. However, the real culprit was an Apple update that became available at about the week of September 14, 2016, about the same time the Windows updates became available.  Blackberry Link for PC and MAC is used to backup and sync contacts, images, calendars, music etc on BlackberryOS 10 phones. Problem The iTunes updated changed the structure of the iTunesPrefs.xml. As a result Blackberry Link crashes on attempting the read the XML file. On attempting to run Blackberry Link, the following error message appeared. Solution Here is the workaround or solution to the Blackberry Link crashing issue. Rename the iTunesPrefs.xml file and relaunch BlackBerry Link Please note:  Completing the below steps may have adverse effects on the iTunes functionality(no effects has been seen). For further information, please contact Apple sup...

This patch is needed if your Blackberry OS version is  10.3.2.2876 After an  Android App was installed on a Blackbery 10 (BB10) smartphone, if deleted/uninstalled the application icon is removed but the application remains installed.  This takes up space and attempts to reinstall and upgrade the app will fail. Steps Using your BB10 device, browse to http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/39879918 Blackberry World will open Install update Once it is installed, restart phone ( DO NOT CLICK OPEN ) Once the phone is restarted the update is completo. (Give the phone a few minutes to finalise the update before installing/deleting any new apps) Reference http://support.blackberry.com/kb/articleDetail?articleNumber=000037772

In Part 1 and Part 2  we looked at a number of features that made me love Blackberry 10, In Part 3 we continue by looking at a few more. 9. Multi-Tasking  Active frames. When a user returns to the home screen from within an application, the application is minimized into a so-called "Active Frame". An Active Frame is a miniaturized window of the application which keeps running in the background. A user can return to such an application by tapping on the Active Frame. External Display while checking email or playing another video In this 2013 video Deepak Maharaj demonstrates the Z10 playing a video on the external screen while playing another video on the phone itself.  While that is happening he shows the ability to visit the hub, compose email etc with no lag. Here is a comparison between a Z10 running  BB10 vs Samsung Note 4 and another discussion on multi-tasking. File Manager ( demo ) Out of the box, BB10's file manager has got to be one of th...

In part 1 , I spoke about the hub, gestures and meeting mode. Today we continue by looking at a few more. 4. Blackberry Blend (10.3.1) ( View Blend Demo ) Even in its unfinished state, it has effectively replaced my email desktop client and allowed me to stay connected and productive. It is unified connection on the desktop. Connect to your phone over Wi-Fi (meaning you could leave it at home charging) or via USB and work on/from/via your phone.   From your desktop (PC/Tablet) you can respond to BBM, Email, SMS right there. Additionally you get message alerts and you can see who is calling, messaging or email you all on your desktop while at work or play. There is no need to touch the phone except for making calls. (If Whatsapp was integrated into the hub that would be awesome. It is possibly one reason why Whatsapp wanted BB10 dead. Then once you turn off Blend on the Desktop/Tablet it’s all gone. 5. Keyword adapts, predictive based on usage and style ( View Keyboard demo...

BB10 will likely go the way of Symbian OS, WebOS and a host of other mobile operating systems. Here I share a few reasons while I like and appreciate Blackberry 10. 1. The Interface and Gestures ( See more ) I have found the gesture-based navigation intuitive. Simple example, you swipe up to wake your device, no need to press any button. How many persons have worn out the power button on their Android devices?  The ability to navigate between applications on the BB10 seems some much better and easier than on the iPhone and way better than on Android (before Lollipop). I will mention other gestures as I go on. There are some gestures/actions I had hoped would have come over from the Playbook OS. These include the flick to close a program instead of clicking a 'x' and the restart or stand-by on-screen option on the battery icon instead of the power button to restart. The video below highlights a few of the gestures. 2. The Hub, The Hub, the Hub and notifications ( View H...

Now that Facebook has decided to end support for the Facebook App for Blackberry, what are your options. Well fortunately there are some options and native blackberry apps at that provide options. Face10 Built-in Messenger: No (requires  Messenger Lite ) by Hub Integration: Yes (in Pro only)+ Hub Notification: Yes (in Pro only)+ Multiple Accounts: Yes (in Pro only)+ View Videos and Photos: Yes Download Videos and Photos: Yes (in Pro only)+ Stars*: 4 Cost: Lite: Free | Pro: US$2.99+ Developed by:  Nemory Studios Last Updated: October 5, 2016 Get Face10 from Blackberry World Comments: You can see all the features at work for 2 days. Thereafter it switches to Lite mode only requiring payment. To continue, using the full features you will need to purchase Face10 Pro and Messenger Pro. I found viewing galleries a little disappointing as I could not move from one photo to another. Commenting on friend's post was easy and it displayed the comments nicely. We wo...

The headline of Claire Reilly ’s article on CNet entitled " Facebook wants to be everywhere, except BlackBerry " is a shame and so is the article, for the most part. The article fails to make the critical distinction between Blackberry Phones running BBOS 7 and earlier, BB 10 and Android operating systems. Facebook is ending support for APIs on BBOS 7 and BB10. However, support for Android devices continues. Absolutely no where in the article is that important distinction made. Android Devices Not Affected Therefore owners of the newer Blackberry Priv , the Android power device, have absolutely no need to be concerned. The native Facebook app will continue to work on your device. Additionally, because many Android Apps, including versions of Facebook app, can run on the BB10 OS there are options available. Additional there are 3rd Party apps for Facebook to tide users over. While the end of BB10, and certainly BBOS 7, is near, millions continue to use those mobile...

Apple has gone down market with the new cheaper iPhone SE launched today, although they won't admit it. The iPhone SE comes with a 4-inch screen, similar to what was found in the earlier devices like the iPhone5/5S. It comes with an A9 Chip, the same processor as the iPhone 6S. This means the smaller phone will just as powerful as the larger model. The battery life is expected to be better that the iPhone 6S given the smaller display size. The design is very similar to the iPhone 5/5s with flat sides, not the round edges found in the iPhone 6.The key feature missing will  be 3D touch and for most that will be no big deal. The new device will cost only US$399 for the 16GB model, the cheapest Apple has ever offered an iPhone to the market. The 64GB model will cost $499. The available colors are silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold. Users can begin ordering on March 24, 2016. The price is down market but the iPhone SE is representative of a quality Apple product. Smaller...

The anger of Blackberry users directed at Facebook was at a level I never quite expected.  Many also directed their anger at Blackberry until they understood who the real culprit in the situation was Facebook. The reviews of the "Facebook"  app on Blackberry World  tell the story. The resulting backlash e ven saw the Blackberry CEO, John Chen,  taking to Twitter , pleading his case for Blackberry and expressing solidarity with his BB10 users with the hashtag  #ILoveBB10apps. Why Facebook? According to Blackberry, Facebook mandated the changes . “Facebook made the decision to discontinue support of their essential APIs for BlackBerry and WhatsApp announced they would end support for BlackBerry 10 and BBOS at the end of 2016", said Lou Gazzalo, Senior Marketing Manager, Developer Relations at BlackBerry, on their  official Blog page . Blackberry Central   probably summed up the situation best with this statement, “the answer comes down t...

On Thursday January 21, 2016 Pastor Gl en Samuels uttered the following at the National Prayer Breakfast in Jamaica - "It makes no sense to have a $5,000 hairstyle on a $5 head". Four days later, Monday, January 25, 2016, those words continue to dominate day-time and evening radio talk programmes across Jamaica. For greater clarity and to place the utterance in context the full statement was - "It makes no sense to have a $5,000 hairstyle on a $5 head, it’s better to have more in the head than what is on the head”. What in the world is offensive about this? It is symbolic and it has context. It is simply about the practice of many in Jamaica, across all social strata and gender, often preferring to adorn themselves with outward 'bling' while little, in contrast, is being spent to increase their intellectually capacity. Many will spend “1000” times more on fashion and bling than on education. Is it not truth that this is happening? Where is it better to spend yo...