For my second writing post, what I’ll be talking about is the hardware and software of BlackBerry…
HARDWARE
For BlackBerry, modern LTE phones that are based can be the Z10 which has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus 1.5 GHz Dual-Core CPU and an Adreno 225 1.5-1.7 GHz GPU. For other BlackBerry phones being GSM-based, they have incorporation with either the 7, 9 or 11 processor of ARM. Some of their models would have a 1.2 GHz MSM8655 Snapdragon Processor 768 MB of storage memory and 8GB of on-board storage. The Curve 9360, an entry-level model features a Marvell PXA940 that clocks at 800 MHz. Previously, the Bold 9000, a BlackBerry device was equipped with the Intel XScale 624 MHz processor. A newer version of the Bold 9000’s processor is the Bold 9700 which clocks at the same speed. The Curve 8520 features a 512 MHz processor while smartphones of BlackBerry 8000 such as the 8700 and Pearl are based on the 312 MHz ARM XScale ARMv5TE PXA900.
The latest flagship phone to be given by BlackBerry is the Z30 which is based on a 5″ Super AMOLED, a 1280×780 resolution at a 295 ppl 24-bit color depth and is powered by Quad-Graphics and Qualcomm’s Dual Core 1.7 GHz MSM8960T Pro. The first BlackBerry system to be released in late 2015 of November was with an Android operating system, the 192 gram/6.77 ounce Priv. What BlackBerry’s expectations were is to sell their smartphone in 31 countries by February 28, 2016 as it was initially available in four countries. More about BlackBerry’s hardware, The Qualcomm 8992 Snapdragon 808 Hexa-Core, 64-bit, Adreno 418, 600 MHz GPU with 3GB RAM processor. With their unit, it equips with a 5.4 inch curved (2560 x 1440) OLED display and a sliding QWERTY keyboard that hides while not used. Also available is Google’s voice recognition which allows for e-mails to be dictated. What the Priv retains is their 10 best features of BlackBerry. As said about the Priv, its 3, 410mAh battery is to be provided by 22.5 hours of mixed use. Moreover, the 18-megapixel camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens can even record 4K video and a secondary selfie camera is also provided. There were several apps that had uniqueness to the Priv during availability by the middle of December from GooglePlay.
SOFTWARE
Here is BlackBerry 10, a new operating system that is released for Z10 and Q10 which are the two new models of BlackBerry. During 2012 of BlackBerry World, Thorsten Heins, the CEO of RIM had a demonstration of some of the new features for the OS. Other new features included were:
- A camera of photos being able to rewind frame-by-frame and allow selections of its best shots
- A keyboard with intelligence, prediction and adaptation
- A user interface designed around the idea of “peek” and “flow” with a base of gesture
Through the storefront of BlackBerry World, the BlackBerry 10 devices has apps that are either available for free or within its cost. A proprietary multitasking environment RIM developed was BlackBerry OS, the previous operating system for developing older BlackBerry devices. About BlackBerry OS, their operating system has a design of use for devices with input such as the track wheel, track bail and track pad. Also, the OS provides support for Java MIDP 1.0 and WAP 1.2. Some of their previous versions had wireless synchronization which were allowed with Microsoft Exchange Server email and calendar as well as with Lotus Domino email. The 5.0 version of OS provides a subset of MIDP 2.0 and can allow complete wireless activation and synchronization with Exchange email, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts and even add support for Novell GroupWise and Lotus Notes. The most recent device launched in 2011 was BlackBerry OS as it had main features like the Curve 9360, Torch 9810, Bold 9900/9930, Curve 9310/9320 and Torch 9850/9860.
Before 2013, App World was known as BlackBerry App World but now it is called as BlackBerry World. Through BlackBerry World, their devices have apps which are available within them. As well with third-party developers, they can write software by using APIS and BlackBerry APIS. For any application, they can make use of functionality which is certainly restricted and should digitally sign so that it can make association with RIM’s developer account. What RIM provides are tools to develop applications and themes through BlackBerry. Through BlackBerry World and Over the Air, applications and themes can be loaded onto their devices either from its mobile browser or its desktop manager. With BlackBerry devices as well as Android, iOS and platforms of Windows Phone, they are able to use BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), software for sending and receiving instant messages, voice notes, images and videos via BlackBerry PIN.
With BlackBerry cellphones, most messages can be free of charge as long as they have a data plan. In 2013 of April, there was an announcement given by BlackBerry regarding their streaming music service and BBM music to be shut down since its two years of their launch which was active. On June 2, 2013, BlackBerry closed its service of BBM music. In 2014 of July, a new feature for BlackBerry OS 10.3 and BlackBerry Passport hardware was revealed by BlackBerry which is BlackBerry Assistant. It is like a digital personal assistant that can help others to keep themselves productive, informed and organized. In 2014 of December, a healthcare-focused data provider to help give doctors the ability of accessing patients’ genetic data was launched and it is called NantHealth. It is a secure cancer genome browser that is used on the BlackBerry Passport smartphone.
BlackBerry 