If you’re a proud owner of a BlackBerry OS 7.0 device, you should know that the 7.1 update is out, bringing some brilliant NFC goodness to your device. The update was first introduced here at the BlackBerry Booth during the Internet and Mobile Show 2012, where users could upgrade their software before the actual release. Despite the update coming out a few weeks ago, many BlackBerry users had trouble upgrading their device since the BlackBerry desktop manager failed to show any update.
To introduce the new update to the public, RIM has set up upgrade kiosks in various malls across UAE. The update is free of charge and takes about 30 minutes (I guess it also depends on the number of devices they have in queue) to complete. You also get a replacement smartphone to use while the upgrade happens, so those of you who feel crippled without a Blackberry, you have got your fix right there.
BlackBerry smartphone users can visit an upgrade station at the following malls:
- Axiom, Jackys, Plug Ins and Sharaf DG at Dubai Mall: 11 May to 02 June; 08-30 June
- Jumbo Electronics at Mall of the Emirates: 11-22 May; 09 June to 07 July
- Sharaf DG at Deira City Centre: 13 May to 07 July
- Plug Ins at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall: 10 May to 02 June; 08-30 June
- Axiom at Mirdif City Centre: 10 May to 10 June
BlackBerry smartphones that can be upgraded to OS 7.1 include the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900, BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810, BlackBerry® Torch ™ 9860, BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360, BlackBerry® Curve™ 9380 and the Porsche Design P’9881 smartphone from BlackBerry®.
With BlackBerry 7.1, BlackBerry smartphone users will now be able to share information and content by simply tapping their NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone against another NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone. They can instantly invite a friend to BBM, exchange contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content. OS 7.1’s enhanced Universal Search function, which uses auto-suggest and intelligently filters Bing® search results, offers users a variety of relevant Web sites based on their search terms. The update also brings fun and engaging ways to communicate via an updated BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) app, which brings with it new emoticons, animated avatars and the ability to customize chat bubble colours.
