The BlackBerry 10.2.1 OS update has been tipped to start rolling out on January 28, according to multiple sources.
BlackBerry 10 was first announced around a year ago with devices like the BlackBerry Q10, which means it’s about time for the Canadian manufacturer to release a meatier update for its BB10 devices.
Although there’s been no official word from BlackBerry yet on the update’s release date, there is mounting evidence to suggest it is imminent.
For starters, there are BlackBerry developer events scheduled for the end of January to apparently show off BlackBerry 10.2.1, while elsewhere carriers report they’ve heard of a January release for the update.
A recently leaked OS 10.2.1.1925 beta has been updated with new files and been given a new date of January 8. The developer version of 10.2.1 OS is also available for download now.
According to multiple sources speaking to Crackberry, the release date will be January 28 with the update available in regions like EMEA and APAC. However, others claim it’ll be a global roll out.
We’re not sure as yet what features will be offered by the new OS update, but there are rumours of a pinch gesture in the Hub, custom quick settings, a new call screen, Device Monitor and picture passwords.
Originally, there was talk of the ability to run Android APK files simply by directly downloading them onto a BB10 device running 10.2.1, but BlackBerry issued an official statement saying that wouldn’t be a possibility:
“We can confirm there is no planned support for Google Play on BlackBerry,” read the statement. “BlackBerry World remains the primary source for trusted and curated BlackBerry applications and we continue to support open standards and open source tools so BlackBerry developers can continue to create apps on any of the development platforms we support.”
Read more: BlackBerry Z10 review
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
