If you are rocking a Z10, Q10 or Q5 you'll be eagerly awaiting the release of OS 10.3 later this summer. So lets take a look at what we've got to look forward to:
New UI
'Signature Action': The action bar at the bottom of the screen has been updated for a simpler, cleaner experience. The most commonly used action is in the center of the bar and highlighted with blue color to give it focus. The secondary actions flank the primary or 'signature action' for functionality. The main action is static for each app/screen.
Updated Icons: While the SDK doesn't include all the updated icons for the new 10.3 look, all apps will receive a fresh new treatment. The box around the icons in BlackBerry 10 has been removed to give icons a clean, new look.
Home Screen
Endless Folders: That's right, now you can jam more apps into a single folder, as you can have pages and pages of applications. For those of you who have multiple folders that you want to combine into one, just drag and drop a folder onto another and it will merge the apps into a single folder. No folders within folders for this release.
Empty Home Screen: One of the changes made to the home screen is making the "running apps grid" always there even if you close your last application. Less confusion, more predictability for end users. Also, it's a great way to show off your wallpaper! A new two-finger-swipe gesture has been added to BlackBerry OS 10.3
Fast Quick Settings Access: Changing system settings from anywhere is only a two-finger-swipe away. From within any application a two-finger-swipe from the top will pull down the systems quick settings menu. Why two fingers rather than one? Well, simple, one-finger-swipe is already in use. To make that work would require all third-party applications being re-written. Don't worry, you can still use one-finger-swipe from the home screen itself.
Blog Bonus — More Apps on Screen: The BlackBerry Z3, Z10 & Z30 now get an extra row of apps. For my QWERTY friends rocking out on a Q5 or Q10, you get an extra column of apps.
BlackBerry Hub
Download All Attachments: A button has been added to the email screen that allows you to quickly download all email attachments. This is handy when you're heading offline onto, say, an airplane and want to have all your attachments on your device.
Delete Original Text: When replying to an email, you can now delete all of the original text.
Remote IMAP Search: Even if e-mail items are no longer on your BlackBerry they are still always available for you to find and view! Just customize your account sync window.
File Sent Messages: Allows you to file sent messages into specific folders defined in the mail box.
BlackBerry Hub "Reset": The BlackBerry Hub will now close / auto-save open content and default to the list after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Calendar & Remember
Weekly Agenda: A weekly agenda view has been added. The weeks are outlined at the top and you have a total agenda view for that week below.
Tasks in Calendar: Pretty simple addition that lets you create a task from within the calendar app itself, and of course see those tasks listed in the calendar. Tasks created in Remember will show in the calendar. Calendar-created tasks are also listed in Remember.
Notifications Meeting Mode: Ever been in a meeting and had your phone go off when it shouldn't have? Well here's a neat feature that should allow you to save face. The notification profile will be tweaked automatically based on your calendar. This, of course, is an opt-in feature, so don't worry that you'll start missing desired notifications.
Remember Updates: The tasks and notes are separated by a tab and as a user you'll have the ability to set what your default view is.
Miscellaneous
Camera: An updated UI makes it simpler to take a picture, switch between cameras and toggle certain features. The option to record in 720p at 30 fps and 60 has been added, as has a panoramic option and a timer.
File Picker Album View: When sending a picture from the file manager in BlackBerry 10.3, there's now an album view, just like within the Pictures app.
Settings List Re-arrange: In BlackBerry 10.3 you'll be able to re-arrange the order of the Settings menu, allowing you to move your most frequently-used items to the top.
Intelligent Assistant: This looks like a Siri-type function but isn't working on leaks at the moment so no-one is quite sure.
New keyboard layout and colors - Slightly changes the design to a more minimalist style.
Advanced Interaction Features are implemented to turn off the screen when the device is upside down or inside pocket to save battery. Pick up the phone from a flat surface and the screen will wake up.
Device Monitor will now run as an App so can be left in an Active Frame so it can be monitored easily.
Wallpaper can now be set on the home screen, lock screen or both.
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I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues. Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.
