BlackBerry 7.1 gives NFC a job

Research In Motion has announced that the BlackBerry 7.1 operating system is now available for download in South Africa. Among other things, the new OS incorporates BlackBerry Tag which allows users to share content between NFC enabled smartphones.

BlackBerry 7.1, the latest version of the BlackBerry smartphone OS, is now available for customers in South Africa. The update is available for the BlackBerry Bold 9900, BlackBerry Torch 9810, BlackBerry Curve 9360 and 9380 smartphones, and the Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry. Customers can upgrade their smartphones to BlackBerry 7.1 for free over the air, by browsing to http://za.blackberry.com/services/blackberry7/, or using BlackBerry Desktop Software.

BlackBerry 7.1 incorporates BlackBerry Tag, a new way to share content with other BlackBerry customers using near field communications (NFC) technology. By tapping two NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones together, customers can share contact information, pictures, a URL from the browser or documents. BlackBerry Tag can also be used to invite a friend to BBM™ or to pair their BlackBerry smartphone with an NFC enabled Bluetooth® device.

With BlackBerry 7.1, customers can be productive from virtually anywhere. Now they can turn their BlackBerry smartphone into a mobile hotspot that can be shared by up to 5 Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including laptops and tablets.

A new Battery Saving Mode feature has been added which allows customers to extend the battery life of their BlackBerry smartphone when it is most needed. The new feature provides customers the option to have their smartphone settings automatically adjusted when the battery power reaches a level pre-defined by the customer. Some of the settings the Battery Saving Mode will automatically adjust include the brightness level, backlight timeout, and the mobile hotspot auto shutdown timer.

Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or BlackBerry Curve 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio is already built in to the BlackBerry Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 enables this feature that allows them to tune in and enjoy FM radio stations.

For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update, visit http://za.blackberry.com/services/blackberry7/.

1 The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update is subject to carrier certification. Please check for availability with your service provider.

2 Please visit http://za.blackberry.com/update/ to find out more on how to update your BlackBerry smartphone software

3 Mobile hotspot feature requires BlackBerry 7.1 and may require an additional data plan. Please check with your service provider.

4 To perform this task, you must have a wired headphone plugged into your BlackBerry smartphone.

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