BlackBerry upgrades Priv to Android 6.0

BlackBerry has released the Android 6.0 Marshmallow (Android M) operating system for Priv, its first smartphone fully powered by Android.

Priv with Android M is coming soon to major carriers offering the smartphone. Existing Priv users will be able to upgrade to Android M by downloading the software update on their device.

Android M on Priv promises users more ways to improve their mobile security by providing new opportunities to monitor and control privacy with its unique DTEK app.

Users will obtain greater productivity through enhancements to the BlackBerry keyboard, BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry launcher and battery performance. Updates to the BlackBerry camera will foster their creativity.

The BlackBerry Keyboard has been updated to provide better predictive typing, accuracy, and control. And there are customized notifications to better organise apps and manage productivity with a touch of a button.

When Priv is at rest, Doze automatically puts the device into a sleep state to increase standby battery life. The App Standby feature will keep infrequently used apps from impacting the battery life.

“Priv by BlackBerry is the most secure Android device in the market and we continue to find ways to further enhance users’ security and privacy by adding new features with the Marshmallow operating system update,” said John Chen, executive chairman and CEO of BlackBerry.

Building on BlackBerry’s legacy of security and keeping customer data private, DTEK by BlackBerry has been updated to empower users with more ways to monitor and control their privacy – better protecting PRIV from malware, hacks and data breaches.

Features include customized personal data permissions. DTEK gives the power back to users to control what to share and when. Users can turn permissions off at any time and still continue to use the app.

With, improved notification settings, users will only be shown notification controls for sensors that a given app has specifically requested access to. For example, if an application does not request microphone it will not appear in the list.