What you can't do ...with BlackBerry 10

Apologies

First of all, I must apologise for the delay in getting this published. I won't dwell on the circumstances, but suffice to say that a series of unfortunate events distracted me from releasing this post. Now onto the first "...with BlackBerry" article for this blog.

Why this first?

The first article takes it inspiration from the BlackBerry Superbowl 2013 commercial. In it, the tagline is "in 30 seconds, its quicker to tell you what it can't do" and I thought I would focus on this for those who still haven't been able to get access to BlackBerry 10.

Across the blogosphere you can find articles describing what you can do with the new BlackBerry Z10. Some people have asked me over the last two weeks whether this or that is available and so I thought I would dispel fact from fiction. This article will tell you many things you can't do, and some of the fixes for them so far.

BlackBerry applications

Applications made or endorsed by BlackBerry in the past have been generally more reliable than third party applications. This is not to say that all third party apps are bad, it is just safe to assume that the default applications will work as you expect. Some applications that you have used previously won't be there when you unbox your new device. Some will also have had a face lift. Here is a summary of what to expect when you get your hands on a Z10.

Default applications

Included

These applications are separate 'apps' accessible from the home screen that are installed when you get your BlackBerry 10 device (see screenshots*).

 

BlackBerry applications available for download

On OS 7 and earlier, searching for BlackBerry or Research in Motion would provide you with a series of applications including: BlackBerry Travel, Google Talk, etc. On BlackBerry 10, the same search will present you with BlackBerry Bridge, BlackBerry Work Drives and a BlackBerry 10 Pop Quiz.

Updated

For BlackBerry 10, many apps have received a face lift and some of the icons will be unfamiliar. Below is a list of some of the obvious changes BlackBerry have made.

Contacts

The contacts icon has had its edges tidied up and works much like the PlayBook tablet version of the application (minus the BlackBerry 10 edges).

Missing

Various applications were missing when I started up my Z10. Notably password keeper, blackberry travel, social feeds, FM radio and Wikitude. Some things have been implemented into the OS such as BlackBerry Protect, which is now a setting and not a stand-alone app.

UPDATE: Password Keeper, BlackBerry Travel and Wikitude places are now available on the BlackBerry World storefront.

This comparison is between OS 7.1 and the new BlackBerry 10 operating system.
*The Amazon, Kindle, Duolingo, PlayCloud, BlackBerry Beta, BlackBerry Virtual Expert, BlackBerry Beta Zone, BlackBerry Bridge, Enterprise IM, and BlackBerry Work Drives apps are not installed by default as of BB10 os 10.2.0.424.