BlackBerry Priv Marshmallow update now available to download

After a shorter than anticipated beta period, BlackBerry has officially brought Marshmallow to the Priv. The company says the first set of Priv devices to get Android 6.0 will be ones that were purchased directly from ShopBlackBerry, with the carrier update “coming soon.”

BlackBerry CEO John Chen said in a statement, “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.”

BlackBerry notes in its changelog that the Marshmallow update adds further security enhancements, via the DTEK app, to the company’s implementation of Android.

Here is the complete list of enhancements and improvements to the Marshmallow-powered Priv:

• Customized Personal Data Permissions – Apps demand access to personal data, even when it’s not necessary for the app to function properly. DTEK gives the power back to users to control what to share and when. Turn permissions off at any time and still continue to use the app.
• 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.
• S/MIME Support – The new S/MIME feature in BlackBerry Hub adds another level of security by allowing users to digitally sign and encrypt their emails.
• More Emoji – Users now have access to over 200 new and updated emojis.
• New Gesture Typing – The new swipe capability allows users to slide their fingers from key to key to enter words on the virtual and/or physical keyboard.
• Enhanced Word Prediction – Better word predictions anticipate the next word based on where users place their fingers on keys. Predictive typing now also learns words with numbers and provides better name suggestions based on a user’s contacts.
• Better Cursor Control – Activate “Cursor Control” mode on the physical keyboard for easier positioning and control. Tapping a key on the physical keyboard more accurately places the focus cursor on screen.
• Mute Indicator – Users can now see the phone’s mute status at a glance via the floating phone indicator that appears when a call is active. Green for when call is active and not muted, yellow for when a call is active and currently muted.
• New Apps in BlackBerry Hub – Staying connected with friends has never been simpler. Now view notifications from app favorites Instagram, Skype, Slack and Pinterest directly in BlackBerry Hub to easily manage all messages in one place.
• Updated BlackBerry Launcher – Better organize apps and widgets into Recent, Personal, and Work sections. Pop-up Widgets are now turned on by default for new users. Set a default home screen, delete a home screen, and remove apps with a flick.
• More Battery Life: Get even more out of PRIV with updates to further improve the battery life. 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.
• Capture Professional and Cinematic Quality Videos – Record videos at 24fps in 4k, 1080p or 720p, for high-quality footage to share on social media.
• Slow Motion Video* – Capture smooth slow motion video with the PRIV’s camera that’s up to four times slower. Capture video at 120 fps, which plays back smoothly at 30 fps. The slow motion effect can be applied after taking the video and can be applied to all or any portion of the video.

[source] BlackBerry [/source]