More BlackBerry Hub+ apps added, service extended to Android Lollipop

The BlackBerry Hub has launched for other Android 6.0 Marshmallow phones last month. This means it’s not just the BlackBerry phones who can enjoy the services as other Android phones can now use the productivity apps and tools previously exclusive for BlackBerry 10 and the PRIV. The Hub makes the BlackBerry experience more complete. Meanwhile, the Hub+ is more of a subscription service–an extension of the BlackBerry tools like the Calendar, Hub, and Password Keeper to other mobile devices running Android.

The launch of the Hub+ means over one billion Android users can experience a bit of BlackBerry. However, the suite didn’t launch with all tools but today, all productivity apps are now available for all Android users. Apps such as Contacts, Device Search, Notes, Tasks, and Launcher are now ready for use.

Hub+ was announced as a free service on Android. The new apps can still be used for the next 30 days as a free trial but after that, access will be $0.99 per month. That’s a small price to pay for all those BlackBerry apps. More good news? The BlackBerry Hub+ is now extended to Android 5.0 Lollipop devices with 2GB RAM as a minimum requirement.

For this month, BlackBerry also just released software updates for the PRIV and DTEK50. Other Android phones are also getting the same updates for the BlackBerry Hub+ services including support for Hub+ subscriptions, changes on the Hub Widget, user experience updates, conversation view enhancements, email signatures, easy printing, and SCEP / Cert-based Authentication.

The Keyboard app also gets some customised symbols, keyboard stats, and Japanese input. The Calendar now supports Hub+ subscriptions plus there’s a new Quick reminder and Out of Office availability. Other new enhancements include those in Contacts (Copy Contacts Across Accounts) and Notes/Tasks.

SOURCE: BlackBerry (1),(2)