BlackBerry improves Priv's Camera, Launcher, and Keyboard

BlackBerry has just launched an array of updates for key stock applications on the Priv smartphone. These include serious upgrades to the BlackBerry Launcher, the default keyboard, and the stock camera app. The updates are now available in the Google Play Store, so you can head over there to grab them right away or just wait for the updates to hit your device in due course. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what these updates bring to the table.

For the camera app, we get slow motion capability. Once updated, the Priv’s camera app will support smooth slow motion that’s up to four times slower than normal speed. This can be accessed through the “Mode” button, and will record video at 120 fps. When this is played back at 30 fps, you can get some pretty sweet slo-mo effects. Unfortunately, audio is not supported yet for this feature. In addition to slow motion, there have also been some general improvements to stability and performance.

The keyboard is getting better at predictive typing. Like Swiftkey, the Priv’s prediction engine will now prowl through your email and message history to get a better read on the kinds of words you use more frequently. The keyboard can now suggest names from your contacts as well. Some tweaks and modifications have also been made to improve accuracy and control.

For the launcher, we’re looking at a new organizational scheme that separates Recent, Personal, and Work apps. It’s easier than ever to clean up a cluttered home screen, because now you can just flick them away. Overlays providing users relevant information are now smarter and cleaner looking, and if you’ve installed apps on an SD card but currently have that card removed, the Priv will still display the app’s icon but it will be inactive and grayed out.

To grab these updates, click the buttons below to head over to the Play Store. Also, let us know what your thoughts are about these updates to the Priv’s stock apps. Will this be enough to make them competitive with third party apps? Tell us your opinion in the comments below.