Upgrading to the BlackBerry 7.1 OS from BlackBerry 7 will earn customers 10 free apps through June 3.
In an effort to push users away from 7.0, the company is offering 10 pre-selected paid apps to users in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the UK.
Blackberry 7.1 was released in 2011 and was one of the last noticeable changes to the company’s OS before it released the BB10 OS in early 2013.
BlackBerry has made the offer available for the following devices: BlackBerry Curve 9360/9380, BlackBerry Bold 9790/9900, BlackBerry Torch 9810/9860, and the Porsche Design P9981.
Upgrading BlackBerry users receive the following pre-selected apps: EA Sports FIFA 13, The Sims 3 Supernatural, BeWeather, Screen Muncher, Color ID Free, InstaPhoto, DriveSafely Pro, NOVA for BBM, UNO and Friends, and Photo Studio Pro.
Upgrading to Blackberry 7.1 has some additional benefits outside of 10 free apps. The new OS offers FM radio improvements, BlackBerry TAG, Wi-Fi Calling, and mobile hotspot functionality. BlackBerry 7.1 also brings with it various bug fixes and security enhancements.
While security fixes are offered with the upgrade, the OS is still several years behind in terms of modern technologies that allow for a more secure mobile device.
Given that the average user updates their cellular device every two years, the move will likely be most welcomed in areas where turn around times are lower because of the cost associated with devices.
The 10 free BlackBerry apps offer is noticeably missing in the United States and BlackBerry’s home country of Canada.
Will you be upgrading your legacy device to the BlackBerry 7.1 OS, or have you already moved on to a new platform.
