Preparing to Root

Tools & Downloads

To use the DingleBerry rooting tool on your PlayBook, you'll need your PlayBook; a micro USB cable, and the DingleBerry rooting tool. You will not need BlackBerry Desktop software or copies of old operating system versions, and I strongly suspect you will not be required to sign up for the OS 2.x beta. 

Download DingleBerry 3.x

Turn on Development Mode for your PlayBook

Touch the gear icon in the upper right of your PlayBook's screen to open its options. Scroll through the list on the left until you find Security. From the list that appears on the right, tap Development Mode. Set the slider tab sitting next to User Development Mode to On. If you have not yet set a password for your PlayBook, you will be prompted to do so now. Make it something that's easy to remember; you'll be entering this password a great deal during this process. This will also become the password for your PlayBook tablet; DO NOT FORGET IT. If you have already set a password for your tablet, you'll be required to enter it before the PlayBook will enter development mode.

Take a look at that development address; you'll need it later. It is usually best to leave it set at the default setting of 169.254.0.1.

Unzip and Start the DingleBerry rooting tool

If you downloaded DingleBerry 3.x from the DingleBerry.it website, you'll receive a .zip file containing all of the files for the rooting tool. Unzip the files to a place where you can easily find them; I recommended the unzipping the entire archive to a folder on the desktop. Make sure Development Mode is active on your PlayBook and attach the tablet to your computer with a micro USB cable. When first connected to the computer, you should be asked for your PlayBook password. This is the password you used or set when turning on Development Mode.

In the DingleBerry folder you created while unzipping the archive, Start the DingleBerry application.

Are you running 2.0.0.4869?

The easiest PlayBook OS version to root is 2.0.0.4869. If that OS is not running on your PlayBook, you'll need to upgrade or downgrade as necessary. Unfortunately, time did not permit me to try different permutations of DingleBerry'ing a PlayBook; i.e., a PlayBook running 1.0.8.6067 (consumer build), a PlayBook running 2.0.0.4869, and a PlayBook running 2.0.0.6149.

Since I was running 2.0.0.6149, DingleBerry made it incredibly easy to downgrade my PlayBook by downloading and installing 2.0.0.4869 with very little help from me. I strongly suspect that users running 1.0.8.6067 will find themselves prompted to allow DingleBerry to download and install the .4869 update for them. I imagine the process for upgrading and downgrading to be much the same.

Downgrading from .6149

In previous articles, we've talked about downgrading the OS on your BlackBerry PlayBook, but the process was not a simple one. With nearly split-second timing, you would have needed to copy files into a certain folder on your computer. Copy them too late, and it won't do any good. Copy them too early, and you could find yourself with corrupted files.

DingleBerry 3.x brings an end to those days. After starting the DingleBerry application, you'll see a friendly button at the top that says Downgrade OS. If you're running the latest consumer build (1.0.8.6067), clicking the Downgrade OS will actually upgrade your version number.  Still, the process is the same.

Clicking the Downgrade OS button, you'll be presented with a window that will allow you to upgrade/downgrade your OS. You'll need to download the 2.0.0.4869 version of the PlayBook's OS, but that's all handled from within the app. Click inside the box that says "Click here to Download" and DingleBerry will find and download the files you need.

There's no need to start BlackBerry Desktop Software to install the OS to your PlayBook. Clicking the Downgrade button at the bottom of the window will send the software to the tablet and start the install procedure. Your PlayBook will let you know the OS is being updated. Once your BlackBerry tablet is running 2.0.0.4869, you'll be able to use DingleBerry to root the device.

Rooting

Now that your PlayBook is running the latest rootable verson of the OS - 2.0.0.4869, you'll be able to jailbreak that device with just a few clicks of the mouse. After downgrading or upgrading, click the Continue button found at the bottom of the window to begin the process.

For folks - like me - who've spent a bit of time with the DingleBerry interface, the next screen with the big blue box will look familiar. Where we once spent time using DingleBerry and BlackBerry Desktop software to root the PlayBook, all of the rooting tasks are now handled here.

Enter your PlayBook's password at the top, and then click continue. DingleBerry 3.x takes care of deploying some data to your device, creating a backup, and restoring the backup. The end result is that your PlayBook is rooted. The tablet even gives you a nice message stating that the root has been successful.

Congratulations, you've rooted your PlayBook!

Does your web browser work?

If you're like me, you used DingleBerry 3.x to downgrade your PlayBook from .6149 to .4869. This tends to cause some problems with the web browser and the Android system. Both apps seem to hang or freeze once they've been started.

An interesting side effect of downgrading is that these two files don't seem to be affected when the downgrade happens. Thus, you have the .4869 OS trying to use .bar files created for the 2.0.0.6149 version. The two don't really get along. The easiest fix is to simply replace the sys.android.bar and sys.browser.bar files with their .4869 equivalent. It's easy; we'll use DDBP Installer to do all the hard work. First, download and unzip the two .bar files found in the download link below.

Download sys.android.bar and sys.browser.bar 

Using DDPB to sideload PlayBook .bar files

Download DDPB Installer v1.0.8

Now install and start that application. On the left side, enter your PlayBook's IP address and your PlayBook's password. You should already be in Development Mode (if not, be sure to turn it on). If you left the address set to its default value when you enabled Development Mode, you'll enter 169.254.0.1 as your PlayBook's address. Click the button marked "Connect" and the information below will populate. You'll need to be connected to the PlayBook before you can sideload apps.

At the top of DDPB screen, you'll see a button marked Add. Click it and then find the two .bar files that you just downloaded in the step before this one. Click on sys.Android.bar and then choose Ok or Open. Repeat this process for sys.browser.bar. Now, click the box next to sys.Android.bar and sys.browser.bar so that a check mark appears beside them. Finally, click the Install button found at the bottom of the DDPB screen.

Wait. It does seem to take a good while - maybe 5-10 minutes - to get these .bar files loaded and installed on your PlayBook. The application will tell you when it's finished. Once done, you'll find that the browser works just fine now.

What's Next?

Rooting or jailbreaking (however you want to call it) was once a difficult and laborious process that seemed - to some - to fail more often than it worked. With the release of DingleBerry 3.x, the process is dead simple. Plus, since I don't have to sign up for the 2.0 beta, my PlayBook doesn't end up in limbo for 24 hours if I want to perform a factory reset.

BlackBerry Blend

Put simply: this is an absolute KILLER feature. Basically, BlackBerry Blend allows you to pick up emails, texts and BBMs on a PC, MAC or tablet when you’re away from your phone (or can’t be bothered to take it out of your pocket). BlackBerry Blend works across Wi-Fi, mobile data and via USB. The big deal here though is obviously the fact that Blend works on 3G and 4G, as this technically means –– although, please note, I haven’t tested this out myself –– that you can access your BlackBerry from a PC or tablet anywhere in the world, providing you have Blend installed and your BlackBerry, wherever it is, is switched on. 

What You’ll Need To Run BlackBerry Blend: 

• BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3 or later
• Computer using Windows 7 and later or Mac OS X 10.7 and later
• Tablet using Android 4.4 or later or iOS 7.0 or later
• IPv6 networking enabled

Got all that? Right, now all you need to do is visit THIS WEB ADDRESS and download and install BlackBerry Blend on your tablet or PC. The setup process itself is a four-stage affair, so once it’s downloaded, simply click through the steps and you’re done – it should take no more than five minutes.

Next, do this:

• On your computer or tablet, open BlackBerry Blend
• If your device is connected to your computer using a USB cable, click USB Cable Connection
• If your computer or tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network or the mobile network, click Wireless
• When prompted, sign with your BlackBerry ID
• After a connection is made, verify that the passkey on your device matches the passkey on your computer or tablet
• If your device is password protected, type your password
• Optionally, click Remain signed in if you do not want to enter your password again when connecting to BlackBerry Blend
• Congrats! You’re now officially a BlackBerry Blend user. 

Imaging In BlackBerry 10.3

BlackBerry has also made quite a few refinements to BB10.3’s imaging capabilities, which you can now experience aboard the BlackBerry Passport. Below is a breakdown of all the new imaging capabilities present inside BB10.3’s camera application: 

Faster Focus: Previously, BB10 was a bit sluggish in the auto-focus department but now, inside BlackBerry 10.3, it is thankfully a lot faster. There is also an option to select faces, so your subject will always be in focus – even if they move positions. Similarly, if you just want to snap a quick picture, simply tap on the focus area, wait a beat, and then snap your shot –– it’ll be in perfect focus every time.

Auto HDR: If your viewfinder observes a scene with lots of dynamic lighting, say, a sunset or something similar, it will suggest you switch to HDR in order to get the best possible shot. All you have to do is select HDR when prompted, take the shot, and wait for the resulting image, complete with awesome highs and lows and contrast, to appear on your screen.

Panorama: Like iOS and Android, BB10.3 now does panorama shots. Just select the option inside the Camera application and then track from left to right and BB10.3 will stitch the image together. Remember to keep the phone steady, though, otherwise you’ll get all kinds of errors and glitches in the shot.

TimeShift Improvements: You can now add TimeShift effects to shots after you’ve taken the picture, so if someone’s face isn’t quite right, you can just switch backwards in time and find a shot of them looking less weird. Ideal for those who can’t help blinking every time you take their picture. 

Improved Filter Options: Once you’ve taken a picture, you can begin adding filters to finish everything off professionally. BB10 has always had filters, but in BB10.3 they’re implemented in a much more intuitive manner, meaning you can apply them more liberally and get better end results. 

BlackBerry Passport Keyboard Hacks 

Here’s a selection of useful keyboard shortcuts designed to make typing, editing and working with the Passport’s QWERTY a lot faster and easier: 

• Long press on a key to capitalise a letter.
• Tap the backspace key to delete one letter at a time; hold down backspace key to delete entire words.
• Running Shift –– to quickly select text for highlighting, hold the virtual shift key and drag your finger to the end of the section you want to highlight.
• Fast Text Insertion –– double tap the keyboard and drag your finger across the word or to the part of the sentence you want to insert something onto.  
• Press “t” to navigate to the top of a page or app.
• Press “b” to go to the bottom.
• Press “space bar” to scroll down a page or app.
• Press “n” or “p” to move between sections headers. 

Installing Android Apps On BlackBerry Passport

The BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry 10.3 OS have nothing to do with Google or its Android platform. But thanks to the power of QNX, BlackBerry users can install Android applications directly onto BB10.3-powered units like the BlackBerry Passport (note: older versions of the OS require you to side-load the applications). This means all you have to do to get Android applications (things like Chrome, Drive and Instagram) up and running on your BlackBerry Passport is download a client like SNAP –– SNAP gives you full access to most of Google Play’s applications direct from your BlackBerry Passport, which, obviously, is bloody awesome –– or browse through the numerous third-party stores that offer APK files for BB10, such as:

• 1mobile Market
• APK Train (website)
• Snap APK Downloader 

Improved Active Frames

BlackBerry 10 has always had pretty decent multitasking, largely thanks to QNX and Active Frames. Prior to BB10.3, your most recent applications occupied the top left hand corner within Active Frames. Inside BB10.3, however, you’re free to rearrange the Active Frames as you like, meaning you can open your eight favorite applications and have them remain in exactly the same spot, which is great for quickly checking things throughout the day. 

Lock Screen Notifications + More Information

This isn’t a new feature to be fair but BlackBerry has added in some new functionality which allows you to see more of what’s contained inside any given notification be it a BBM, a Tweet or an email. For instance, say somebody @’s you on Twitter, this will appear in the BlackBerry Hub, obviously, but it will also appear on your Passport’s lockscreen too. And if you tap on the lockscreen notification it will expand to reveal more details about the tweet, as you can see in the below image:

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

BlackBerry Assistant 

Like Siri and Google Now, AND Cortana, BlackBerry Assistant is a personal assistant and like the aforementioned services it too can make appointments for you, read out texts and emails aloud (ideal if you’re driving), take notes, and set up meetings and reminders in your calendar application. This is BlackBerry’s first attempt at a digital assistant, so the company has sensibly kept the features-list simple and essential –– there are no witty remarks or quips, just useful features housed inside a well presented application. 

Universal Search

BlackBerry has always had decent universal search, but in BB10.3 it integrates with BlackBerry Assistant too, meaning you can quickly add a calendar event or reminder just by typing a few short commands – typing, “Cal,” for instance, brings up options for both calling people and adding calendar appointments. You can also just start typing something on the Passport, say, Alien: Isolation, for instance, and then select Twitter or Facebook, Bing or Google to search there for whatever you’re looking for.