[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Head over to ShopBlackBerry.com or hit your local retailer to get a hold of these awesome accessories, and share your favorite in the comments below!

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Get Cisco WebEx Meetings for BlackBerry 10 in BlackBerry World today to check out the functionality for yourself. Do you use WebEx in your daily work? How would a beautiful and functional mobile WebEx experience help you stay collaborative on the go? Share in the comments below.

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Box on BlackBerry 10 brings mobile cloud storage, access, and collaboration to a whole new level. With deep integration into the BlackBerry 10 platform, you’re able to instantly access files and media from your Box account via the File Manager, share files from your device straight to the cloud, and even open and edit them with apps like Documents To Go.

How will you use Box on BlackBerry 10? Share in the comments below.

(Shameless self-disclaimer: I’m a file hoarder of the worst sort. PowerPoint presentations on the enterprise road map from 2007? Still got ‘em. Press release from BlackBerry Pearl smartphone launch? In my media kit folder. Photos from my high school Euro-trip? Purple hair…what was I thinking?!)

Luckily for me, with BlackBerry 10, I now have access to my digital underworld of perfectly organized online file folders, spanning the far depths of my carefully curated folder collection.

Now that BlackBerry 10 has launched, we can officially spill the beans. Some of our favorite online file management and collaboration tools come not just pre-loaded, but deeply integrated into the BlackBerry 10 platform! With the graceful swipe of a fingertip, all BlackBerry 10 smartphone customers can now easily flow on over to a wide array of well-known and secure cloud storage and collaboration tools – Box and DropBox in particular.

With these tools, you can attach files from the cloud straight from the BlackBerry Hub, without needing to switch apps or leave your “compose” screen. There’s also the ability to press the “share” button (ie. when viewing a photo, file or video), and add that file directly into your cloud storage space. Using BlackBerry Balance, there is also the ability to see files from both your personal and work profile, if your work space is unlocked.

We’ve also designed it so that when you’re looking at content with File Manager, or when opening documents in Documents To Go, you can browse all of your cloud accounts too. Even your “recently used documents” include your latest cloud files!

For those who’ve already jumped on the cloud storage bandwagon – virtual high five! Points to you for your file-saving and sharing prowess. For those who have yet to experience the time-saving benefits, you are definitely going to appreciate why these tools have become so popular with the IT and business crowd. Using cloud storage apps like Box and DropBox means you can easily save, share and store files, all safely and securely in your own personal online file storage space. These tools allow you to virtually share your folders with friends, colleagues and business partners – no more need to exchange an old fashioned USB stick or be the culprit of sending the 20MB PowerPoint attachment that clogs up everyone’s inbox (queue collective sigh of relief).

At BlackBerry, we know our customers are powerful multi-taskers, always on the go with places to be and people to see. That’s why integrating cloud-based file sharing tools directly into our BlackBerry 10 platform was an easy decision. When drafting an email on your BlackBerry smartphone, having the ability to quickly flow over to your file management center and choose your file storage app of choice, is not only super convenient – but also a quick way to get stuff done. Through my testing of the file storage and sharing capabilities, I also quickly figured out that when drafting an email or document, all you have to do is click the attachment icon to add attachments – this happens instantly – straight from the cloud! Built on a core BlackBerry 10 cornerstone of removing the need for the old in-and-out paradigm, there was no need to switch between my file storage app and my email to add the attachment. Everything I needed to access to add my attachment was all at my fingertips by tapping the attachment icon!

I also prefer to travel without my laptop. With BlackBerry 10, I use cloud storage to simplify my life. By bringing my photos, docs, PowerPoints, spreadsheets and videos anywhere I go with my BlackBerry 10 smartphone, I can easily share my files wherever I am in the world. Last week, I was in a meeting and didn’t even need to bring my laptop to present a blog story idea to my colleagues. I was able to pull up my PowerPoint presentation via my cloud storage app of choice on my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. I quickly plugged in my micro HDMI cable, opened my cloud storage app and presented to everyone on our office projection screen – all from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

The possibilities are endless for staying organized with BlackBerry 10.

Have you tried out any of the file management apps mentioned in this blog post? If so, how has the experience been? Let me know by commenting below!

BlackBerry Work Drives is a free application for BlackBerry 10 devices that requires BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. This app enables BlackBerry customers to remotely access, edit and manage content located on enterprise network drives. Once the network drives are mapped through the Work Drives applications, native applications like File Manager and Documents To Go can be used to manage the network files and folders.

Key Features of the Work Drives app

• Mapping Network Drives: Connect and manage multiple network drives from your BlackBerry 10 smartphone
• File Manager Integration: Access documents and network folders from the File Manager application
• Document Management: Create and edit documents located on network drives using BlackBerry 10 applications like the bundled Documents To Go
• Email: Attach documents to email from shared network drives, and save attachments directly from an email to a shared network drive
• Note: BlackBerry Work Drives is supported on BlackBerry 10 devices provisioned on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. It requires installation of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 and BlackBerry Balance and works in the Work perimeter only. It requires BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.0 and above.

Putting BlackBerry Work Drives to Work

Throughout my testing of this capability, I was pleased to be able to edit my team budget via our shared network drive on my BlackBerry 10 smartphone, and upload the revised file back into our team drive – all from the comfort of my couch at home. All I had to do was connect my team’s network drive to my Work Drive application by typing in the network path and my login credentials. The network drive is also saved in my File Manager app, so I only needed to type in the file path once. Once your network drives are mapped through the Work Drives application, native applications like File Manager and Documents To Go kick in to help organize and manage the network files and folders.

Having the ability to access files stored on my various network drives with the tap of an icon from my smartphone means I have the freedom to work on whatever I need to, whenever I need to. Having this capability fully integrated within the BlackBerry 10 platform is an undeniable bonus for those who use network drives in their daily work. I don’t need to go into the office to plug in (although my BlackBerry co-workers are awesome), or carry my laptop around in my already overstuffed work bag to have direct access to my corporate network drive. After speaking with the product team about BlackBerry Work Drives on BlackBerry 10, it’s clear that we are committed to empowering connected BlackBerry customers who we know will embrace the mobility capabilities fully integrated within their BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

Do you use network drives at work? How will you use Work Drives on BlackBerry 10 to be productive on the go? Share in the comments below.

In celebration of the BlackBerry 10 launch, Box and BlackBerry have teamed up to give customers who use the popular cloud storage solution with a BlackBerry 10 smartphone up to 10GB of free storage. With Box integrated deeply into the BlackBerry 10 platform, this will enable even more collaboration, seamless sharing of documents and files, and quick access to what you need on the go.

How do I get my free 10 GB of storage?

Sign up for a Box account at www.box.com/bb10, pop open the Box app on your BlackBerry 10 smartphone, and if you’re a first time Box user you’ll immediately be provided with 10 GB of storage. For those of you who already use a Box account, you’ll be given the option to upgrade your account within a few months from its current capacity to the 10 GB amount. If you already have 10GB or more of storage, you won’t be eligible for the offer.

Learn more about the offer here: www.box.com/bb10

How do you use Box for collaboration? Share in the comments below.

1) Your BlackBerry 10 Smartphone Password

Okay, so passwords aren’t the sexiest feature, but you know what — they’re probably the most important piece of security you can implement! Passwords keep strangers out of your BlackBerry device and out of your personal info. Best of all, with BlackBerry 10, the passwords don’t need to be long or even hard to type.

When unlocking a BlackBerry 10 smartphone, you have 10 tries to enter the password, which means that your passwords don’t need to be long or complex. Suppose I told you that my BlackBerry 10 password was 4 random lower-case letters – a very simple password. How many tries, on average, do you think it would take to guess it? 100? 1000? Try over 200,000! Complex passwords are always more secure, but the key is to make your password hard to guess.

See that icon on the right side of the password box that looks like an eye? You can tap that anytime to see what you’re typing. This is great for making sure that you’re typing in the right password. To hide your password, simply tap the icon again.

Your BlackBerry 10 smartphone password is also required for you to modify many of the security settings. So if someone gets ahold of your phone and tries to remove your password, they won’t have any luck. The same applies for changing the timeout on your password, toggling the “Lock Device when Holstered” setting, and more.

To create a password, navigate to Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Password.

2) Your BlackBerry ID

One of the most stressful parts of moving to a new smartphone is backing up your data. BlackBerry ID makes switching devices a breeze. If you lose or change your BlackBerry smartphone or tablet, your BlackBerry ID will remember your information and apps to make the switch easy.

Even better, BlackBerry ID is your single sign-in to BlackBerry sites, services and applications. Apps like BlackBerry World, BlackBerry Protect, and of course BBM all use BlackBerry ID. With a single password, you can protect the BlackBerry services that matter most to you.

When you start your new BlackBerry 10 smartphone, you will be asked to create or sign in with your BlackBerry ID. You can also manage your BlackBerry ID anytime by navigating to Settings > BlackBerry ID.

3) Application Permissions

Apps. We all love them, and we’re really excited about the wealth of apps available for BlackBerry 10! But we also value our privacy. Enter the concept of “Application Permissions”.

Application Permissions let you see, control, and customize what each application can access in a simple and intuitive way. Suppose you’ve downloaded a great new mapping app, and it asks for access to your Location. Of course you’re going to allow it – you’re expecting it and it makes sense.

Now suppose you download a simple game and it asks for your Location. Unless you know why, you might choose to deny access or uninstall it. Application Permissions allow you to manage and protect your privacy.

vWhile apps request the permissions they need when you install and run them, you can also modify the permissions later on by navigating to Settings > Security and Privacy > Application Permissions.

4) BlackBerry Protect

BlackBerry Protect is one of the most popular BlackBerry apps of all time, and for good reason. When the device is on, it can help you remotely locate your BlackBerry smartphone, set a password, and even wipe it from anywhere with an Internet connection. We’ve integrated BlackBerry Protect into every BlackBerry 10 smartphone, so you don’t even need to download the app anymore. Simply go to Settings > BlackBerry Protect to set it up.

But what if someone steals your BlackBerry and tries to disable BlackBerry Protect? Well in order to disable it, you need to enter your BlackBerry ID password. To quote my favorite YouTube show: “That’s smart!”

5) BlackBerry Balance

If you’re like most people, you use your smartphone for both work and play. You want to keep your work life separate from your personal life but still access all of your favorite personal apps and features, as well as your work connectivity, email, and corporate apps. But you just can’t do that on a single phone. Until now.

When your BlackBerry 10 smartphone is managed and secured by BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, BlackBerry Balance divides the data into two spaces: Personal and Work. Personal apps (e.g. games) access personal data and connect directly to the Internet. Work apps (e.g. expense reporting) access work data and connect through the corporate network behind your organization’s firewall.

On BlackBerry 10, you’ll be able to install apps, use social networks, manage photos, create videos, and take advantage of all that the smartphone has to offer. Your IT department will be able to manage the Work space and secure their corporate data.

Best of all, BlackBerry Balance starts up by default when you connect your BlackBerry 10 smartphone to the BlackBerry Device Service in BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. Simply create a Work password and start using BlackBerry Balance.

These are just a few of the great security features in BlackBerry 10, especially if you’re connected on BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. Which ones are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Screen sharing over BBM is a fantastic way to speed up your workflow by allowing collaboration while you’re mobile. Combined with the cloud storage integration and the fantastic functionality of the redesigned Documents To Go application suite, BlackBerry 10 is designed to keep you and your business moving. And while you’re traveling for work or pleasure, what better way to stay connected with friends and family than through BBM Video?

Pro-tip: Hook up a micro HDMI cable to your BlackBerry 10 device for a big-screen collaboration or video chatting experience.

How will you use BBM video chat and screen sharing for work? Share in the comments below.

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

In the early days, smartphones were for work, and were often provided by businesses to their key employees who needed to be connected to corporate information at all times. As the industry evolved, these devices came to be media powerhouses, full of rich applications and a wide potential of use cases. Your smartphone is now your music player, your digital camera, and your hub of communication with friends and family. A challenge arose in businesses worldwide – work data needed to be kept safe and secure, but no one enjoys a locked-down experience. Many employees started to bring their own personal phone from home, but had to continue using their work-issued device, and ended up using each for separate purposes. But where’s the fun in carrying two phones? Some businesses then saw an opportunity to cut costs by allowing employees to connect personal devices to their corporate infrastructure. Thus, the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend was born.

The Bring Your Own Device trend emerges

But with BYOD, a new, evolved challenge emerged for IT departments – the security of work data mixed with personal use can create a multitude of problems for both employees and businesses. Corporate data can be easily compromised due to malware attacks, permissions granted to apps, and the like. On the other side, when an organization performs a remote security wipe, employees can be left without music, personal photos, personal email accounts, and more.

“BlackBerry Balance is our cutting edge solution to the problems
that arise from the BYOD trend; challenges which have developed
over years of smartphone industry growth.”

BlackBerry Balance is our cutting edge solution to the problems that arise from the BYOD trend; challenges which have developed over years of smartphone industry growth. With BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry Balance technology, Work and Personal perimeters are created on the smartphone to separate and secure the corresponding apps, connections, and data. The benefits of such technology are significant and relevant.

Security for Administrators, Freedom for Employees

Businesses are now enabled in their mobile strategies; they can connect employees to their infrastructure and promote the use of business applications and behind-the-firewall connectivity. Employees can be more productive, devices can be ultra-functional, and organizations can truly move their work mobile. The work perimeter can be controlled and managed at a granular level with all of the robust functionality that the BlackBerry enterprise mobility management solution provides. The data in each perimeter is protected. It reduces risk significantly, and creates a situation where BYOD can be embraced for all of its benefits.

Employees can be free from work-related restrictions on their mobile devices. Download apps, use the camera, message friends and family, and browse wherever you please. What you do on the personal perimeter of the smartphone is up to you, and your work doesn’t need to control, restrict, or manage this side of the device. It can be truly yours to own, use, and customize. When your organization manages or in the event they need to wipe the corporate perimeter, your information is left intact just as it was before.

How is BlackBerry Balance Enabled?

The recently launched BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 allows IT administrators to configure BlackBerry Balance settings on employees’ BlackBerry 10 smartphones. As an end user, you’ll have the opportunity to set up your work email account, and in the process set up the work perimeter, which is locked by a BlackBerry Balance password that you create.

Toggling between Work and Personal is as simple as swiping down anywhere on the application screen. In the Work perimeter a behind-the-firewall connection is created, allowing you to access work apps through BlackBerry World for Work, an app store created by your administrator, as well as work versions of many applications. If you’re currently running a few apps when you switch perimeters, they’ll remain as Active Frames, allowing for rapid multitasking between work and personal apps.

BlackBerry Hub and the Calendar app are two examples of apps that straddle this barrier between Work and Personal perimeters. Both personal and work email can appear in the Hub. The same applies to the calendar. If BlackBerry Balance is locked, only personal items will appear, alongside work items, which are listed as “locked item”. A simple tap on any locked item will prompt you to enter your password.

The BlackBerry Balance Experience on BlackBerry 10 smartphones

Check out a quick video demonstration of how you can interact with BlackBerry Balance functionality on your BlackBerry Z10 smartphone:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Summing Up…

BlackBerry Balance provides a better experience for end users, and helps to mitigate risk and provide a higher return on investment for businesses. We’ve designed the tools required to tackle current trends in workplace mobility, and are constantly working on helping you tackle future trends that are just around the corner.

Are you an administrator or an end user? How will BlackBerry Balance help you have a better experience?

The big day has arrived – we’re here in New York City and elsewhere around the world to officially launch BlackBerry 10! You’ve had sneak peeks, glimpses into the functionality, and preview demonstrations, but today we launch the full package. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the first two BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry Q10.

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

The BlackBerry 10 platform is designed to enable you to be successful in your work. The barriers between applications that slow you down have been removed, allowing you to flow through your apps, information, and communication with speed. And while you’re at it, the platform learns how you work to intelligently filter, prioritize, organize, and predict what you need. Communicate your ideas and experiences rapidly, and rest easy with the peace of mind that BlackBerry security gives you.

The new BlackBerry 10 smartphones have been designed to connect you to those around you and to allow you to truly take your work and personal life mobile. We’re very excited to unveil what we’ve been working on and to provide all of the details from our launch events around the world.

Check out the videos below to learn more about the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 smartphones:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

We’ve got a lot more to say about BlackBerry 10 and the features, apps, and value that it adds to your business. Stay tuned to the Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog for details on top business apps, accessories for life on the move, the re-designed Documents To Go, exciting new features of BlackBerry Messenger, and more.

Can’t wait to get your hands on a BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10 smartphone? Tell us why in the comments!