BlackBerry's new app for Android keeps bystanders from stealing information from your screen

by Alan Friedman / Mar 10, 2017, 11:12 PM

BlackBerry's Privacy Shade saves your screen from prying eyes

Don't you hate it when you're looking at your phone and some stranger (or even a nosy family member) looks over your shoulder at the screen, trying to steal some information? Well, BlackBerry isn't turning a deaf ear to your problem. The company has come up with an app called Privacy Shade that is made for Android handsets. The app allows you to decide which parts of the display you will have covered so that no one can look at your screen and discover information you want to be private.

The Privacy Shade will work with the Quick Settings feature on Android Nougat. Or, you can assign the Privacy Shade to the Convenience Key on your BlackBerry phone. You can even adjust how dark the shade gets depending on your environment. You'll be keeping your sensitive emails top secret. BlackBerry is known for its security, and this is another example of how it is making Android more secure.

You can pick up the BlackBerry Privacy Shade right now from the Google Play Store. You need to install it on a BlackBerry device running on Android, which means it will work on models like the BlackBerry Priv, BlackBerry DTEK50, BlackBerry DTEK60 and the BlackBerry KEYone once it is launched.

Download BlackBerry Privacy Shade by clicking on this link.

source: Crackberry

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57 Comments

1. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

It will work on the BlackBerry Aurora as well. Downloaded it to my BlackBerry PRIV earlier today. Great app. BlackBerry makes some pretty good Android apps.

posted on Mar 10, 2017, 11:18 PM 6

11. KingSam

Posts: 1338; Member since: Mar 13, 2016

Imagine this on AMOLED. The difference being the screen actually goes black and a small area being activated by a touch and hold/drag.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 8:54 AM 0

15. Mxyzptlk unregistered

That's actually a good idea. Would work perfectly on my Nexus 6P.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:21 PM 0

18. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

I have it on my PRIV. It has an AMOLED display. Looks awesome!

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:58 PM 2

25. Mxyzptlk unregistered

My Nexus 6P has an AMOLED screen and ffs, something the other one lacks. And it's universally unlocked for any carrier.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 3:15 PM 0

28. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

Just like the PRIV has a full physical keyboard and better security. Something your imaginary Nexus 6P lacks. And the PRIV doesn't lack an AMOLED screen, it has one. Another thing the PRIV has that the Nexus 6P doesn't have, is access to this app.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 3:24 PM 2

34. Mxyzptlk unregistered

I said the Priv doesn't have ffs like the Nexus 6P does. Don't be stupid because you know what I meant. You're just bumburned because I proved that I have a 6p that you don't want to admit is true.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 7:59 PM 0

35. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

You said, and I quote: "My Nexus 6P has an AMOLED screen and ffs, something the other one lacks." That's a direct quote from you. Anyone with eyes can see that you said the PRIV doesn't have an AMOLED screen, so stop thinking that everyone is a stupid as you. You continually post stuff that you later say "you know what I meant" about, further proving that you're either an idiot that can't convey his thoughts properly on "digital paper", or it's what I said prior. And all you proved is that you know how to post photoshopped images, and you're extremely salty about the fact that I called you out on that.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 10:24 PM 1

37. Mxyzptlk unregistered

First of all you dolt, I mentioned AMOLED before I said FFS. I thought you would have SOME sense to know the 6P has ffs, dual ffs, and the Priv doesn't. You've read my comments enough to know how much I emphasize the importance of ffs, so spare me the bs story about not conveying my thoughts correctly. You're either doing it on purpose just to fuel an argument or you legitimately are stupid. Second of all, you're the only one who has trouble believing that I have a Nexus 6p. Several users whom I've had arguments with in the past who I no longer argue with have no trouble believing my word. I don't care about your little fanclub/jockeys like BobbyDigitalJedi_X2. They don't apply. You're just afraid to see that the so called Apple worshipper is no longer rocking an Apple device as my personal phone. Yes, I criticize and dump on Android from time to time, but so do Android fans on Apple. Unlike you, I'm qualified to comment on devices considering I've used many. So keep your bs coming because I am just going to dismiss it and put you back in your place as usual. Checkmate.

posted on Mar 12, 2017, 11:41 AM 0

42. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

Lmao! Nerve touched, deep in your gut because I pointed out the fact that you're an idiot. You're seething with anger right now about it. Stop being so salty because you can't convey your own thoughts properly, and learn how to actually to do so. That way you'll look like less of an idiot than you normally do. You don't own a Nexus 6P. You own a photoshopped image of a Nexus 6P, yes, but not an actual one. NO ONE believes that you own a Nexus 6P, and they stopped arguing with you because they realize what I already know: That you're a hopelessly lost cause. I just like putting ignorant, hopelessly lost causes like you in your place. If you actually did own one, why would I be afraid of that? It still wouldn't change the fact that you're an inbred trolling Apple shill that trolls Android, Samsung, BlackBerry, Motorola and LG constantly, and you do it for the immature reason of "monkey see, monkey do". You're not qualified to comment on devices that you've never ever used before. When you do so, you're commenting out of ignorance, but ignorance is definitely your thing. I only comment on devices that I've used extensively, and that included Apple devices. That's called making an "informed comment", something that you know absolutely nothing about. I don't give two rats scrawny bums what you dismiss, it still doesn't make what I'm saying any less true, but it certainly shows how ignorant you really are. I just stomped a mud hole in your "checkmate" and walked it dry.

posted on Mar 12, 2017, 12:01 PM 1

48. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Aka, Mxy is right. Again, for the umpteenth time. You're fuming because I own a device that's better than the Priv. You're fuming because my device is still relevant while the Priv is barely just a footnote now. Get over it and stop being so dramatic. You are the one who can't comprehend a thing I say, yet other users have no trouble. Just look at Subie for proof. And you clearly are in denial of me owning a Nexus 6P. Just get over it and cry me a river of tears. I don't have to prove a thing to you. At all. You're seething in anger at the truth.

posted on Mar 14, 2017, 7:53 AM 0

53. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

Bwahahahahahahahaha!! You're seething with anger over the anal pain that my comment has caused you. You're extremely rattled that the PRIV, a two year old device, is still relevant today. My comment has you totally unhinged. Instead of ranting like a lunatic over the fact that you're an immature idiot that posts willfully ignorant comments and can't convey your own thoughts properly, go and do some research before commenting and seek a proper education. Even Subie has proven that you're ignorant when it comes to making comments about BlackBerry. And we both know that you don't own a Nexus 6P. Everyone knows this. That's why you refuse to keep posting that photoshopped picture of yours as proof, because you don't want me to keep embarrassing you over it. Only lying trolls that have no real evidence to back up their obvious BS resort to the answer "I don't have to prove anything to you." You're an obvious fake and a fraud, so go cry yourself your own river of salty tears and man up so you can own up to your own lying BS.

posted on Mar 14, 2017, 8:11 AM 0

47. Cat97

Posts: 1709; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

Well, you would want to actually see dimly the parts of the screen that you are about to activate, so using an AMOLED would not provide any benefit, making the private part of the screen completely black would make you blindly search for the information you want to activate.

posted on Mar 12, 2017, 4:07 PM 0

2. asiansatan

Posts: 59; Member since: Sep 18, 2014

And the best use the app will be put to is ... watching porn in the office!

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:04 AM 2

3. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

Bwahahahahaha!!

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:57 AM 1

4. FlySheikh

Posts: 443; Member since: Oct 02, 2015

Lol.. IKR

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 1:37 AM 1

38. Mxyzptlk unregistered

That's what the bathroom is for. Not saying that I do it.

posted on Mar 12, 2017, 11:42 AM 0

5. GreenMan

Posts: 2692; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

And yet people blame Samsung for inventing gimmicks... Sad! Anyhow, this 'technology' is as useful as Samsung's now abandoned 'air gestures', in all honesty... Anyhow, it seems like someone at RIM is a real big fan of "Silent Hill" Series... Or perhaps Lucas Arts' (Now Lucas Films) cult classic "Maniac Mansion"...? Or perhaps... WHERE'S WALDO...? Know as Where's Wally outside The U.S... A series of children books where kids try to find a hidden character in a scenery with a magnifying glass...! Anyhow, it 'might' be useful for some, specially for Fan Boys who find everything from Berry nothing but a God send but... I honestly don't really see a good use of it... There're some forked version of Android (like Oppo's Color OS) which let you shrink the screen size to 1/3rd for easy one hand usage... To me, a shrinked screen makes much MUCH better sense as it's fairly easy to hide a smaller screen from prying eyes and secondly, you can operate your phone normally... No need to play 'Hide and Seek' with your Emails...! Just an opinion, though... Not criticism... Oh well, G'Day!

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 1:42 AM 2

7. jplightning

Posts: 312; Member since: Nov 04, 2016

Seriously gramps, what ya find ta be a gimmick, others will find useful. I happen ta think it's a chill app and it has its uses. Ain't no need for ya ta insult BlackBerry users by callin' 'em fanboys and trollin' damn near every BlackBerry article on tap. Like seriously, all I got from ya comment is "I'm a lonely old man that trolls BlackBerry and it's users to get my last remaining thrills out of waning, dull life." Ya dig?

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 2:13 AM 6

14. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

#SickBurn! Totally agree with you, JP. Couldn't have said it better myself.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 11:40 AM 2

16. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Switching accounts again?

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:21 PM 0

17. jplightning

Posts: 312; Member since: Nov 04, 2016

Son, ya on the eggplant hard! I can't make one comment without ya jockin' me wherever I go. Like, get ya life cornball, and lay off the stalker juice. A dude should never be on another dude as hard as ya on me. Fr fr.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 12:46 PM 2

19. meanestgenius

Posts: 21323; Member since: May 28, 2014

Lmao! You got "batmite" good with that one! He seriously has nothing of worth to add to the comments section. Always picks a fight, and always gets his head handed to him for it.

posted on Mar 11, 2017, 1:00 PM 1

22. MDCHO

Posts: 769; Member since: Jul 28, 2016

Correct, Meanestgenius. He serve no purpose other than to start fight in the comments section. Then he cry and play victim when you call him out for it. He need attention so bad, so he start fights in comments section.