It was on Monday that the RIM the manufacturers of the smartphone revealed the news at CES 2012. BlackBerry 7.1 permitted their users to convert their BlackBerry phones into Wi-Fi hotspots and utilize the functions of near-field communication (NFC).

Mike Lazaridis Co-Chief of RIM stated that the variety of software updates that were declared that day were created on the power of the BlackBerry 7 so that it could increase the user's mobile experience thereby ensuing a more comfortable and easy life where regulating one's daily chores to conducting significant meetings could be done simply.

As per RIM, the BlackBerry 7.1 update permits users to convert their BlackBerry smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot that can even be shared to up to 5 gadgets that were Wi-Fi enabled, and this could comprise of devices like laptops as well as tablets.

Other competitors have tried some functionalities akin to this earlier with Android when it had its "Froyo" 2.2 launched in 2010May. Apple introduced this function in their iOS 4.3 in March last year while Microsoft put it in their Windows Phone in the Mango 7.5 update that was released in 2011 September.

Similar to other interfaces, operators would be allowed to select whether or not to permit this tethering functionality. Many operators may not like to do so as this would imply that they would have to provide an extra SIM card for the use in tablets. Still others who offer it would probably charge additionally for services rendered.

BlackBerry 7.1 is also compatible with Wi-Fi calling (UMA/GAN), but even here it will be the operator who would take the decision regarding enabling the functionality. This is a technology that would help people to make calls without the utilization of air time minutes that one had to pay for.