Although RIM is placing all their bets on the new BlackBerry 10 devices once they hit the mobile space, there is still of course other BlackBerry devices that have been waiting to be updated with BlackBerry OS 7.1, and now the word is that Research In Motion has finally got round to announcing the availability of BlackBerry OS 7.1 for those BlackBerry faithful here in the United Kingdom.

According to the guys over at N4bb, for those in the UK, the BlackBerry OS 7.1 update is available right now for the BlackBerry Torch 9810, BlackBerry Torch 9860, BlackBerry Curve 9380, BlackBerry Curve 9360, BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the Porsche Design P’9981.

The BlackBerry faithful with the above devices can update their handset either over the air or by way of the BlackBerry Desktop software, although the update is subject to carrier certification, so you will need to check with your service provider first, and BlackBerry OS 7.1 incorporated BlackBerry Tag, which is a new way of sharing content with other BlackBerry user by NFC.

BlackBerry OS 7.1 also turns the handset into a mobile hotspot that can be shared with up to five WiFi enabled devices including tablets and laptops, and features a new battery saving mode that extends the battery life of their smartphone and delivers the option to have their settings automatically adjusted once the power level reaches a user pre-defined level.

Apparently the BlackBerry OS 7.1 update for BlackBerry devices also delivers an FM radio, adding an new application that enables the user to tune into their favourite radio station.

So there you have it, if you are in the UK and own one of the aforementioned BlackBerry smartphones, have you updated to BlackBerry OS 7.1 yet, if so how did it go?