BBM for Android receives update to kill emoticons bug and more

BlackBerry has a very valuable asset that CEO John Chen is beginning to grow and monetize. And that would be BBM. As we've pointed out, Facebook's $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp has put a clear valuation on messaging apps. With the latter valued at $42 for each of its 450 million subscribers, it gives investors, executives and analysts an idea how much other messaging apps might be worth.

Last week, we told you that BlackBerry is running paid BlackBerry Channel discussion groups on a beta version of BBM. Chen had said weeks ago that this is how he planned on monetizing BBM and now it is coming to fruition. Obviously, this guy says what he means and means what he says.

An update to BBM for Android is now awaiting you in the Google Play Store and includes a fix to allow users to share emoticons in status updates. You will also notice a quicker response time when opening BBM chat and group screen. The update also repairs a bug that creates a problem when a URL is received in group chat. And after installing the update, you should notice improvements to your battery life while making a BBM Voice Call.

BBM for iOS and BBM for Android users are also eagerly awaiting the BBM Video feature that was promised to be coming to the app sometime before the end of this year.

source: BBMforAndroid via BerryReview