BBM for Android receives update with new features and bug fixes

posted by Alan F. / Oct 28, 2016, 3:03 AM

BBM for Android receives update with new features and bug fixes

There was once a period of time when some BlackBerry executives were trying to get the company to open up BBM to rival platforms like Android and iOS. At the time, the messaging app was available only to BlackBerry users. Those in favor of such a move were hoping that by opening up BBM to Android and iOS users, it would help BlackBerry monetize BBM.

Those who were against the proposal figured that the company couldn't afford losing handset sales to the competition. By opening up BBM to rival platforms, many BlackBerry executives figured that once BBM was no longer exclusive to BlackBerry handsets, the company would lose even more market share.

In October 2013, BBM for iOS and Android finally rolled out. Over the subsequent years, BlackBerry started added other features like voice calls and video calls. BBM Stickers became available from the new BBM Store, and discussion groups called Channels allowed corporations to promote their wares.

Today, BlackBerry pushed out an update to the Android version of BBM. With the update, BBM Feeds now share still photos, and video posts. Keep in mind though that only the owner of a BBM Channel can post a video to it. Other changes include one that destructs timed messages after 25 seconds by default. And on November 1st, BBM Game Center will be available to the 60 million active BlackBerry users in Indonesia.

The update to BBM for Android includes:

Share your photos with all your contacts via the new post to feeds option. It's selfie time!
BBM Channels now support video posts! - Read here to learn more about this feature
We've updated the default contact layout from grid to list view.
BBM Channels is now accessible through the discover menu.
Timed messages now default to 25-second expiry.
Make group chats easier to organize by including a chat name for multi-person chats.
The barcode scanner is now more prominently displayed in the menu.
New BBM Game Center in Discover menu (Indonesia)
BBM Pulsa/PLN in Discover menu (Indonesia)
BBM Voucher in Discover menu (Indonesia)
Airtime Nigeria in Discover menu (Nigeria)
Bug Fixes

To take advantage of the changes, make sure that you update BBM for Android as soon as possible. The app is free from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Install BBM on your mobile device (iOS|Android)

source: BBM via Crackberry

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4 Comments

1. meanestgenius

Posts: 22497; Member since: May 28, 2014

Always nice to see BlackBerry apps like BBM being updated to add new features to its already feature-rich arsenal.

posted on Oct 28, 2016, 3:22 AM 3

2. emmawilliam834

Posts: 241; Member since: Feb 09, 2016

new stickers are not available for BB10 anymore.

posted on Oct 28, 2016, 4:56 AM 0

3. meanestgenius

BlackBerry is taking the BB10 side of BBM and building it out straight for enterprise going forward, so we'll see fewer "average consumer" features for BB10's BBM. Emtek, the Indonesian company that has a licensing deal with BlackBerry that gives them control of BBM on for Android and iOS will be further building it out for average consumers, so things like new stickers and such will be focused primarily for the Android/iOS side of BBM. https://blog.bbm.com/2016/10/25/emtek-and-bbm-making-sense-of-our-long-term-partnership-with-blackberry/

posted on Oct 28, 2016, 9:28 AM 0

4. Obádárà

Posts: 218; Member since: Nov 02, 2015

... BLACKBERRY PHONES USED TO BE THE CRAZE OF THE MOMENT FOR PEOPLE IN NIGERIA THEN UNTIL CHINESE OEMs BROUGHT IN THEIR ANDROID RIP OFFS AMD TODAY, BBM- THOUGH, STILL POPULAR HASN'T HELPED THEIR PHONE SALES HERE.