A new version of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) will be available later today for Android, iPhone and BlackBerry customers, allowing Android and iPhone customers to make free voice calls to BBM contacts over a WiFi or data connection with BBM Voice, as well as access BBM Channels.
In addition, BBM customers on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones will be able to share photos, documents and voice notes with just one click, says the device maker in a statement. BBM customers will also be able to share their live location for a specified amount of time with other BBM contacts by using location sharing, powered by Glympse, and will have 100 new emoticons available.
"Today's announcement gives Android and iPhone customers the rich experience of BBM Voice and BBM Channels - two great ways to connect with friends, family and colleagues, to build out communities around shared interests, and to follow your favorite people and brands," says John Sims, president of Global Enterprise Solutions at BlackBerry.
BBM Channels lets customers chat with other BBM users about topics that interest them. Users can join channels about a range of topics from products, hobbies and sports to entertainment, fashion, cars and more. Channels can be created by brands, businesses and BBM customers alike.
"Scheduled chat hours" allow BBM subscribers to have live chats with the channel owner - a great way to engage directly with their favourite channels one-on-one. As BBM Channels live right inside BBM, BBM customers get notified the moment one of the channels they follow has a new post, or when someone responds to their comments."
Users have the discretion to opt in only to channel brands that are relevant to them and have control over the channels they subscribe to, while channel owners have control over how subscribers interact with their channel. BlackBerry says thousands of brands are already using BBM Channels to engage with their customers.
BBM customers and their contacts will need to have BBM Voice, a data plan and WiFi coverage to make calls to each other. Data charges may apply.
The new version of BBM on BlackBerry (BBM v.10.3) will be available on BlackBerry 10. BlackBerry OS5 and above will also be updated but will not include location sharing or Dropbox integration.
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