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BlackBerry Messenger for iOS was today updated to version 2.0, adding a number of features to the app that have long been a part of the native BBM function on BlackBerry's own line of phones.
Version 2 of BBM for iOS now supports direct voice calling between BBM users over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Channels, another feature new to the update, allow users to communicate in a group setting focused on a specific topic.
BBM Channels lets users chat with other BBM users about topics that interest them. Customers 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 users alike and are a great way to communicate directly and immediately with people who share common interests in the broader BBM community. By posting to their channel, channel owners immediately reach their subscribers with a message that can spark discussions.
One-click sharing has been added to the app, making it easier for BBM users to share content like photos and voice messages. The app has gained support for Glympse, which allows users to share locations, and Dropbox support for file sharing is also available.
Finally, the app's emoticon repository has been expanded and users now have access to 100 additional emoticons.
BlackBerry Messenger, which was previously restricted to BlackBerry devices, made its way to iOS and Android back in October of 2013 after several delays. BBM offers basic text chats, group chats, voice messaging, image sharing, and with today’s update, voice calls and channels.
BBM can be downloaded from the App Store for Free. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
I guess that's why the DoD in the US just bought 80,000 BB phones. What folks in this thread forget, BBM is more secure then any other messaging service.
Nope.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/23/5338012/pentagon-absolutely-no-new-orders-for-blackberry-dod (http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/23/5338012/pentagon-absolutely-no-new-orders-for-blackberry-dod)
I hope I did, but sorry I don't. Actually it's even worse than SMS. Aside from having read receipt and send voice/pictures, what can you get more of it? Blue ballons, right?
Well, there's the advantage of being able to receive and send from multiple devices including a desktop computer (running one of the more recent versions of OS X). Not something that most messaging services provide and something that at least some if not more people can and do find quite useful.iMessage is the weakest messaging services of all. People use it just because its integration into Apple devices and a bit more convenient.
But like you said, it's very frustrating to manage which devices receive which messages. Especially if you manage an Apple ID with multiple person/devices, it becomes very buggy and messages appear where you don't want it to.
BBM is simple, secure, and ubiquitous than ever now it's on iOS and Android. I wouldn't consider buying a Blackberry handset, but BBM service is just awesome. Also there are more casual alternatives like Whatsapp, Line, etc. But in the end, they're all offer waay more than iMessage.
iMessage is not only an SMS with blue balloons... i hope you were joking.
I hope I did, but sorry I don't. Actually it's even worse than SMS. Aside from having read receipt and send voice/pictures, what can you get more of it? Blue ballons, right?i personally actually prefer SMS, because it's more secure. you know if you send a message, it wouldn't show up on an iPad the recipient's wife might be using, or another iPad the recipient's kid is playing. You don't have to worry about security, privacy, and self-incriminating acts. you also don't have to worry about the lack of cellular data connections with SMS. in that regards it's way more reliable. i would 100% use SMS w/ my friends, if they don't always complain about their stingy text plan. seriously i don't get why don't all people have unlimited text plan now days....but i know my opinion is probably of minority as most people prefer the convenience of iMessage over privacy/security/control.
iMessage is the weakest messaging services of all. People use it just because its integration into Apple devices and a bit more convenient.
But like you said, it's very frustrating to manage which devices receive which messages. Especially if you manage an Apple ID with multiple person/devices, it becomes very buggy and messages appear where you don't want it to.
BBM is simple, secure, and ubiquitous than ever now it's on iOS and Android. I wouldn't consider buying a Blackberry handset, but BBM service is just awesome. Also there are more casual alternatives like Whatsapp, Line, etc. But in the end, they're all offer waay more than iMessage.
iMessage is incredibly stable for the most part in the past year compared to BlackBerry's BBM I can vouch for this personally as I go back and forth between iOS and BB10 often but at full stints at a time. But I'd like to see iMessage expanded ... maybe even unified between FaceTime and also with document sharing in a more seamless way.
I agree. Apple already has the features they need, albeit as different applications and they also have something BBM doesn't and that's an extension to desktops. iMessage for OS X is a complete joke and is half-assed. It's fine if you just want to send/read messages but it could be so much better...a lot better.