BBM Version 2.0 Arrives With Voice Calling, Channels And Location Sharing
by Brent Dirks
February 13, 2014
First announced late last year, BBM has just made the jump to version 2.0 with the addition of a number new features and improvements.
Here’s a short video about the update. Click here if you can’t see it.
With the update, users can now take advantage of BBM Voice. Much like FaceTime audio, it allows for free calls to other BBM contacts using either a Wi-Fi or data connection. To call a contact, simply touch the green icon for a call to be connected.
In a blog post, BlackBerry explains how the new Channels feature works:
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.Glympse is powering the app’s new location sharing feature. With it, users can share their live location for a specific amount of time. Users can now also quickly share a picture, voice note, or file with contacts. Dropbox integration also allows message fanatics to share files directly from their cloud storage account. Finally, the update also brings some new emoticons and larger BBM groups. Designed for the iPhone/iPod touch, BBM can be downloaded now in the App Store for free. The update isn’t live yet, but should be appearing in the store momentarily.
