If you like to message a lot from your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry device, you may want to check out the new 2.0 version of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), just released by BlackBerry. New to version 2.0 are free voice calls, BBM Channels, Dropbox integration, location sharing with Glympse, and 100 new emoticons. The update brings the iOS and Android versions up to par with the classic BlackBerry version.
With Glympse integration, you can now share your real-time location with one or more BBM contacts for a specified amount of time, such as when you’re running late or out with friends, and want others to know where you are. When the timer runs out, your location becomes private again.
BBM’s new built-in Dropbox support allows you to send large files like presentations and videos from your personal cloud directly to a BBM contact. On the receiving end, you can save the file directly to your smartphone or add it to your Dropbox account.
BBM Channels are themed forums where you can chat with other BBM users about topics that interest you, such as specific products, cars, sports, hobbies, TV shows, or fashions. BlackBerry sees a potentially lucrative income stream here, since channels can be created by companies and organizations, as well as individual users. Like classic chat groups and online forums, BBM Channels have administrators who can moderate and set scheduled chat hours. But unlike with email or Facebook for example, BBM aims to let users interact with companies without having to give up personal contact information. When someone posts to a channel you follow or responds to a comment you made, BBM will notify you in the app itself.
BlackBerry has put together a short promo video for the new BBM features here:
