While BBM has made a number of strides lately in its attempts to become one of the top dogs of the vast social world, the app still lacked a number of features that would really seal the deal for users.
This week, BlackBerry released some new features that are sure to help its cause, including custom BBM PINS, Android Wear support, and the ability to share photos in group chats.
The latest update for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry 10 include:
- Custom BBM PINs: One of the most requested BBM features has been the ability to create a customized BBM PIN that’s unique and easy to share. Starting today, BBM users who upgrade to the latest version will be able to create a 6-8 digits alphanumeric Custom PIN of their choice.** Custom PINs can be purchased in the BBM Shop for $1.99 USD per month. In addition to Custom PINs, BBM users can also purchase a no-ad subscription that will remove advertisements from the BBM Feed for $0.99 USD per month.
- Android Wear Support Now Available: Android users will be excited to hear that BBM now supports a wide range of Android Wear™ smartwatches to enable BBM users to communicate faster and more discreetly on-the-go. With the latest update, BBM for Android Wear will enable BBM users to seamlessly:
- Receive alerts on the watch when new BBM messages come in, see the sender and discreetly preview messages.
- Read BBM messages in their entirety, navigate among messages and dismiss notifications with a simple swipe.
- Respond to messages hands-free with Google Now™ or choose from pre-defined messages to quickly send a response.
- Accept BBM invites from the watch without the need to access their smartphone
- Password Protection for iOS users: By taking advantage of iOS specific features, BBM now enables users to add additional privacy with the option to password protect their BBM conversations using either a 4 digit passcode or Touch ID. Users can customize how long they would like BBM to remain unlocked before a password is requested.
- Landscape Mode for iOS users: iOS users can also take advantage of landscape mode support in their BBM chats and can now swipe to delete a chat from the chat list and use “edit” mode in chats for quick chat deletion.
- Multiple BBM Channel Contributors: BBM Channels now supports multiple channel contributors through the web client; making it easier for the over 1 million BBM Channel owners to manage and post new content.
- Share Photos in Group Chats: With the latest update, users can also share photos directly in a group chat, enabling a seamless chat experience. Users will know immediately when a photo has been shared with the group and can view it without leaving the chat.
The new update can be downloaded (or in the case of iOS will soon be available) on BlackBerry World, Google Play and iTunes. You can download it using these QR codes. No word yet on when Windows Phone will get these updates.