BBM updates v1.0.2 with bug fixes and with new filtering and sorting features

News by:  Aditiya Thawardas 14th November 2013

BBM received an update to version 1.0.2. With the new version comes a few requested features, along with bug fixes. Contact Categories are now supported, which allow you to create categories in your contacts list in order to help organize your friends. Also, list sorting and filtering is possible. The entire change log includes:

• BBM Contact Categories allows you to create categories in your contact lists to help you organize your BBM contacts

• List sorting and filtering in BBM Groups provide new options to organize lists shared within BBM Groups

• Invite BBM contacts to BBM Groups by Email makes it easier to add friends to a BBM Group. If you don’t know their PIN, invite them by Email.

• “Tell your friends’ feature helps you connect with friends on BBM using the sharing tools BBM has created at www.BBM.com/share

• Share Your PIN feature helps you quickly share your BBM PIN and PIN barcode to your social networks like Facebook and Twitter

• Addresses an issue where some users were experiencing higher battery use

• Other bug fixes and performance improvements

Download: Mirror1

news source: talkandroid.com

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Rumor: BlackBerry 10.2.1 could feature Google Play Store

News by:  Herrison Kaminsky 10th November 2013

After many Leaks about BBM, here comes the New leak about Black Berry, BlackBerry is currently working on the next version of their OS, 10.2.1, and i have some key information regarding the update which will perhaps make some BlackBerry users pretty happy.

A new Android Runtime is expected to be included in the next build of Blackberry 10, which will allow the Google Play Store to be available to BlackBerry users to download and install Android applications and other content to their devices.

This means no more side-loading, and would instantly make thousands of apps available for the platform, which has been the major shortcoming for BlackBerry.

As much as I hate to say it, this could actually be the beginnings of a BlackBerry comeback, it could make for a very nice option for those that enjoy the BlackBerry OS and hardware.

Although the pictures make this all pretty believable, but it’s still all just a rumor so don’t get too excited just yet.

news source: talkandroid.com

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BBM features(voice,video and channels) would be available soon

News by:  Robert Nazarian  28th October 2013

BBM for Android and iOS plans on enhancing it even more. EVP of BBM for BlackBerry, Andrew Bocking, made an appearance on CBC’s The Morning Edition and had some interesting things to say. He mentioned BBM Channels, which is a “social engagement platform within BBM.” Users will be able to connect with communities and businesses. It’s could be really great for artists and brands. It’s in Beta now, but no word on exactly when it will exit. Bocking also said they are committed to bringing BBM Voice and Video calling “in the near future.”

Now as the service continues to evolve, you might be fearing that it won’t remain free. The plan is for it to remain free, but BlackBerry would obviously like to generate revenue from the app. You know what that means. That’s right, Ads. You can expect to see Ads implemented soon as well.

news source: talkandroid.com

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BlackBerry delays BBM release for iOS and Android following leak

Smartphone maker BlackBerry has had to hold up the global roll out of its popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) instant chat software on the iOS 7 and Android operating systems after an unofficial version of the app was leaked online this weekend.

As the company geared up to make the app available for the first time on the other smartphone operating systems, an unauthorised version of the Android app was posted online and downloaded by curious Android users 1.1 million times in just 8 hours.

This leak caused the Canadian company a number of issues that it had to spend most of Saturday trying to resolve.

Due the leak, the rollout of the iOS 7 version of the software, which has so far only been released in New Zealand, has had to be paused.

An official statement on BlackBerry’s website reads, “Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app – is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.

“Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visitwww.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.”

The incident is the latest piece of bad news for the ailing smartphone maker.

On Friday the company, once a pioneer in the smart phone field, announced plans to cut 4,500 jobs, around 40 percent of its global workforce following poor financial performance.

In the same statement the company said it anticipated losses of around £621 million ($995 million) when it releases its second-quarter earnings report next week.

BlackBerry’s chief executive Thorsten Heins said on Friday, “We are implementing the difficult, but necessary operational changes announced today to address our position in a maturing and more competitive industry, and to drive the company toward profitability.“

”Going forward, we plan to refocus our offering on our end-to-end solution of hardware, software and services for enterprises and the productive, professional end user.“

The firm’s losses were mainly blamed on the poor sales of its latest Z10 model device.

In June Mr Heins announced that the company had shipped only 2.7 million Z10 units out of a total of 6.8 million since the phone’s unveiling in January. By contrast, Apple comfortable exceeded this figure with sales of its new iPhone models this weekend alone.

news source: independent.co.uk

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