BBM for iOS update brings BBM Video Beta to users in Canada and U.S.

Rapid John·
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Last week, BlackBerry released an update to BBM for Android, which brought BBM Video Beta to users in Canada and the United States. The company have now released the equivalent upgrade for iOS users.

BlackBerry are releasing video chat between Android and iOS users with initial limited availability in order to test the video chat feature before they roll it out globally in July.

It should be noted that Android and iOS users will be able to video chat cross platform to each other but not to BlackBerry 10 users. Similarly, BlackBerry 10 users will be unable to video chat to Android or iOS users.

There is no beta for users to sign up to use the video chat. The word beta is being used by BlackBerry between now and July while they “test” the feature.

Matthew Talbot, Senior Vice President – Emerging Solutions at BlackBerry states,

“We’re thrilled to announce that video is almost ready for primetime; today we’ve launched it as a beta feature for Android, as part of the latest version of BBM. Update your BBM today to get it. Video calling for iPhone and iPad users is also coming soon.”

The rest of the word will not see the BBM Video feature until July, according to Talbot,

“The beta video feature will only be available in U.S. and Canada, coming first to Android users, followed closely by iOS. At that time, U.S. and Canadian BBM users will be able to enjoy cross-platform video calling with each other. We plan to launch the feature globally in our July release.”

BBM Video Chat System Requirements and Functionality

BlackBerry 10

  • BlackBerry 10 OS required
  • BlackBerry 10 smartphones are able to start BBM Video Chats to other BlackBerry 10 smartphones
  • BBM Video Chat between BlackBerry 10 and Android or iOS devices is not supported and will provide the option for BBM Voice Chat

iOS

  • iOS version 8 and later required
  • iOS devices are able start BBM Video Chats between other iOS and Android OS devices
  • When a BBM Video Chat is started on an iOS device to BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the call will change to a BBM Voice Chat

Android

  • Android OS 4.4 (KitKat) and later required
  • Android OS devices are able to start BBM Video Chats between other Android OS and iOS devices
  • When a BBM Video Chat is started on an Android device to BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the call will change to a BBM Voice Chat
The following is also noted by BlackBerry
  • Asus phones (and any mobile device using an Intel chipset) are currently not supported and will establish a BBM Voice Call
  • Motorola Moto X (XT1092, XT1095, XT1096) and Lenovo Vibe X (S960) may see one way video, or poor video during a BBM Video Chat

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