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BlackBerry have released an update to BBM for Android, which finally brings the ability to sign up and use BBM via phone numbers.
In addition, users can now make free video calls with BBM users on iOS and Android directly from BBM.
What’s New:
- Free Video calls! BBM users on iOS and Android can now make video calls for free directly from BBM
- Upgraded group chat! Start a group chat with up to 250 contacts. Photos, lists, and calendar updates display in chat (calendar and lists only for groups of up to 50 contacts)
- Share longer videos
- Retract expanded to stickers, files, and more
- Set duration for muting notifications
- Sign up using your phone number
- New Discover Screen – From the new Discover screen, you can get stickers and subscriptions
It should be noted that Android and iOS users will be able to video chat cross platform to each other but not to any BlackBerry 10 users.
Similarly, BlackBerry 10 users will be unable to video chat to Android or iOS users.
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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