BlackBerry

BBM for iOS update brings Phone Registration, BBM Video and more

Rapid John·
BlackBerry
···2 min read
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BlackBerry have released an update to BBM for iOS, which finally brings phone registration, as well as bringing BBM Video officially out of beta.

Finally, BBM for iOS adds a whole new way for iOS and Android users to create a BBM account – with their mobile number.

According to BlackBerry, this has been a top-requested feature for a while, as it speeds up the process for signing up, resetting forgotten passwords, and finding friends to chat with.

BBM now comes with a new Discover screen. For those interested in sticker packs, this is the place to find them and will become the place to learn about more content, subscriptions, and other services.

What’s New:

  • Free Video calls! BBM users on iOS 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)
  • Retract expanded to stickers, files, and more
  • Mute notifications for 1:1 and group chats
  • Hide message preview in notifications
  • Share photos from the photos app directly to BBM
  • Sign up using your phone number
  • New Discover Screen – From the new Discover screen, you can get stickers and subscriptions. New features and content are always being added
  • BBM for iOS will now work correctly on the latest betas (Developer and Public) of iOS 10.

The BBM Video feature has now officially moved beyond beta to the 1.0 release. This was the number-one requested feature for a long time.

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.

BBM Video Chat System Requirements and Functionality

BlackBerry 10

  • BlackBerry 10 OS required
  • BlackBerry 10 smartphones are able to start BM 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