What to Expect from BBM in 2014: New Features, New Friends and More

BlackBerry has announced that Voice, Channels, easier sharing, and new emoticons are coming to BBM for iPhone and Android.

We’ve been working on some new ways to make it faster and easier to share with your BBM contacts. Whether it’s talking with BBM Voice, connecting over a BBM Channel, sending a quick photo, or even sharing your location, there’s more to BBM than just chatting.

Here are the new features coming to the BBM app:

1. BBM Voice for iPhone and Android

Or as I like to say, free voice calls to any BBM contact anywhere in the world! Just another way that BBM helps to bring you together with people when you can’t be there in person – without having to pay long distance charges.

 

2. BBM Channels for iPhone and Android

BBM Channels are a great way to join conversations happening with the BBM community beyond your contact list. By creating your own channel you can start conversations sparked by your thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a BBM channel lets you join conversations with others who share your interests. Already there are tons of great channels from Tim Hortons (C00121F5C) to Mercedes-Benz (C0009C84D) to the Toronto Raptors (C000171E7), and my personal favorite, Through my Lens (C00019476). And more are coming online every week. I find BBM Channels is a great way to make new Contacts as well.