14 DAY TRIAL // BlackBerry is relentlessly working to add as many new features as possible to one of its most popular product, BBM. The messaging service is one of the most reliable and secure in the smartphone business and BlackBerry is perfectly aware of it.
In order to test new features that would be added to BBM, BlackBerry first implements them into beta versions of the application, which are tested by users who registered for the beta program.
The next version of BBM beta for Android, iOS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry is expected to arrive very soon and those who can access it will be able to test two new features that will most likely make it into the final iteration in the coming weeks.
According to CrackBerry, BlackBerry focuses on adding new security feature and enhancing privacy options that are already included in BBM.
In this regard, BlackBerry plans to add a new feature that would allow BBM users to send timed messages. Basically, you will be able to set a timer for how long messages and pictures that you share with contacts can be viewed within BBM.
Simply tap on the timer icon next to the text bar and choose the amount of time you want the recipient to be able to view that message, and when the time expires, the message disappears.
The interesting thing is that BBM will immediately notify the sender if the recipient tries to take a screenshot of the message, although it’s unclear what will happen after that as the damage will have already be done.
With Message Retraction users can recall messages sent to wrong contacts
The next new feature that BBM beta users should expect to receive very soon is called Message Retraction. The new feature allows users to recall a message before it’s seen by the recipient. This comes in handy when you send a message to the wrong person or when you change your mind regarding a message.
Message Retraction provides users with the option to retract their message to remove it from the BBM chat. Simply touch and hold on the message that you want to retract and choose the new “retract message” option from the menu.
According to BlackBerry, the new feature only works with messages, not pictures, and is only available in one-to-one chats.
Although three of the beta versions of BBM (Android, BlackBerry and iOS) are expected to receive these new features, it’s unclear when exactly the final version will get it and in what order. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.
