14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry is getting ready for the release of voice calling features for BlackBerry Messenger for Android devices, and appears set to make it available as soon as the next month.
The feature is called BBM Voice, and will provide users with the possibility to enjoy free calling to other BBM users out there. iOS users will also receive the new functionality.
At the same time, the company is aiming at allowing Android users to browse and create BBM Channels from their devices, an option that has long been confirmed to arrive on other platforms beside BlackBerry 10.
According to The Times of India, Krishnadeep Baruah, senior director, channel marketing in Asia Pacific for Blackberry was the one to confirm this, stating that both options will be delivered as part of an update set to arrive in the next few weeks.
Moreover, he confirmed that BBM Video was also considered for release on Android and iOS devices, but did not provide a specific release window for it.
The feature will make it on more mobile operating systems in the not too distant future, but it’s unclear whether it will be part of the next app update or not.
When asked about the availability of BBM for Windows Phone devices, Krishnadeep Baruah did not deny the possible release of such an app.
"We're constantly evaluating and hopefully at the right time we will be able to launch on newer platforms," Baruah said, without offering further info on the matter.
Previously, BBM Voice and BM Channels were confirmed to arrive on other devices beside BlackBerry 10 smartphones before the end of this year, but no specific timeframe for the roll out has been provided.
Hopefully, the Canadian vendor will deliver specifics on its plans for BBM for Android sooner rather than later, so keep an eye on this space to learn the news.