14 DAY TRIAL // BlackBerry Messenger for Windows Phone graduated from beta a few months ago, but the beta version continues to receive updates pretty often which add new features, improvements and bug fixes, if needed.
Windows Phone users who decided to enter the BBM beta program will be pleased to know that the newest update for the application brings tons of new features and enhancements, which are meant to improve user overall experience.
The new BBM 120.0.0.1 is already available for download via Windows Phone Store, so here is what’s new in this release. First of all, the Notification system has been improved with a few enhancements, so it provides a smoother experience when using BBM on Windows Phone.
For example, BBM for Windows Phone is now capable of seeing message details as part of the notification without having to open the application at all.
Moreover, BBM users who send a message to their BBM for Windows Phone friends will now be able to see a “D” even if their Windows Phone friend doesn’t have BlackBerry Messenger running, so they know their message has been delivered.
Last but not least, the new notification number that’s being displayed will now indicate the number of new chats instead of displaying the total number of new messages.
But this is not all, as CrackBerry points out that lots of new features have been introduced as well, such as support for new emoticons, barcode scanner/view finder display, Groups invite improvements and invitation screen updates.
In addition, people you know suggestions now appear full screen during setup. Developers also implemented Contacts pinning from Homepage and a new feature that allows users to move contact into category through long press. Last but not least, some UI improvements to make groups stand out in contact list have also been made.
Lots of issues have been addressed, based on users' feedback, as well
The addition of new content is not the only thing BlackBerry pursues with this major update, so expect lots of bug fixes to be implemented. Here is a list of issues that have been addressed in this update based on users’ feedback:
- Selecting BBM contact crashes app after changing BBID password; - BBM stops responding when using emoticons; - Portion of BBM screen gets black for some time while selecting contacts to invite to a group after it has been created; - Chats - Share location- Map not displaying the accurate location when tapped on the chat bubble; - User is taken to the sent invitation tab on hitting back after opening an email invite; - Invitation: Scanning barcode seen in scanning device screen become stretched; - Invites: Contact is not adding directly to the users contact; - Feeds: Text “No updates” displayed instead of “No new items.”
There are still some issues that need to be corrected and BlackBerry provided a list with bugs that haven’t been addressed yet, but they have been acknowledged and fixes are in the works.
So, BBM for Windows Phone beta users may want to know that notifications for received location are not received on the home screen, only after opening the application.
Some known issues still remain to be fixed in future updates
Another problems mentioned by developers are the fact that notifications for received pictures do not handle the HQ automatic request, while other notifications may not be received when a user leaves multi-chat. Only after opening the BBM application you might receive the notification.
It’s also a common issue that there are no notifications when users join a group. A few more known issues have been confirmed by BlackBerry, so check them out below:
- Group picture comment top notification has no content after the colon; - Existing contacts show on the list of "Find friends" and “Add, Invite to BBM;” - After 3 notifications (3 chats) subsequent notifications are not received, sometimes no notifications at all; - Only 4 notifications for voice note received out of 7; - The notification number indicator is out of sync with the notification on the top of the screen.
All in all, you can now download BBM for Windows Phone beta 120.0.0.1 for free via Windows Phone Store. Keep in mind that the application should be fully compatible with all devices powered by Windows Phone 8 and up.