14 DAY TRIAL // All BlackBerry Beta Zone users have now the possibility to download and take for a spin a new flavor of the BlackBerry Messenger 6.0, which brings forth a wide range of new features. The new version of the mobile application is 6.0.0.73, a beta release meant to provide users with a taste of what RIM plans for the software, though with few major changes when compared to the BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 release.
Even so, the new flavor of the mobile application does come with a wide range of enhancements into the mix, and with various performance enhancements that would translate into a better experience offered to all users.
According to a recent article on n4bb, the release notes for the new application version would include:
- Updated BBM branding - More “snappy” and responsive feel - Visual distinction of message drafts vs. sent messages - Any alerts set for SMS contacts are now preserved in BBM once an SMS contact is integrated with BBM - Invite a Text Messaging Contact — it’s now easier to search contacts - Location Search — you can now search for a location before sending, similar to the Location - Search experience via SMS - Location Sending — you can now detect your location with cell tower triangulation or GPS - Appointment Sending – sending appointment or calendar events is now a similar experience to that of sending an appointment via SMS
BlackBerry Beta Zone members interested in trying the new application version out should sign into their accounts and sign up for receiving it.
The application is available for BlackBerry smartphones at the moment, but RIM already unveiled plans to make it available for other mobile operating systems as well, including Android or iPhone.
RIM aims at offering more and more mobile phone users the possibility to try out its IM software on their devices, even if they are not owners of a BlackBerry device, so as to raise awareness on what it can offer with its products.