FollowThe user guide for the BBM application for Android has been accidentally leaked and it is causing quite a furor. The application, which is used by Blackberry users, was accidentally posted on Blackberry’s world-wide website, and quickly pulled, but many had already seen the contents. The information leaked included details of how the application will function, and also includes features that will be introduced in the new version of the application. BBM for iOS is also still under the wraps and soon even iOS users will be able to take advantage of BBM.
Blackberry users now know that there will be some continuity when it comes to the design of the messenger application. They also know that new features will make the messenger compete on a level playing ground with other messengers which had almost made it obsolete. Some of the new features that will make the BBM stronger is the ability to send images, use Emoticons and Emoji. Other features include broadcast messaging, croup chatting, and real-time communications. In order to cut down the cost of data, the new BBM will be able to access both Wi-Fi and Cellular networks.
BBM users will also be able to create community profiles which will have photos, and personal information. This will turn the messaging service into s mini social networking theater. The user experience of this new feature allows people who are not BBM users to be listed in the BBM friend-list. This means that BBM will be able to communicate across networks and across platforms.
People who use third-party messaging applications are however skeptic of the flexibility of BBM. Almost all operating systems for smartphones have their own individual messaging applications. Coupled with the proliferation of third-party messaging services, it will be a monumental task to just keep in touch with your wide circle of friends. Applications such as WeChat and WhatsApp will provide steep competition since they can already communicate with users across several email hosts, and chat applications. The question is whether BBM will be able to give BlackBerry users the same kind of integration.
BBM for Android and iOS is an effort to encourage wider use of the application, especially in Samsung and iPhone, the leaders in the Smartphone markets. The application might also be targeted at the iPad, which will make it compatible with the leading tablet manufacturers. All-in-all, he leaked guidelines for BBM for Android and iOS have led to far-reaching speculation of how the application will perform once it is officially released.
