Free Calls For BBM for Android and iPhone During 2014

In a move to make BBM more of a competitor in the marketplace, Excalibur partner BlackBerry are allowing free calls between BBM contacts from early next year.

The move is all part of BlackBerry’s strategy to make itself relevant again and to reclaim some of the market share it has lost in the last few years. Announced back in December, the changes to BBM will allow anyone using the BBM app with Android or iPhone to call another BBM contact for free, regardless of where in the world they are.

This will bring BBM in direct competition with the likes of Skype, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts and the other voice messaging apps on the market. It will allows users of the BBM app to contact each other, not just owners of BlackBerry phones. That’s what is going to make this app work.

The change is part of a BBM update that will also see the app bring in BBM Channels. Channels is a monetised app that provides interest-related chat rooms to phones. Each channel will be geared towards a particular hobby or interest and will allow users of BBM, Android and iOS to meet and chat about their pastimes.

A release from BlackBerry said:

“By creating your own channel you can start conversations sparked by your thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a BBM channel lets you join conversations with others who share your interests. We’re beta testing these features now for release on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry 10 in the next couple months so stay sharp, they’ll be here before you know it.”

While a little late to the party, these changes will allow lovers of BlackBerry to enjoy many of the benefits their friends with Android and iOS have had for a while with other apps.

They aren’t the only changes being introduced either. While slated for after the free chat release, there are also photo options, voice notes, location sharing and fresh set of emoticons planned for BBM over the coming months. All designed to make BBM a much rounder and fuller app for users of all kinds.