BLACKBERRY NEWS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Mi1LfK9eOhQBlackBerry has announced their latest update for BBM is officially rolling out today for all OSes. The update brings a few new additions like BBM Stickers with the BBM Shop, multi-person photo sharing, and an increase in the file transfer max size. The new BBM Shop, which will over time house different products for download and purchase is launching stickers packs. Each sticker pack contains between 20 and 25 stickers and features content developed by talented artists or relating to a theme or a character.
Examples of some stickers will most likely see are CosCat, Gilbert’s Tales or Bubble Bot, as well as sticker packs featuring content from popular brands including Shaun the Sheep and WWE. Sticker packs will either be free or $1.99 (or an approximate equivalent amount in local currency), and will be billed through each OS’ storefront.
BlackBerry has also partnered up with the WWE for a special WrestleMania 30 sticker pack which will be given away for free through BBM.

In addition to the BBM Shop and stickers, this latest update also introduces multi-person photo sharing, and a big increase in the file transfer limitations that have annoyed BBM users for quite a while. Multi-person chats – not Groups – will be able to share pictures within the chat just as easily as if it was a one-on-one BBM conversation. You can also send files up to 16MB in size through BBM. The bump of 10MB was done in part to help people share even more content together through BBM instead of needing to rely on other services for large files.

Check out the official press release below for all the details.
BBM Chats Just Got More Fun with the Introduction of Stickers
Multi-Person Photo Sharing and Larger File Transfers Round Out New Features
WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Editors Note: A photo for this release is available on the Canadian Press picture wire and AP PhotoExpress.
BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB), a global leader in mobile communications, today announced an update of BBM(TM), a leading mobile messaging platform for private and secure communications, that allows customers to further personalize and enhance their chat experiences.
Available for download later today from the respective app stores for the Android(TM), BlackBerry(R) and iOS(R) platforms, BBM will now offer stickers – larger, bolder and more expressive images than emoticons – that BBM users can add to their BBM chats. Customers will be able to purchase and download sticker packs from the new BBM Shop found in BBM.
“Stickers are another great example of how we’re making the BBM experience more engaging and fun for our customers,” said David Proulx, Senior Director, BBM at BlackBerry. “Stickers let you personalize your chats and strike the right chord with people around the world who rely on stickers in chats when they connect with colleagues, family, friends, peers and partners.”
BBM customers will be able to download a variety of sticker packs right inside BBM from the BBM Shop. Each sticker pack contains between 20 and 25 stickers and features content developed by talented artists or relating to a theme or a character like CosCat, Gilbert’s Tales or Bubble Bot, as well as sticker packs featuring content from popular brands including Shaun the Sheep and WWE. To start, sticker packs will either be offered for free, or cost US $1.99, or an approximate equivalent amount in the local currency, and will be billed through the device’s app store.
With WrestleMania 30 just around the corner, WWE is planning to give away a free sticker pack to its fans through BBM. In addition, a free sticker pack created by BlackBerry featuring favorite BBM emoticons will be available to all BBM customers that download the new update. BlackBerry plans to add new sticker packs on a regular basis.
In addition to stickers, BBM customers can now easily share photos in multi-person chats(i). Photos will be delivered in the chat as a thumbnail that can be opened to reveal the image in full size. BBM customers can also now send higher quality photos, videos and presentations thanks to larger in-chat file transfers. Files up to 16MB can now be shared in a chat, an increase of 10MB.(ii)
For more information about the BBM update, device requirements and other features, please visit bbm.com.
For a video on stickers and picture sharing follow:
Stickers Video
Picture Sharing Video
BBM continues to connect friends, family and colleagues across a myriad of mobile networks, as the standard for mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, and engaging experience that puts control of privacy and personal information back in the customers’ hands.
(i) Sharing pictures in multi-person chats is not included in BB0S
(ii) For sending and receiving on BlackBerry 10, iOS and Android.
BlackBerry smartphones running BBOS will be able to receive only.
About BBM
Introduced in 2005, BBM set the standard for mobile instant messaging and continues to drive innovation in messaging and private social networking. Today, BBM is one of the largest private social mobile networks, driving real, active conversations. Customers love BBM for its privacy, controls and immediacy with Delivered and Read statuses and message-in-progress notices.
About BlackBerry
A global leader in mobile communications, BlackBerry(R) revolutionized the mobile industry when it was introduced in 1999. Today, BlackBerry aims to inspire the success of our millions of customers around the world by continuously pushing the boundaries of mobile experiences. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company trades under the ticker symbols “BB” on the Toronto Stock Exchange and “BBRY” on the NASDAQ. For more information, visit www.blackberry.com.
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