BlackBerry Messenger users rejoice, as BlackBerry has finally launched video calling for the Android version of the app.
The feature is still in its beta mode, but users will be able to gain access and try out BBM Video by simply updating their BBM apps to the latest version. There is no registration or any signing up required to be able to access BBM Video.
In a post on the official BlackBerry blog, BlackBerry senior VP for emerging solution Matthew Talbot acknowledged the clamor of BBM users for video calling as he announced the launch of the beta feature for the Android version of the app.
Access to BBM Video, however, is currently limited only to Android users in the United States and Canada. The company wishes to be able to monitor the performance of the feature and efficiently gather feedback in preparation for BBM Video's global launch, which is pegged on July.
Users on iOS devices will not have to wait long before the beta version of the feature arrives to their iPhones and iPads though, with Talbot stating that the rollout for BBM Video on iOS will follow closely.
Once BBM Video is available for both Android and iOS, users will be able to initiate cross-platform video calls between devices running either of the two mobile operating systems. Android users need to have their devices at Android 4.4 KitKat or higher, while iOS users will need to be updated to iOS 8 or higher.
To use the feature, BBM users will be presented with the option of connecting with a regular voice call or launching a video call when they make a call to one of their contacts.
The feature coming to the BBM app comes just after it was confirmed that BlackBerry will soon be releasing two new Android smartphones, codenamed "Hamburg" and "Rome." The devices are said to be midrange smartphones, with the Hamburg smartphone to be released in the second quarter with a $400 price tag and the Rome smartphone to be launched with a $300 price tag, with no expected release date mentioned.
