BlackBerry Messenger just got a whole lot more festive for iOS and Android users. The new version of the messaging app will now add stickers, group photo sharing and the ability to send much larger attachments.
BlackBerry will offer special sticker packs in the new BBM Shop, a marketplace where many believe BlackBerry will start adding extra features for users to buy. Some of the sticker packs are free, but others cost $1.99. BlackBerry is expected to increase the prices on premium sticker packs and perhaps add other paid add-ons to BBM in the next few years.
"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 of BBM. "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."
Each of the packs comes with 20 to 25 stickers. Each pack has a theme, so some are just typical smiley faces; some are big brands like WWE, CosCat, Gilbert's Tales, Bubble Bot and Shaun the Sheep. Since Wrestle Mania 30 is coming up soon, the WWE sticker pack will be free for BBM users.
In addition to the new stickers, BlackBerry added the ability to share photos in a group chat, so all the members of the chat can see the photographs at the same time. BBM users will also be able to send files as large as 16MB to fellow BBM users. Now, users will be able to send high-resolution pictures, videos and even presentations over BBM. As a result, BlackBerry has truly brought BBM into the 21st century.
The app update should start rolling out to iOS, Android and BB10 users on Tuesday. These improvements are all part of BlackBerry's efforts to keep its current users interested in BBM and to attract new users to the platform. BBM faces tough competition from WhatsApp, WeChat, Hangouts, Facebook Messenger and many other messaging apps.
BBM currently has 85 million monthly active users, which is an impressive feat when you consider that the messaging app has only been available on iOS and Android for a short amount of time. WhatsApp, on the other hand, has 450 million monthly active users. If BBM wants to keep growing its following, it must continue to add intriguing new features, lest it lose everything to WhatsApp.
