BBM “had” a $1-per-month subscription hat gives some key features pertaining to privacy. Why “had?” Because those features can now be availed free of charge. In a new update for the Android, iOS, and Blackberry versions of the app, device owners will be able to gain unlimited access to Retract and Timer.
BBM Now Offers Free Access to the Retract and Timer Features
The Retract feature found in the BBM app for Android, iOS, and Blackberry devices lets user rescind messages and photos that they have accidentally sent to the wrong person or if they no longer want certain messages and information accessible to certain recipients. The feature’s functionalities are just what it’s name suggests.
As for the Timer feature, on the other hand, it borrows what Snapchat primarily does – gives users control as to how long can contacts view shared pictures, location information, and most especially messages. With this feature, users of the BlackBerry Messenger app will be able to let other see their messages and have it “self destruct” for a maximum of 15-seconds.
Matthew Talbot, senior vice president of BBM at BlackBerry, stated the following pertaining to the move: “Building on the renowned immediacy, reliability, and security inherent to BBM, the new release provides unmatched level of privacy and control to BBM users without any subscription fees. Keeping control over the messages and content that they share, BBM users can be ensured that what they share is always theirs to control.”
Aside from the Retract and Timer features, the latest update also includes access to other functionalities such as Private Chat, Edit, and the ability to forward messages from one chat room to another. In Private Chat, users are able to remove their names and avatars from the conversation, whereas the Edit feature will let users rewrite the messages that have already been sent to a contact.
There are other notable changes to the app for all devices it supports. The app now has Android 6.0 Marshmallow support, and it now has the ability to mute notifications from multi-person chats. Users are also now able to scroll through shared photos. As for iOS device owners, they get an enhanced screen aesthetic. There’s also enhanced video sharing and a multi-select mode for Apple owners.
For Android and iOS devices, BBM now comes with an improved voice call quality and it now has the option to save to the device pictures that were taken inside the app. The company also made it easier to delete messages just from the chat view. Users are also able to retract and edit messages found in group chats as well.