BBM to evolve into interest based mobile social network through Channels

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

With 80 million worldwide users, BlackBerrys now cross-platform BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) is evolving into its own social engagement platform within BBM. BBM Channels is expected to come out of beta testing and will offer BlackBerry users the opportunity to create their own personal or brand channels. Interested followers can subscribe to these channels much like how people follow others on Facebook or on Twitter. BBM Channels can be verified so as to avoid fakes and channels can be set up for specific events like concerts, sporting events and conferences. This allows for focused, user-targeted and noise-free communications.

BlackBerry OS 5 and above and BlackBerry 10 through BlackBerry World. BlackBerry users can simply update to the newest version of BBM to have access to the BBM Channels beta when it becomes available later today.

Update on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 1:16PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Some sources say the BBM Channels feature will rollout in updates to the BBM app starting 3 PM Eastern Today.

BlackBerry Messenger now available for iOS and Android, for real

#BBM4all is finally a reality, as anyone with an iPhone or an Android smartphone can head on to their respective app stores and download BlackBerry from BlackBerry Limited (don't be fooled by fake apps on Android, there are many). This is a big day for BlackBerry as it opens its free BBM platform to millions of users in competing platforms (although, no love for Windows Phone). For more info, head on to BBM.com

BlackBerry and Kik messenger finally decide to play nice

After almost three years of back and forth legal banter, Waterloo-based BlackBerry (then RIM when dispute was filed) and Waterloo-based Kik messenger have finally settled their long-standing instant messenger dispute.

Although no word on settlement or how this will play out now for Kik, it puts to rest the patent infringement case that was filed back in 2010 when Kik launched their popular messenger service which - to this day - feels a lot like BlackBerry's famed BBM.

We reached out to Kik's founder and CEO Ted Livingston for comment and here is what he had to say:

"Its a tough subject that I can't say much on. Appreciate you asking though!"

Could this mean a future for Kik on BlackBerry 10? Unlikely. I think it was more about long term legal fees than anything. Stay tuned for more

via The Globe

BlackBerry Z30 coming to Canada October 15th

BlackBerry's latest and greatest flagship smartphone, the anticipated Z30, is coming to Canada on October 15th. Blackberry says the Z30 offers a5-inch display, BlackBerry Natural Sound technology, intelligent BlackBerry Priority Hub, and other innovative features of the new smartphone with the BlackBerry 10.2 OS.

The new smartphone will be available from authorized partners Bell, TELUS, MTS, and Sasktel, as well as Best Buy, Future Shop and other select retail stores across the country. Pricing and availability is provided by the individual carrier.