WhatsApp to end support for BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone by the end of the year

With 2017 ending in just a few days, WhatsApp just announced its ending support for two old operating systems on December 31: the BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone 8.0. For BlackBerry, that includes BlackBerry 10, while Windows Phone encompasses the older iterations. While the app will still function on those platforms, without support this means some features might stop functioning suddenly. You also won’t be able to create new accounts or re-verify existing ones. The Facebook-owned messaging service is encouraging users to upgrade to other support platforms to make sure they get the service they can expect from WhatsApp. But they also remind users that they can’t transfer chat histories from one platform to another, but you can export and send your chat history attached to an email.

Source: VentureBeat

Skype for Windows Phone gets location sharing

Skype has gotten a new useful feature for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows Phone 8. You can now share your location with the people you’re chatting with. What’s so good about this, you ask? Well, if you’re out and about and will be meeting people. You can message them and show where you are and they can help you regain your bearings. You just need to select the “+” icon in a chat and tap on “Share location” and you are good to go.

Source: Skype | Download: Windows Phone Store (Free) 

BBM for Windows Phone now out of beta

Just in case you haven’t noticed BlackBerry Messenger for Windows Phone is now out of beta. It was first introduced in July as a beta release for Windows Phone 8 users. Now, the app is officially up for download on Windows Phone Store. This version of the app (1.01) fixes any of the bugs found during beta and adds the prerequisite performance improvements. It will also supposedly load faster than before.

BlackBerry Messenger takes one step closer to its Windows Phone release

BlackBerry has previously said its BlackBerry Messenger would make its way to Windows Phone this July and it looks like they are inching their way there. The BBM is now available in private beta mode on the Windows Phone store. According to the description, it will be compatible with Windows Phone 8 and 8.1.

A spokeswoman told CNET that they are using the storefront to do closed internal beta of the app and that they plan to extend that to a wider external beta in the coming weeks. She said that those who would be interested in participating in the external beta should keep their eye out on BBM’s blog.