The video call feature of BlackBerry Messenger was used BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry. (Photo : YouTube/BlackBerry)
BlackBerry is joining the messaging app race and added video chat to its Messenger for iOS and Android. Microsoft and Facebook are seeing messaging app as the future of user engagement and though BlackBerry is not on bots yet, it adds video calling to its BBM across platforms.
BlackBerry added to BBM for iOS and Android, voice calling feature in 2014. BlackBerry 10 users can already make video calls with other BlackBerry 10 users with the platform's Messenger app, according to ZDNet. The feature now expands to iOS and Android.
To use BBM Video, one has to select a contact and tap "try a Beta Video Call." If the person on the other end has enabled the feature, they will be able to voice chat. Otherwise, BBM will activate the standard voice call. The feature is cross platform, so iOS users can chat with Android users and vice-versa.
The feature is available in the United States or Canada for now and will run on Google's Android KitKat 4.4 and higher, as well as on Apple's iOS 8 and higher. BBM video messaging will roll out in July and the rest of the world will be able to use it. Users can give it a try by downloading the newest BBM version from the App Store or Google Play.
Mobile video calling has been quickly rising to fame in the U.S., which is attributed to the younger people who embrace technology and the new infrastructure that supports smartphones, high-definition phone cameras and 4G wireless networks. Video calling feature in mobile devices has been available through the services of Apple's FaceTime that is only iOS-supported.
Google Hangouts, Snapchat and Skype are three of the cross-platform video calling services. In business, video teleconferencing is not new as it is supported by apps like Google Apps for Work and Skype for Business.
BlackBerry has been struggling with sales and is trying to do something similar to what Microsoft does - bring its services to competing mobile operating systems, MacWorld reported. It has no plans to produce a BlackBerry 10 device this year, but two mid-range Android phones.
The Canada-based original equipment manufacturer hopes its business-centered, easy and mobile OS will be back into the enterprise communication platform. It targets businesses so companies can make decisions fast, meet job candidates virtually and save time on travel.
The following video discusses BBM video chat on BlackBerry to BlackBerry.
