BlackBerry update: private chat

BlackBerry on Friday updated to its BBM apps for Android, BlackBerry 10, and iOS with a new Private Chat feature.

The latest BlackBerry Messenger build version 2.9.0.44 is currently available from Google Play India. The Canadian company also says the update to BBM with new qualities and improvements including Private Chat is also in the BlackBerry 10 and iOS apps, but while the updated BB10 app is available on BlackBerry World, the App Store still lists an older BBM app version that was last modified in April.

The BBM update primarily added the Privacy and Control Subscription, which replaces the existing Timed and Pull Back Messages Subscription. The most notable of the features offered in the subscription is Private Chat, which allows people to have a private chat without contact names or new message notification, and the chat also self-destructs after a short period of time. 

The previously offered Timed Messages or Retracted Messages features meant for specific chats still remain, while a new Edit Message feature has also been added. The Edit Message option will allow users to retract, change, and re-send the message. The Privacy and Control Subscription will be available at $0.99 (approximately Rs. 63) per month and the current Timed and Retracted Messages subscribers will be automatically renovated to this bundle.

Apart from these common changes across the Android, BB10, and iOS apps, BlackBerry has also completely improved the Android app with a Material Design makeover. It brings a new look and introduces new colour theme to BBM. Some of the other additions in the update include the new hide unused sticker packs; Quote Message, which will allow to reply to a last messages in the chat; tablet support, and landscape mode support. The new update also enables users to update their status from the feed. For iOS users, BlackBerry has also updated the way font sizes are interpret on iOS. On BlackBerry 10, the BBM app also gets the Quote Message feature, the ability to modify status from the Feeds tab, and the ability to handle sticker collections.