RIM has been going a bit update happy with the latest batch of in-house social networking apps. Recently, they have updated Twitter and Facebook to versions 3.0.0.16 and 3.0.0.9 respectively, and now they have released the first BBM 6.2 beta.
Among the improvements made to Twitter for BlackBerry are improved BBM Connect integration; Twitter photo service integration; Automatic URL shortening; a new Tweet layout; and, unfortunately, the integration of Promoted Tweets (read: ads).
Improvements to Facebook for BlackBerry are similar: better BBM Connect integration, including sharing a specific post to a BBM contact; an improved interface and UI with easier access to Privacy Settings; improved Facebook Message notifications, including those that haven’t been pushed to the device, based on usage.
With BBM 6.2, the app has received yet another set of pretty big upgrades, including:
– Animated display pictures: More animated display pictures are now built into BBM. Change your picture to suit your mood.
– Change your name or message inline: You can quickly change your name or status message without leaving your contact list by clicking the text at the top of the screen. To exit inline editing, just scroll down. You can still access your profile screen by clicking your display picture.
– Streamlined voice notes: When your convenience key set to open BBM, if you highlight a contact in BBM and press the convenience key, you can start recording a voice note. Once you’re done, pressing the convenience key again will send the voice note. Group chats. You can return to the default color at any time.
– BlackBerry Tag enhancements: Adding contacts has never been easier. If your BlackBerry smartphone supports NFC technology, you can turn on the Allow Automatic Invitations by Tapping option. Then, as long as you or someone else has BBM open, you can add each other as contacts by aligning the backs of your smartphones. This feature requires that you both have the latest version of BBM installed on smartphones that support NFC technology.
– Resend a message: If a message didn’t send (for example, if your smartphone was outside of a wireless coverage area), you can highlight the message and select Resend from the menu.
– Search: When typing the name of a contact or group, the search ignores special characters and
emoticons to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
You must sign up for the BlackBerry Beta Zone to be eligible for these beta programs.
Source: CrackBerry
