New BlackBerry Messenger 7 brings free voice chat feature

Research In Motion (RIM) has released a BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) v7 beta, adding a new voice chat feature to the application. The BBM 7 beta works on BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS version 6 or higher. According to reports, RIM will be soon rolling out the voice chat feature to BB smartphones running version 5. The new feature, known as BBM Voice, allows users to make voice calls to other BBM users via wireless Internet connection. The split-screen feature allows users to talk and text at the same time, so for example, they can send a picture to their contact while talking with them. They can also check other BBM text chats, check email, or navigate to other apps while engaged on a BBM Voice call. Moreover, users can initiate the voice chat without needing to text first.The BBM Voice features a “visual indicator” that notifies users when a contact is available to take a voice chat. The new feature is compatible with standard BlackBerry voice accessories. Users can chat via BBM Voice using speakerphone, similar to the normal phone calls.Apart from voice chat, BBM version 7 also integrates with a BlackBerry ID for backing up groups, contacts and profile information, which can restored when switching to a new BlackBerry device. This will definitely please current BB owners who are looking to upgrade to a BB 10 device next year. While announcing the new BBM, Vice President of BBM and Social Communities at RIM T.A. McCann said in a statement: “The new BBM Voice feature is for when you’re travelling and you want to call home without worrying about phone charges. It’s for when you have news you can’t wait to share, for quickly explaining complicated details, and collaborating with colleagues. Whenever your ideas are too big for text, there’s BBM Voice.”

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