BlackBerry first introduced BBM Voice back in December 2012 when the Canadian smartphone manufacturer released version 7 of its popular BlackBerry Messenger service. The voice feature in BBM 7 enabled BlackBerry users across the world to make free calls via Wi-Fi connection to their contacts which are also using a BlackBerry smartphone. However, when BBM 7 was released its Voice feature was only available to those who are running the BlackBerry OS 6 or a version higher than this. Now BlackBerry has launched an updated version of BBM, 7.0.1.23 that will enable its OS 5 users to make free calls as well. The Waterloo-based company has launched this 7.0.1 version of BBM with Voice feature on Monday, March 11.
“In addition, BlackBerry ID is also integrated to ensure a simple transition when switching from one BlackBerry to another,” according to CrackBerry. Though, OS 5 is quite old now many people around the world are still using it, as the BlackBerry Curve 8520, which runs this OS is the cheapest BlackBerry model available in the market. Therefore, BlackBerry OS 5 users will be more than happy to receive the new update, which the Canadian company has promised to them at the time of the BBM 7 launch.
On this occasion BlackBerry has also announced through an email that during the last three months since they had launched the BBM Voice more than 50 million calls have be made through this service. Nevertheless, BlackBerry did not make it known how long these calls were or in which countries people are using the BBM Voice. If BlackBerry would have rolled out these details it would have generated a lot interest, as the company currently has more than 79 million subscribers of which over 60 million are using BlackBerry Messenger across the world.
Now with the advent of BBM 7.0.1 this number of users is expected to rise, as all BlackBerry OS 5 users need to do is either get a plan with reasonable data allowance or get a Wi-Fi connection to make free calls through BBM Voice. The availability of BBM Voice on OS 5 will also help BlackBerry to boost its low-end model sales, which means that the company can also see an increase in its market share. However, in his recent intervivew to Bloomberg BlakcBerry’s CEO Thorsten Heins said that they will not compromise on the brand value by significantly slashing the price of their smartphones to $50 or $60.
Therefore, in the coming months we do not expect that BlackBerry may produce an inexpensive model like the Curve 8520.
Source: TQ, MobileSyrup, CrackBerry
Photo: N4BB
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