BBM for Android and iOS gets voice calling, Channels and more

BBM update brings a slew of new features including voice calling, Channels and new emoticons.

BlackBerry has rolled out a major update to its BlackBerry Messenger application on Android and iOS platforms. The update brings a slew of new features including voice calling, Channels and new emoticons.

With the new update, BBM users on Android and iPhone will be able to make free voice calls to BBM contacts over Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.

Users can also access BBM Channels broadcast service. BBM channels lets users interact with other BBM users on topics of similar interest. BBM Channels includes topics across hobbies and sports to entertainment, fashion, cars and others. Users have options to schedule live chats or have private channels.

Other important features that the new update brings include voice notes, ability to share live location, new emoticons and one-click sharing of images.

In addition to this, BBM users on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones will also get features like one-click sharing of photos, documents, voice notes and more, the ability to share their live location for a specified amount of time with other contacts, and 100 new emoticons.