New BBM app offers free call facility for Android, iPhone users

BlackBerry has started rolling out a new version of its popular instant messaging app BBM, which allows Android and iPhone users to make free voice calls to other BBM contacts.

BBM users on Android and iPhone will now be able to make free voice calls to BBM contacts over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection with BBM Voice, as well as access BBM Channels, a broadcast service, BlackBerry said in a statement.

The free voice call feature is already available for Blackberry handset users.

BBM Channels allows users to chat with other BBM users on topics of interest them. These range from products, hobbies and sports to entertainment, fashion and cars.

In addition to this, BBM users on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones will also get features like one-click sharing of photos, documents and voice notes.

"Today's announcement gives Android and iPhone customers the rich experience of BBM Voice and BBM Channels - two great ways to connect with friends, family and colleagues, to build out communities around shared interests, and to follow your favourite people and brands," BlackBerry President (Global Enterprise Solutions) John Sims said.

Over 250,000 BBM channels have been created by large brands like Coke Indonesia and USA Today. Indian Channels include Airtel, Firstpost.Com and CCD.

Last year, BlackBerry had announced the global rollout of its instant messaging service BBM on rival phones/platforms.

Within days of launching BBM cross platform in October, BlackBerry had 40 million new Android and iOS users.

Combining with the existing 60 million active BBM users worldwide, the total BBM base stood at 100 million as of November 30, 2013.

Currently, BBM comes pre-loaded on Android devices from brands like LG, Micromax, Celkon, Spice and Zen.