BlackBerry Limited (BBRY) announced on Friday the latest update to BlackBerry Messenger by introducing two new features called ‘Timed Messages’ and ‘Message Retraction’.
According to a press release from the company, the first upgrade lets the user control how long messages and pictures shared with contacts can be viewed within BBM by setting a time. The message is hidden until the recipient touches and holds on the chat. Then, once the timer has expired (or if the recipient takes their finger off the screen), the message is no longer visible. The user also receives a notification if BBM detects that the recipient has taken a screenshot of the image or message.
The second feature, Message Retraction, lets the users retract their message to remove it from their BBM chat before it has been read by the recipient or after it has been read so that it is no longer visible within the BBM chat.
The Waterloo, Canada-based company is hoping the release of the new upgrades, which will be available for free and without restrictions to BBM messaging service users only for a limited time, as the company has revealed plans for a subscription version, will result in a new revenue stream.
Blackberry said the BBM upgrade will offer users new ways to chat and share with more privacy and control over their communications. The company also said the app’s new capabilities will be available for BlackBerry’s own smartphones as well as for Android and iOS over the next couple of days. No details were given as to when the Windows Phone version would be updated.
BBRY closed at $10.50 on Friday.
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