BlackBerry Messenger
| Stable release | 6.1.0.49 / January 1, 2012[1] |
|---|---|
| Operating system | BlackBerry OS |
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Type | Instant Messaging Client |
| Website | www.blackberry.com/bbm |
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a proprietary Internet-based instant messenger application included on BlackBerry devices which allows messaging between BlackBerry users. It was developed by the manufacturer of the Blackberry: Research In Motion (RIM). Messages sent via Blackberry Messenger are sent over the Internet and use the BlackBerry PIN system, so communication is only possible between two BlackBerry devices.
The service communicates over the phone's Internet connection using either the mobile phone network or a wireless LAN ("Wi-Fi") network connected to the Internet.
Exchanging messages is possible to a single person or via dedicated discussion or chat groups, which allow multiple BlackBerry devices to communicate in a single session. In addition to offering text-based instant messages, BlackBerry Messenger also allows users to send pictures, voicenotes (audio recordings), files, location on a map, and a wide selection of emoticons (also known as "smileys") over the Blackberry network.
With the release of BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, BlackBerry allows users to use a QR Code to add each other to their respective friends lists rather than using only numeric PIN identification or an email address associated with the user's BlackBerry.
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[edit] Privacy and security
Some Asian governments put pressure on RIM in 2010 to allow official access to BBM messages. The Indian government threatened to block use of the 800,000 users in the country because of the fear that BBM could be used to plan terrorist attacks. The United Arab Emirates was also particularly concerned about the use of the devices to spread anti-establishment messages.[2]
In 2011, BBM was suspected of being a major medium used by participants in the English riots, due to the ease of sending one-to-many messages, and the lack of traceability compared to other social media.[3][4] RIM said that they would co-operate with official requests made under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and was subsequently targeted by the hacker group known as Team Poison.[4][5][6]
[edit] Reliability
BlackBerry Messenger is widely reputed for its uptime and reliability.[7][8] However, from 10 – 12 October 2011, those using the service within North America, Europe, the Middle-East and Africa were widely affected by an outage at provider RIM's UK headquarters in Slough, Berkshire. Blackberry Messenger was reported to be unavailable, seriously affecting the company's reputation.[9][10] The issue generally affected users from between one to three days.
[edit] Features
- Send and receive messages with unlimited length.
- Choose a personal BBM display picture and status.
- Real-time confirmations when messages are delivered and read.
- Share photos, videos and more with multiple contacts at once.
- Add contacts by scanning QR Codes or sharing PINs.
- Send music files.
[edit] Trademark conflict with BBM Canada
In late December 2011, after exhausting all non-court remedies to rectify the situation, the broadcast ratings provider BBM Canada (which has maintained the BBM trademark in Canada since 1944) has asked Research in Motion to cease using the BBM initialisation to describe the BlackBerry Messenger service, or finance the cost for BBM Canada to change their branding in exchange for the use of the BBM initialisation, or face further legal action[11].
[edit] References
- ^ "BlackBerry Messenger v5.0.3.22 now rolling out through BlackBerry App World". CrackBerry. May 2, 2011. http://crackberry.com/blackberry-messenger-v5-0-3-22-now-rolling-out-through-blackberry-app-world. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
- ^ Halliday, Josh (1 September 2010). "BlackBerry wins the battle but not the war in India". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/sep/01/blackberry-india-rim. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ^ Halliday, Josh (8 August 2011). "London riots: how BlackBerry Messenger played a key role". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/08/london-riots-facebook-twitter-blackberry. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ^ a b Mackenzie, Iain (8 August 2011). "Is technology to blame for the London riots?". BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14442203. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "Blackberry to co-operate with police after youths used BBM to organise riots". ComputerWeekly.com. http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/08/09/247556/Blackberry-to-co-operate-with-police-after-youths-used-BBM-to-organise.htm. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ "England riots: Hackers hit Blackberry over police help". BBC News. 10 August 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14476620. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
- ^ "Why BlackBerry: Messaging - a Collective testimonial of BlackBerry users". http://www.bberrydog.com/2010/07/why-blackberry-messaging/. BBerryDog Forum.
- ^ "new iMessage service a rival for BlackBerry Messenger". http://technoreview.net/2011/06/imassage-a-new-rival-for-blackberry-messenger.html. technoreview.net.
- ^ "BlackBerry service crash affects BBM messaging for millions". The Guardian. 10 October 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/10/blackberry-outage-affects-bbm-services. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion on Twitter: post on 10 Oct 2011 at 15:15 BST". http://twitter.com/#!/BlackBerryHelp/status/123399612924043265. Research In Motion.
- ^ Marlow, Ian (23 December 2011). "RIM asks court to dismiss BBM trademark lawsuit". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rim-asks-court-to-dismiss-bbm-trademark-lawsuit/article2282495/. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
[edit] Further reading
- Dannenfeldt, Diane (2008-02-21). "How BlackBerry Messenger Works". HowStuffWorks. http://communication.howstuffworks.com./blackberry-messenger.htm.
[edit] External link
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