RIM’s Facebook has mentioned that BlackBerry Messenger will be getting “some exciting things… in the days (and weeks!) ahead”. Take that as you will – new features? Maybe, but at very least we can expect a maintenance release to tweak the UI and optimize performance, but between the visibility on Facebook and the gigantic new promo on BlackBerry.com’s front page, I’m half-expecting some kind of celebrity event surrounding BBM. Hey, maybe the concert crowd above suggests something of the musical variety…?
If you’re not familiar, BlackBerry Messenger is an instant-messaging client based on device PIN numbers, where all messages are routed through RIM’s servers in Waterloo, Ontario. The last update to the app was significant enough to elevate BBM from the status of text message alternative to full-blown IM client – profiles, groups, file sharing, remote backup, QR code friending, the works.
As great as that update was, there are still a few things I’d like to see in the long run for BBM. For one, it would be nice to be able to log on to BlackBerry Messenger from a PC. Sometimes, there’s just too much going on in BlackBerry cliques to keep up with with your thumbs alone. On top of that, there are a lot of social networks that allow you to update GTalk and Windows Live Messenger status with, say, your latest tweet – the ability to do something similar in BBM would be pretty nice. Similarly, I’d like to be able to shunt out what I’m listening to on the native BlackBerry media player to those other clients, like BBM already does. Finally, way back there were rumours that BBM 5.0 was going to feature some kind of location awareness. Considering how tight-knit BlackBerry groups tend to be, I think something akin to Latitude, only dedicated to BlackBerry users would be really awesome.
In any case, if you own a BlackBerry and haven’t taken the dive into BBM, you can find more information at RIM.
[Facebook via RIMarkable]