Definition

BlackBerry Messenger

BlackBerry Messenger is a real-time communications application for BlackBerry smartphones. BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a proprietary native app that runs on BlackBerry’s network and servers.

BBM started off as a proprietary instant messaging platform. In the past, a BBM user would have to share personal identification numbers before BlackBerry devices could communicate. Over the years, BlackBerry added additional methods for devices to identify each other, such as scanning QR codes and sharing contacts by using the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol.  Users can now send and receive files, share applications with each other and voice chat. With the release of the BlackBerry 10 operating system in 2013, BBM also added screen-sharing and video chat capabilities.

Contributor(s): Colin Steele
This was last updated in February 2013
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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