Skip to main content

BlackBerry outs BBM Channels, a social platform for brands and celebrities

 BBM Channels

BBM was once the pinnacle of messaging perfection and BlackBerry enjoyed flaunting it in front of the competition, but with the rise of rival chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, BlackBerry needs to stay competitive. One of the ways it plans to do that is with BBM Channels, a new social platform aimed squarely at celebrities and brands.

Recommended Videos

Hot on the heels of the announcement that BBM would eventually be available on iOS and Android, Channels promises to further build on the BlackBerry brand. The first brand to take advantage of the platform is the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a pretty niche brand for a product launch but at least it’s not a BlackBerry fan page.

Users will be able to create a channel to gain followers, which can be controlled with a web client or BlackBerry smartphone – though the feature will be extended to iOS and Android pending acceptance into the app stores. Channel discovery will be built-in with a carousel-like UI for cycling through different brands and individuals worth checking out.

As a subscriber, you will be kept in the loop with timely updates on deals, news, events, or whatever the channel owner chooses to share. In that way, it works a bit like Facebook Pages. “Commenting” and “Liking” were also mentioned and channel owners have the option of engaging in one-to-one conversations with followers. Analytics are built-in as well, allowing you to “assess and monitor follower engagement and interaction.”

The quasi-social network approach seems like an odd move for BlackBerry, but it’s still nice to see the company trying something new. It might not overthrow the likes of Facebook and Twitter, but we could see people using it, at least the small number of BB users still out there.

BBM Channels is currently available as a beta for BlackBerry 10 smartphones like the Z10 and Q10, along with BB phones running anything from Blackberry 5 to 7.1. The application can be downloaded for free on the BlackBerry Beta Zone.

Andrew Kalinchuk
Andrew covers news and opinions pertaining to smartphones, tablets, and all else mobile for Digital Trends. He recently…
BlackBerry rises from the grave: New 5G phone with a keyboard coming in 2021
BlackBerry Key2. Credits: BlackBerry official.

BlackBerry is the smartphone brand that steadfastly refuses to die. The presumed-dead name has been resurrected once again, this time by a new company called OnwardMobility. It will work with manufacturer FIH Mobile to create and sell a 5G BlackBerry Android phone with a physical keyboard, ready for a potential release in the U.S. and Europe during the first half of 2021.

You read that right: A new BlackBerry phone with a physical keyboard and 5G, running Google’s Android software, is coming next year. TCL Communications was the last company to produce BlackBerry smartphones. It did so under license from BlackBerry Ltd., which continues to provide mobile security services, but isn’t in the hardware business anymore. TCL let its license lapse in February 2020 when modern, Android-based BlackBerry phones became a thing of the past. Until now.

Read more
Act fast and save $400 on the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar in Carbon Gray.

We're getting to the point where it is more and more affordable to get one of the best smartwatches or fitness trackers. The tech has been around for quite some time and we're even to the point where some government officials are wanting everyone to have a health tracker. So, I shouldn't be too surprised to see this deal on the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar at its lowest price on Amazon, ever, but I am a little bit. I just covered the gray and orange version getting a $250 discount a few months ago and here I am, looking at a different color with a $400 discount. Right now you can get the 47mm, Carbon Gray colored, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar for just $500, a very decent drop from its usual $900, by tapping the button below. If you want, however, keep on reading to get a reminder on just how great this smartwatch is.

$500 at Amazon

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorder deals plus $50 credit
The back of the Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung Galaxy phones have entered their lucky number 7 era. We've got the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE all coming out later this month. And, if you pre-order now, you can yours by July 25th. Plus, if you pre-order after tapping the button you will receive an additional $50 credit in addition to all other pre-order discounts. This is the strongest pre-order offer available, so be sure to take advantage of it. Tap the button now and start making your selections. Just note that after you hit the button you'll only have 30 minutes to get the $50 credit. As a result, we recommend clicking now and then following along with the pre-order advice guide.

Preorder now

Read more