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BBM Update Looks to Monetize the Service for Additional Functionality

BBM, BlackBerry Messenger, has been updated today for those of you that use it. The update offers a number of pretty useful functions, such as the ability to undo your message. Yes, that would mean that super angry message about your boss you were sending to your wife that you accidentally sent to your boss can be undone. Of course, if he already read it then it is a little to late for take backs.

Along with what they call Message Retraction, there are four other features that are worth talking about.

Timed Messages: This lets you set a time limit on how long the a message or photo can viewed by the receiving contact before it vanishes. The message or photo remains hidden until the recipient presses and holds it to view. Once the timer runs out or the receiver takes their finger away, it vanishes. (Umm, Snapchat?)

High Quality Image Transfer: When you get an image you can quickly request the HD version so you can enjoy the full res version of it

Faster Sticker Selection: It is now quicker and easier to browse the BBM Stickers to add to messages.

Discover New Music: You can see what your BBM contacts are listening to and show others what songs you are playing. iOS users can tap the song and be directed to the iTunes store to buy it. They make no mention of Android or Blackberry music purchase redirects.

Blackberry is attempting to monetize the app with in-app purchases for select functions. It isn’t a terrible idea and one that has been implemented on a number of apps. Time Messages and Message Redaction will be part of the Premium package and all users will get the first three months for free. After that, it will cost you. Although, they didn’t mention how much. On the Play Store the in-app purchasing spread is $0.99 to $2.99. I would assume the premium package will be $2.99 a month.