BlackBerry Messenger Quick Tips: Mastering BBM Basics
RIM's BlackBerry-specific mobile IM service, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), is an easy and effective way to keep in touch with other RIM smartphone users. CIO.com's BlackBerry beat-reporter Al Sacco shares tips on getting the most from BBM.
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If there's one particular aspect of the BlackBerry platform that Research In Motion (RIM) (RIM) is heavily promoting to the masses today--besides security, RIM's true strength--it's the company's BlackBerry-specific mobile IM application, BlackBerry Messenger.
BBM sports sponsorships. Ads plastered across major cities, including the subways in Toronto and all over New York's Times Square. TV commercials. BBM is everywhere.
BBM transcends the line between "business user" and "consumer" because it's an application that brings value to businessmen and teenagers alike.And that's precisely what RIM's attempting to do with its BlackBerry platform, in general: Cater to the vast consumer masses with cool, fun features and functionality, while still meeting the often-strict needs of corporations and other security-conscious organizations.
BBM uses unique "PIN" codes associated with every BlackBerry to connect RIM smartphone owners. Currently, some 25 million BlackBerry users regularly employ BBM, according to RIM. And that number is growing every day with each new BlackBerry user.
The basic BBM functionality is incredibly simple; it works just like any other IM application. But it's the little features that really make the app. Below you'll find a handful of basic tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your BBM. And you also might want to check out my popular BBM best practices piece for advice on how to avoid common BBM pitfalls, back up and restore BBM contacts and keep your device protected from related security threats.
(Note: I'm currently using a beta version of BBM, v5.0.1.17, that's available only to BlackBerry Beta Zone members, and as such, the screen shots in this post may look slightly different than your BBM app. However, all of the basic features and functionality should be very similar if not the same, assuming you're running the latest official version of BBM--5.0.0.57 at the time of posting. Download BBM from BlackBerry App World. )
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) "My Profile"
First things first, you should customize your BBM profile options. To do so, simply open your BBM application and on the main screen, scroll all the way to the top and click your avatar-image, if you've added one, to open your My Profile options.
If you have not added an avatar yet, or you'd like to change your current image, you can do so by scrolling over the blank "dummy" avatar or your existing image, clicking it and selecting a new image that's stored somewhere on your BlackBerry smartphone. Position and/or crop the image as you see fit, save it, and you're good to go.
