RIM outs BlackBerry Messenger 6 with in-app chat
updated 08:30 am EDT, Thu July 28, 2011
RIM ships BBM 6 with tight chat integration
RIM gave BlackBerry owners a unique leap Thursday with the official launch of BlackBerry Messenger 6 (App World). The new update brings in the BBM Social Platform and lets the instant messaging weave into "connected" apps. Users can not only share content out through BBM but invite people in, such as for a multiplayer game. Optimized apps can allow live BBM chats without having to leave the app.
Taking a cue from Xbox Live and Apple's Game Center, a user's BBM profile also now serves as a record of any activity from apps, including status updates for basic titles as well as achievements and trophies. BBM-aware apps are linked to users' profiles and serve as a possible way to discover apps through friends.
Running BBM 6 needs a phone running at least BlackBerry 4.5 or later. BlackBerry Bridge support for the PlayBook may keep working, though the app integration features are limited to phones for now. Apps that fold in BBM so far include Foursquare, Poynt, Score Mobile, and several others.
