BlackBerry is looking for new ways to monetize its messaging service, and recent updates to BBM Beta could help the firm achieve its goal. BBM has been updated with more stickers and other features that require users to make payments on a monthly basis.
BlackBerry hoping to monetize BBM
As of now, only the beta version of the application has been updated with the new features, hinting at BlackBerry’s plans to monetize BBM, according to CrackBerry. Those having BBM beta on their BlackBerry smartphones can easily take a look at the updated version.
The update introduces the BBM Sticker Club. Adent lovers of stickers have a pretty good reason to be delighted as more than 100 exclusive sticker packs will be available to them, and few more will be added each month. In addition, the developers have confirmed improving Group Updates in Feeds, says the report. This means that the users can now view Group pictures in Feeds, and at the same time also perform multiple actions directly from the Feeds screen.
BBM beta’s latest update brings PayPal support as well. BlackBerry is testing this feature in several countries including Canada, the United States and parts of Europe and Africa. Users need to have a valid account to download the latest version of BBM Beta. The update is live now in BlackBerry Beta Zone.
BBM enjoys loyal fans
BlackBerry has been ramping up its BBM service in recent times, and its efforts are paying off. A few months back, a study revealed that BBM users are among the most loyal. The study made a comparison of popular messaging apps such as Messenger, WeChat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. BBM secured the second spot in terms of user retention.
Mobile analytics firm Quettra found that after 30 days of usage, 93% of the BBM users continued to use the service. BBM trailed only Facebook Messenger in this regard. The average thirty-day retention rate for the group was 43%. Blackberry CEO John Chen is quite optimistic about BBM, and aims to generate $100 million annually from it. Last year, Chen said he will not be selling the service even if he gets a $2 billion offer for it.
