Research In Motion has launchedBlackBerry Messenger (BBM) version 7, a free update for the mobile social network, with a key new feature which will allow customers to make free voice calls to their BBM contacts around the world over a Wi-Fi connection.

It is a fast, convenient, and inexpensive way to stay connected with friends, family and colleagues, a statement from the company said.

The beta version of BBM 7 with the new BBM voice feature was made available to the public through BlackBerry beta zone.

When RIM surveyed customers who downloaded the Beta, over 80 per cent of testers said that they were likely to recommend BBM version 7.

Nearly half of BBM customers have international contacts and can benefit from free Wi-Fi calls.

“BBM began as a convenient and effective business messaging tool, and today it is an essential part of daily communications for customers around the world. Now, with BBM version 7, customers have a new option: they can text and talk with their BBM contacts near and far, for free. With the integrated experience, we extend the core features of reliable, real-time engagement to include voice calling and take BBM to the next level,” said TA McCann, vice president of BBM and social communities at RIM.

BBM 7 with BBM Voice is now available for all BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry 6 OS or higher with support planned for smartphones running the BlackBerry 5 OS early next year.

Users can also multi-task with the split-screen feature, such as check other BBM text chats, check email, or navigate to other apps while engaged on a BBM Voice call. They can start a call in an instant, and switch between texting and talking, or text and talk at the same time. They can also for example, send a picture to a contact while they are talking to them.

Users can also see when contacts are available for a voice call. Available in the final software released today, customers will see a slate of new emoticons offer them fresh, fun ways to express themselves in text chats.

BBM will also notify a customer when there is an update from within the app, and allow them to download it immediately from inside the app.

A user’s BBM profile, groups and contacts are now linked to their BBID for easy backup and restore. The data will also carry over when they move to BlackBerry 10, it said. – TradeArabia News Service