BlackBerry’s revamped instant messaging service BBM will see addition of new ‘ultra-private’ features to its list.
Currently in beta for users on Android and BlackBerry 10, the new update will debut ephemeral message timer feature as well as message retraction feature.
With the introduction of the new disappearing message timer, same like Snapchat, users will be able to control how long their messages and pictures can be viewed within BBM.
Users can set their BBM messages to expire by tapping the timer icon next to the text bar and choose a length of time ranging from 1 to 15 seconds. The message will be hidden until the recipient touches and holds on the chat. The messages will disappear once the timer expires or if the recipient takes their finger off the screen.
The second feature making it to the list is message retraction. As the name suggests the new feature will let users retract or remove a message from a BBM chat even after it has been sent. To do so, users will need to touch and hold the message they want to get rid of and select ‘retract message’ from the menu.
It is however to be noted that retractions are only possible with messages in one-on-one chats and not pictures. Furthermore, retraction doesn’t prevent the recipient from taking a screenshot of a message.
BlackBerry has confirmed the new timer and retract features will be available in the 2.5 release of BBM for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry 10 which is “coming very, very soon.”
