Blackberry adds Snapchat like self destructed massage to BBM

Smartphone maker BlackBerry has introduced new privacy and control features for its messaging app BBM, allowing users to delete messages from chats and share pictures for short duration of time.

At the core of the BBM experience is privacy and control, the Waterloo-based smartphone maker says. These two notions "are more important today than ever before as people are looking for simple ways to help guard against their messages getting into the wrong hands or being seen by anyone other than the intended recipient," according to the Canadian company. Features introduced include:

• Timed Messages: By setting a timer you can control how long messages and pictures you share with contacts can be viewed within BBM. The message is hidden until the recipient touches and holds on the chat. Then, once the timer has expired (or if the recipient takes their finger off the screen), the message is no longer visible. The user also receives a notification if BBM detects that the recipient has taken a screenshot of the image or message.
• Message Retraction: Users can now retract their message to remove it from their BBM chat before it has been read by the recipient or after it has been read so that it is no longer visible within the BBM chat.
• High Quality Image Transfer: When a user receives a picture in BBM, they can quickly request an HD version to enjoy the image in full detail.
• Faster Sticker Selection: It is now easier for users to browse BBM Stickers and quickly add them to their chats.
• Discover New Music: See what music BBM contacts are listening to and show others what songs you're playing. iPhone users can tap the song and be taken to iTunes for a quick and seamless purchase.

"These new enhancements to BBM were highly requested so we're excited to be delivering them to users today," BlackBerry president Global Enterprise Services John Sims said.

These capabilities will allow users to be more creative in how they deliver their messages while also being confident that their content is kept private and seen only by its intended recipient, he added. 

The new features will be coming to the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry versions of the BBM app over the next 24 hours.