Which is Best WhatsApp Vs BBM

BBM,referred as the black berry messenger. BBM is in use since a very long time but only to the black berry users.But today, BBM has crossed its limitations and  unveiled itself to rival WhatsApp. Now the application came to handy to all android systems and also iOS.

Now many of us may be wondering if Whatsapp for laptop can keep up its market with the following or BBM will cross it? After all more than 10 million downloads within 24 hours of BBM being launched for non-BlackBerry handsets cannot be ignored.

Now the questions is, which is better? Whatsapp or BBM ?

This Article will explain some Advantages and disadvantages between BBM and Whatsapp.
Just read all the Differeces between them and finally vote for your Best at end of article.

BBM vs Whatsapp in following Features

1.Installation                                                             2.Management of Contacts.
3.Chat                                                                      4.Group Chats
5.Voice messaging and Video Chatting                            6.File Sharing
7.Status and Profile                                                     8.Price
9.Additional Features                                                  10.Inviting friends

1.Installation:

To create an account in Whatsapp, it needs your sim card and phone number, as the account is registered with your phone number, while BBM uses alpha-numeric keys called pins. The process with whatsapp is easy as you don’t have to remember passwords while shifting to a new device. It just sends a verification SMS to your number and the app scans it.

For friends whose numbers you already have in your contacts, this works  well — WhatsApp automatically tells them you are on WhatsApp too. On the other side,this means you have to give out your phone number to add a new friend. Also, you must remove your SIM card into a new device when switching to set up WhatsApp. This can be a problem if you are using a secondary phone or temporary SIM.       

        

Installation in Whatsapp:

Installiation in  BBM:

BBM’s set-up doesn’t ask your number. Unlike WhatsApp, you have to start building up your BBM contact list from scratch. But while switching devices, you can back up your contact list to the cloud and then remotely restore it on a new device.

2.Management of contacts:

• In whatsapp, if you have to add someone, you need their number in your contacts, otherwise they are not displayed. This means, you don’t get to choose who you want on your WhatsApp contact list — a reason for many users to stay away from this service.
• However whatsapp has the blocking system, through which you can block someone you don’t want to talk to. BBM has the same blocking system.
• Of course, since the contact you decide to block has your phone number, a quick follow up on the other side over SMS or even voice calling is likely. But WhatsApp does have a way to mark contacts as favourites for easy access — a feature missing from BBM.
• Where on the other hand, bbm doesn’t need anyone’s phone number to add them, but just the BBM code of the other person.
• Both the apps offer group chats, but BBM being the better one in this feature as it has classifications.

As you can see, in the above picture, this is how contacts are stored in BBM messenger.

3.Chat:

The basic point of both the apps is chatting and text exchanging.Both provide typing and delivery reports but in different ways.Must Check: Protect Whatsapp with Password

• Whatsapp shows one tick by sending and two ticks to represent that the message has been sent. BBM, on the other hand, ticks off when your message is sent to the server, a ‘D’ mark when it is delivered to the receiver and an ‘R’ when the receiver has seen it.
• Whatsapp shows the last seen time stamps of the one you are talking to, but BBM doesn’t have this feature.
• BBM also has a few extra features. Conversations can be copy pasted elsewhere and emailed.

4.Group chats:

Both the apps support group chats. Whatsapp allows the user to share images,audio,video,location and contacts. BBM allows image sharing but none of the others in group chat. this may be a drawback in bbm. However,BBM makes up for the discrepancy with shared to-do lists and events, plus  BBM can also host multiple separate conversations which is great for larger groups.

The real use for group chat on BBM are the channels. These allow users to anonymously subscribe to channels that broadcast all kinds of content.

5.Voice messaging and video chatting:

• Both WhatsApp and BBM support the sending of audio recordings recorded directly from the device. BBM’s voice recording system is really fantastic with its quality and time.
• Though you can share video files  on WhatsApp, there’s no live video chat. Again, BBM wins with stable video chat, and the newer addition of screen sharing.
• Android and iOS users should keep in mind that setting up BBM is free, but in order to have access to these additional features, they will have to pay a small fee.

6.File sharing:

WhatsApp only shares pictures and video files, while BBM allows users to swap any file type. Both platforms can send contacts and location, too. BBM also allows groups of people to share images, but no other file type.

7.Status and profile:

Both the apps support status updates and profile pictures. BBM has an additional feature on status updates like you can update to which music you are listening to and also how you are feeling the day.

In the above picture we can see the status updates in BBM.

8.Price:

Whatsapp is free for one year period of time. later it costs 0.99cents per year. Where BBM is free for life time once installed. However the android and IOS users have to pay for the additional features.

9.Additional features:

Whatsapp supports direct call from contacts and BBM supports the “pinging” feature.

Emoticons: Whatsapp has as many as 189 emoticons featured in the app. however BBM cannot cross the number.

10. Inviting friends:

In Whatsapp we can invite our friends by SMS, Facebook, Hangouts, Google+, Email, LinkedIn or Skype and in BBM by SMS, email, NFC, PIN or QR Code Scan.

The above 10 are the possible points of comparison between Whatsapp and BBM and having some more also.!!

Bottom Line:

Both the messengers have both flaws and advantages on their side.As most of the people as of now are very comfortable with Whatsapp, its a challenge to BBM to win their hearts and shift the medium to BBM from Whatsapp.

How to Spy on BBM Messages

Just when we thought that BlackBerry was dead and gone, or perhaps on its last breath, the BlackBerry Corporation (formerly known as Research In Motion) released a new series of handsets at the beginning of the year with the latest version of their OS the BlackBerry 10 OS. As soon as the set was released the initial worldwide reception was enough to get just about any BlackBerry critic to admit the comeback.

So BlackBerry sets are being seen sported around again which consequently means that the company’s legendary BlackBerry Messenger service is kicking and roaring back into action. The service is an in platform messaging software which allows individuals who use the BlackBerry platform to communicate with each other through messages without incurring any extra data plan or package fee. If someone close to you owns a BlackBerry then you will be only too familiar with this service and might also get the itch to read the messages that are being exchanged. Whether you are a concerned parent or suspicious spouse, to know what’s happening in their life, you must know how to access their BBM messages. Here is how to go about it.

1. Look For BBM Spy Software: In order to get into their BBM messages, you will need the help of specially designed software that can retrieve the desired data. However, there is a dearth of good programs that will specifically target the messaging service. Many apps will allow you to access phone conversations or call logs but not the actual messages exchanged in BBM chat. So when looking for software to use, make sure it specifies itself as a Blackberry Spy app.

2. Evaluate the Options: Once you find software that can access BBM messages, pick one that suits your needs the best. If you are unable to figure out any at all, then there is one of my favorite apps for starters that you can try. mSpy is a good option that solves many problems when it comes to spying. With this one you can access BBM conversations, emails, texts and even ongoing phone calls. Additional features of mSpy include recording videos, photos, YouTube activity, iMessages, contacts, phone call info and much more. but not live calls. This app will allow the user to monitor the target BlackBerry remotely. With mSpy you can access the recorded data from an online dashboard from any web browser across the globe. Download mSpy from the link below:

3. Download and Install: Once you have decided on BBM spy software, you need to purchase it. In order for it to work it needs to be accessed from the target’s phone. That means you must physically retrieve the BlackBerry you wish to monitor and access the Internet. Stealth would be required on your side of course. After that you proceed to downloading it from the source site. Once download is complete, begin the installation process. Once the notification of installation completion appears, you can be sure that the spy software is successfully in place. Simply wait for conversations to take place and then monitor them!

5 BBM Channels Tips & Tricks

With BBM Channels now available for all BBM users on BlackBerry, iOS and Android, it would be nice to take a look at the best ways to managed your BBM Channels experience. I’m a big BBM Channels user and with an increase in channels, as well as subscribers since going multi-platform, I would like to share some tips and tricks with you to get more from your experience. Here are five tips for you.

Make use of the Favorites feature

The ability to favorite BBM Channels as been there for a while. It meant that you could be notified (in the activity section) of when your favorite BBM Channel made an update. In the latest version of BBM it brought BBM Channel notifications to the Hub. You can be notified in the Hub when someone comments on your own posts or when someone replies to a comment you have made. Notifications will also arrive in the Hub for any BBM Channel you have marked as favorite. So, if there are any BBM Channels you want to be able to see an update on straight away, mark it as favorite and you’ll be notified as soon as they add a new post.

For Android and iOS users, when a favorite channel posts an updated, you will see the notification in theLatest Activity tab within BBM Channels.

To mark channel as favorite go to your Subscribed Channels list, tap and hold the channel and then tap the Star icon.

Make use of URL shorteners

If you’re a channel owner, make use of URL shorteners to make more space for you to write things. While 400 characters may be enough some of the time, there may be times you want to write that bit more and if you’re also going to include a link, using a URL shortener will save you some space. There are many free services available like Bitly, TinyURL, even Google has URL shortening service.

Use the reply feature

It’s not always apparent to people, especially new users but you can reply directly to a comment. While it isn’t a threaded system, i.e. you can't reply to a reply, you can still reply to the original comment that was replied to and all parties will be notified. So, make use of the reply feature if you want them to see it, otherwise it will go by unnoticed.

To reply to a comment, just tap the comment and then tap the arrow icon that pops up. Only first thread comments can be replied to but you can keep replying to that first thread comment to reply to comments already made and all concerned will be notified of that reply.

  

Specify Chat Hours

If you’re a BBM Channel owner and you don’t mind opening up your chat, make use of the business hours feature. Always open chat is nice this means all hours of the chat you can be contacted, it may not be a big deal but I’ve experienced a time when someone has contacted me via chat while I’m asleep and because I didn’t answer straightaway was subject to unpleasantries. Others may understand that people work in different time zones but specifying hours of chat makes things clearer. I especially recommend this for any businesses.

Engage with other BBM Channelers

A BBM Channel is like a small community. You’re subscribed to channels because you like what you see or because it’s a topic, brand or business you’re interested in. Like posts if you enjoy them. Comment on them too. If you’re a BBM Channel owner, perhaps pop a question or two in your post to gain feedback.

Don’t spam

I've thrown in this one as a bonus. Too often, people just end up posting their BBM or Channel PIN on posts. We have a forum dedicated to sharing PINs with others. Please respect other BBM Channel users by not spamming. You’ll find that every week, most Channel owners hold a Channel PIN share day anyway, so make use of those times, otherwise, check out our forums and share your Channel PINs there.

There is a block/report option available to use for the times there is uncalled for behavior. It’s available for both subscribers and users alike. I’d rather not have to use it but know that the option is there for you to use. You can also block users entirely.

Now, go enjoy BBM Channels. If you’d like to follow any of Team CrackBerry you can check out our Channel PINs here. Head into the forums and share your Channel PINs too.

Top 5 tips to make the most out of BBM for iPhone

Although BlackBerry made a very late entry in the cross-platform messaging apps race, a lot of iPhone and Android users (over 20 million) seem to be using BBM to communicate.

Here are a few BBM tips to help you make the most of the BBM app for iPhone.

Quickly see your PIN

Unlike other messengers, BBM uses an alphanumeric PIN as your username rather than your phone number or email. It’s quite difficult to remember this PIN, but you can quickly access it by tapping your profile picture on the top-left of the screen to head to your profile page. Here you’ll not only see your BBM PIN, but even an option to copy it so that you send it to your friends. You can also tap on the “Show Barcode” button at the bottom to quickly share your BBM PIN

Add a status message

Just like every other social network and messaging app, BBM too lets you set a custom status to let your friends know what you’re up to. To set a custom status, open the BBM app, tap on your profile picture at the top-left, go to “Status” and tap on the “Add Status Message” field to enter your status.

Change the contacts view layout

The Contacts tab in BBM shows you all your added contacts in either a list view or a grid layout. You can set your preferred layout by tapping the the “︙” button in the tab bar > Settings > Contacts Layout and select Grid or List.

Hide the keyboard Action Bar

BBM has a quick access “Action Bar” with shortcuts to attach media, add emojis etc while chatting. If you don’t need this bar, you can disable it by tapping the “︙” button in the tab bar > Settings > and turn off “Show Action Bar With Keyboard.”

Hide selective Updates

If you want to disable updates from a certain contact, go to the Updates view and press and hold an update from that contact. Tap the hide button at the bottom of the menu on the right, and you’ll no longer see updates from that contact

BlackBerry 10 BBM Tips

BlackBerry Messenger gets redesigned on the new BlackBerry 10 smartphones. Along introducing BBM Video, Screen share & much more to the app there are many hidden core features that helps you getting things done faster than ever! Here are very few of many operations cherry-picked by Ty Williams from Inside BlackBerry.

1. BBM Instant Action

The next time you need to send someone a BBM message on your BlackBerry Q10, try using Instant Action to hop into a conversation with a specific contact quickly.

From the home screen, all you need to do is type ‘BBM’ followed by the name of the contact you’d like to message, e.g. bbm Ty. After doing this, tap the contact when they appear and you’ll be brought into a conversation window so you can start chatting.

If you’re using a BlackBerry Z10 with BlackBerry OS 10.1 you can use Instant Action too! Just tap the search icon along the bottom of the home screen followed by entering bbm <contact name>.

2. List or Grid? You decide

By default, BBM contacts are displayed in a grid layout but you can optionally switch to a list layout. Personally I love the grid view because all my contacts frequently update their display pictures and some of them are really interesting and eye-catching.

If you’d like to try out each view however, open BBM and swipe down from the top of the screen. Then, tapSettings followed by changing Contacts Layout to Grid or List.

3. Request High Quality Pictures

The next time someone sends you a picture over BBM, if you’d like to get a higher quality version of the picture all you need to do is tap and hold the image followed by tapping HQ on the menu that appears on the right. After doing this, the person who sent you the picture can choose to send you a higher quality version or optionally say no to the request.

Keep in mind, requesting and sending higher quality images will use a bit more data than a regular picture, so I’d recommend using this feature when you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot.

     

Tip: To save a picture someone sends you using BBM, tap and hold the image followed by selecting Save Image from the menu that appears on the right.

 4. BBM Music Updates

If you want to show what song you’re listening to while using the Music app, open BBM and swipe down from the top of the screen. Then, tap Settings followed by changing the “Show What I’m Listening To” switch to On.

If you do not want to see music status updates from your contacts in your BBM Updates listing, you can turn this feature off by opening the Settings screen and changing Music Status Updates to Off.

5. Link Contacts

After you’ve set up all your various accounts, you’ll notice that the same person, if they appear in multiple accounts, will be automatically merged together. If a contact with multiple entries doesn’t merge, you can manually link them together using the following tip:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Tap and hold a contact you’d like to link together, e.g. Ty
3. Tap Select More
4. Tap the other contact you’d like to link, e.g. Ty Williams
5. Tap Link Contact from the menu

     

Tips & Tricks for BlackBerry Messenger

The success of BlackBerry Messenger on Android after a couple of weeks is unquestionable, however there are still many users who find it somewhat confusing, as the app has some settings that are not intuitive. The first time you open the app you might be confused by the layout if you are used to Android design principles. It's actually not too difficult to get your head around, but it is a little clumsy. For all of those a little stumped by using a BlackBerry app on the Android platform, we've prepared an article with some tips and tricks that will be quite useful when it comes to getting the most out of the BBM app for Android.

Not the easiest messaging app to get your way around. Until now. / © BlackBerry

In BBM, you basically have three central tabs: Chats, Contacts and Groups. At the top there is the name banner with profile picture and on either side of the three main screens, you have context menus that slide out like the navigation drawer in Android. The left screen provides shortcuts to sections of the app and the right screen is basically a settings/action menu. These can either be accessed by swiping when you are either on the end screen or by pressing the corresponding button in the bottom left or right hand corners. The confusing part is that these buttons change their contents depending on whether you're in a chat or on the main part of the app.

The PIN

One of the most remarkable features of this messenger is that it is not based on a telephone number in the way Line or WhatsApp are. Each user, after completing the registration procedure, is assigned a private PIN that is used to contact other users – in this way, anyone with your phone number can't just start spamming you with messages: you have to share your PIN first. But where is it? Finding this number is essential if you want to work with BlackBerry Messenger, but despite being simple, locating it is not very intuitive.

Access your profile to find your PIN, copy it or see your barcode. / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

To locate this fundamental piece of information you simply need to click on your avatar (your profile picture) or your name in the banner at the top of the BBM app. This rather unintuitive action will open your account profile screen with your details, QR code and updates about your profile activity, including your PIN. In addition, you do not have to memorize it or write it down on a scrap of paper because the application offers the option to copy the PIN right from your profile page, so you can get busy inviting your friends to BBM.

Edit your Status

As in other instant messaging apps, you can also modify and change your visible status. This option is accessed in the same place as your PIN. You can create your own custom status messages or simply indicate if we are available or busy. The available options will appear in a drop-down list under ''Status''. In the beginning you'll only see ''Available'' or ''Busy'' but it only takes a second to spice up your options. You can even add emoticons.

Jazz up the default status options. / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

Hide the Action Bar

Surely this should be the other way around, but BBM comes, by default, with an obtrusive action bar on top of your keyboard. Unless you spend half your time inviting others to join your chats or attaching things, it's a massive waste of space. As you can see, I have SwiftKey installed on my phone which already has a suggestions action bar on top of the keyboard, so adding the BBM action bar on top means I can hardly see any of the chat.

Get more screen space by hiding the Action Bar. / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

Fortunately, this action bar can easily be uninstalled. From the main app window (not inside an actual chat), just tap the action overflow button in the bottom right hand corner (the three dots on top on each other), tap on Settings and then scroll down to the Chat section, where you'll find a slider switch for ''Show Action Bar with Keyboard'' – you'll want to switch this off.

Add contacts

As mentioned above, in BlackBerry Messenger contacts are added by sharing a PIN, but there are also some other options to do via other means. In any of the main windows, tapping the action overflow menu button will bring up a list of options including ''Invite to BBM''. Tapping this option will bring up a range of options, including a QR scan code, email, SMS and NFC.

BBM offers a bunch of ways to get connected. / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

You can also invite people directly from your Invites page, which is accessed via the button in the bottom left hand corner of the main app window (three bars stacked on top of each other). You can access your own barcode either from the bottom of the scanner window (which will launch your camera) or via your profile page.

Contacts view

In BlackBerry Messenger you also have the option to view your contacts in different ways. If you're not a fan of the default grid style, you can change it to a list style like WhatsApp. Just go into the Settings – the action overflow menu button – and scroll down to the Contacts section.

If you don't like the grid view, you can switch it to a list. / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

There are some other useful options in the Contacts Settings, where you can manage your blocked contacts and even add a security question to your invites to beef up the security. The general Settings provide several other useful options too, like disabling the ''BBM Connected'' icon in your notifications bar and setting the color of the BBM notification LED.

Manage your notifications

If you've got contacts who obsessively change their profile picture, or you're in the midst of a contact-adding bender, then perhaps you don't want to see every single notification. Fortunately you can manage the notifications you'll see in BBM too – for all your contacts or just one in particular.

Someone's updates getting on your nerves? Then hide them! / © AndroidPIT/BlackBerry

You can go into Settings and simply turn of all Notifications, or you can disable notifications for an individual. This is one of the most peculiar hidden settings in BBM. To get to it, you need to go into the Updates menu via the left hand menu button (the three bars). This will take you to a list of your updates. To block updates from a particular contact you have to long press an update from them (or their avatar) to bring up another context-specific menu where you will find the option for Hide Updates for that contact. Very strange placement BlackBerry, but good to know.  

These were just a few tricks to help you get your way around BBM. Do you know any other useful tips for BlackBerry Messenger on Android?

Tips & Tricks: Guide to BlackBerry Messenger

Tips & Tricks: Guide to BlackBerry Messenger

This month's tips are all about BlackBerry® Messenger. Learn how to add contacts to BBM™ by email, PIN, and barcode; start a chat; create a group; send a file; and show your BBM contacts your current location on BlackBerry Maps.

What is BlackBerry Messenger?

BBM is like text messages, but more immediate and with more things you can do. Think instant messaging, but on your BlackBerry® smartphone. You can see who is available, start chatting with friends, set up groups, get instant replies, and share files—all this from virtually any location.

BBM also outshines texting in that you can share pictures, lists, and calendar appointments with a group.

TIP 1: ADD BBM CONTACTS

Option 1: Use a PIN or email

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key.
2. Click Invite Contact.
3. Click Enter a person's email address, PIN, or name.
4. If necessary, change the Send Using field and/or Category fields.
5. Click Send.

Note: The person might remain in the Pending category until he or she responds to your invitation.

Option 2: Use barcodes

Want a quick way to add a friend to your BBM contact list? Try scanning the BBM barcode from their BlackBerry smartphone. Simply scan your friend's barcode and presto!, they are added to your BlackBerry Messenger contact list.

Find your barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Click Display My Barcode.

Scan a barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Invite Contact.
2. Click Scan a person's barcode, then click Continue.
3. Hold your smartphone so that all four corners of the barcode you are scanning appear on your device screen. Continue to hold the smartphone until you hear a beep.

TIP 2: START A CHAT

1. On the BBM contact list screen.
2. Type your message.
3. Press the Enter key.

TIP 3: CREATE A BBM GROUP

Stay connected with groups of friends, family, or co-workers by creating groups of BBM contacts.

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Create New Group.
2. Type a name for the group.
3. Type a description that people will see when they receive the invitation to the group.
4. Change the Group Icon field.
5. Perform any of the following actions:
   • To prevent members from inviting other people to the group, change the Allow non-admin members invite others field to No.
   • To prevent the group icon from appearing on the Home screen of your BlackBerry device, change theShow on Home Screen field to No.
6. Click Create Group.

TIP 4: SEND A FILE TO A CONTACT

You can send files, photos, voice notes, and contacts to your BBM contacts (requires BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 or later and may not be available for all users).

1. In BBM, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Send File.
3. Perform one of the following actions:
   • To send a picture, click Picture. Click Camera to take a new picture, or click a saved picture. Type a caption. Click Send. If necessary, select a picture size option. Click OK.
   • To send a document, click File. Click a file.
   • To send a voice note, click Voice Note. Click Start to record your message. Click Stop when you are finished recording. Click Send.
   • To send a contact an attachment of a contact from the address book, click BlackBerry Contact. Click a contact.
   • To send a contact an attachment of a BBM contact, click Messenger Contacts. Click one or more contacts. Click OK.

TIP 5: SHARE YOUR LOCATION (SO COOL)

A cool BBM feature uses GPS technology to send your location to a BBM contact, who can then see where you are on BlackBerry Maps. (This feature may not be available for all users.)

1. In BBM, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Send Location.

Your contact will now be able to see your location.

More BBM tips