BlackBerry BBM Integrated With Facebook, Twitter And More

The BlackBerry BBM service will be integrated with Twitter and Facebook, RIM has announced, allowing users of the encrypted IM system to quickly share tweets or Facebook status updates directly from the app. The new social networking integration is part of RIM's enhancement of BBM connected apps set to roll out over the next two weeks, with new versions of BlackBerry Travel, BlackBerry App World and BBM Music all hooking into the service.

In the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v3.0 app and Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones v3.0, there's a new "Share with BBM" button, while in BlackBerry Travel v2.5 it's possible to share upcoming flights and other travel arrangements via IM. BBM Music, meanwhile, pulls in recommended contacts directly into the app, broadening the possible range of tracks from others you can listen to and comment on.

Finally, BlackBerry App World allows users to share their latest download via BBM. It also supports NFC – for phones with the BlackBerry Tag technology – to make sharing an app between devices more straightforward.

A new version of BlackBerry Messenger itself, v6.2, now gets animated avatars, along with BlackBerry Tag integration. It also promises faster voice notes transfer and a more straightforward way to update a profile message.

The updated Twitter app is available to download now. The other apps – Facebook, Travel, App World and BBM Music, along with BBM version 6.2 – will arrive over the coming ten days.