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RIM Adds Free Voice Calling Over Wi-Fi to BlackBerry Messenger

Attention all BlackBerry users. BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is getting a sweet new feature: free voice calling over Wi-Fi networks, Research in Motion announced today.

November 14, 2012

Attention all BlackBerry users. BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is getting a sweet new feature: free voice calling over Wi-Fi networks, Research in Motion announced today.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based phone maker just released a new beta version of its popular BBM messaging service that lets users make voice calls to their BBM contacts around the world for free, as long as they have a Wi-Fi connection. With the new feature, dubbed BBM Voice, users can talk and text at the same time thanks to the split-screen functionality.

When a contact is available for a voice call, BBM will show a visual indicator. Users can initiate a BBM Voice call directly, or switch from texting to talking, and vice versa. The new feature is compatible with Bluetooth or wired headsets, as well as any other accessories a user may already have for making voice calls.

The new feature is part of BBM version 7.0, a free update that is currently available in beta for BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS version 6 or higher. It can be downloaded from BlackBerry Beta Zone. RIM also plans to support smartphones running BlackBerry OS 5 "at a future date," the company said.

"With today's announcement we're expanding the capabilities of the service for deeper social engagement and even greater collaboration, beginning with voice functionality," T.A. McCann, vice president of BBM and social communities at RIM, said in a statement. "The new BBM Voice feature is for when you're traveling and you want to call home without worrying about phone charges. It's for when you have news you can't wait to share, for quickly explaining complicated details, and collaborating with colleagues. Whenever your ideas are too big for text, there's BBM Voice."

Meanwhile, RIM's long-awaited BlackBerry 10 operating system , the company announced earlier this week. RIM will also unveil two new BlackBerry smartphones that day at simultaneous launch events around the world.