BlackBerry Messenger v6.0.0.73 now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone

By Bla1ze on 26 Apr 2011 06:26 pm

If you're already a member of the BlackBerry Beta Zone then you'll likely want to sign in to see if you have BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 as an available download option. You will of course need to sign up and agree to the terms of use but in return you get a fresh, new release of BlackBerry Messenger. v6.0.0.73 if you need the exact details. This time around, RIM has also included a change log for us all to make use of so, check it out below:

You may not notice very many visible changes between BBM 5.0 and BBM 6.0 at this time, but stay tuned! For now, here are a few new things you might notice in this version:

Updated BBM branding
More "snappy" and responsive feel
Visual distinction of message drafts vs. sent messages
Any alerts set for SMS contacts are now preserved in BBM once an SMS contact is integrated with BBM
Invite a Text Messaging Contact -- it's now easier to search contacts
Location Search -- you can now search for a location before sending, similar to the Location Search experience via SMS
Location Sending -- you can now detect your location with cell tower triangulation or GPS
Appointment Sending -- sending appointment or calendar events is now a similar experience to that of sending an appointment via SMS

Again, no visual changes really but we'll take it. Also, although it's not noted in the change log -- we'd be surprised if there wasn't some stuff built in there for the PlayBook as well but that of course is just speculation.

More information / Join the BlackBerry Beta Zone

Topics: BBM BlackBerry Beta Zone News & Rumors

Bla1ze 2969 (articles) 6544 (forum posts)

76 comments

jSkiLLzZz Apr 26, 2011 at 6:34 pm

sick

nomi1978 Apr 26, 2011 at 6:37 pm

I was thinking about this on my drive home, that BBM 6 was supposed to launch in May and that is more than likely when we would get BBM through the bridge and now this gets posted. I got beat to it.

But I think there is a separate piece that would need to come down in the software for the playbook. Hope it comes soon.

Maiev Apr 26, 2011 at 6:37 pm

I was really hoping it supports BB PlayBook Bridge :<

/keep waiting! I know RIM makes awesome app, just gotta give em time to bake it.

jenks5150 Apr 26, 2011 at 6:43 pm

Nice, downloading it now - hope it irons out a few things

billybobjones Apr 26, 2011 at 6:49 pm

no support in my country for beta zone :(

mckillio Apr 26, 2011 at 7:23 pm

Change your country then.

Monsieur Apr 27, 2011 at 7:54 am

ha ha :-D

Oncastillo Apr 26, 2011 at 6:51 pm

Awesome downloading now!!!!!!!

aris20 Apr 26, 2011 at 6:52 pm

Hoping that this one is better than the Old 6.0.0.56 (It had way too many bugs) Downloading now !!!

dadymon Apr 26, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Cool! Gonna give it a shot. Busy at beta zone!

feldmen01 Apr 26, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Downloaded it a while ago. Seems stable. No big differences as they said. Good overall

luqman24 Apr 26, 2011 at 6:58 pm

havent noticed anything different except for the abbreviation BBM.

Jimcmf Apr 26, 2011 at 6:59 pm

This new format is awesome! Im lovin it !

ridesno159 Apr 26, 2011 at 7:08 pm

WTF! My Beta Zone still shows 5.0..3.13?!?!?!?

17.michal Apr 26, 2011 at 7:23 pm

its a separate new program...the 5.0.3.13 program ended...

linuxdaemon Apr 26, 2011 at 7:23 pm

You have to go to "My Programs" and opt-in to Blackberry Messenger 6. It isn't just an upgrade to the BBM5 beta.

Technerd.McLeod Apr 26, 2011 at 7:25 pm

You have to join the BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 beta program. You are still in the BBM 5.0 beta program. It is a new one, not just under the same one. Hope I helped you get it! :)

ridesno159 Apr 26, 2011 at 7:39 pm

Perfect! Guess I just didn't scroll down far enough, stupid me... Thank You to all of the above :)

SpiritsFade Apr 26, 2011 at 7:15 pm

Tour 9630 5.0.0.975

When I open BBM messages, there's a brief lag when bringing up the window. That was not there when I had 5.0.3.13

Not too happy but I'll keep it to stay current

theonecid Apr 26, 2011 at 8:48 pm

I don't think it's a bug but rather looks like a feature lol. Looks like a smooth transition or something kinda like OS 6.0

Nickmf Apr 26, 2011 at 7:17 pm

When you check for updates for the bridge app on your BB it no longer tells you that you need to update your bbm in order for bridge to work properly.
All we need is for it to be pushed to the PlayBook and were ready to go!

Phil DeLong Apr 26, 2011 at 7:18 pm

I notice absolutely no difference other than it now says "Invite to BBM"

RevyRah Apr 27, 2011 at 4:25 pm

There are definitely some visual improvements made. You can see some on the icons in a few areas. Groups, Recent updates (you'll see colored icons for changed pics, etc..), and the responsiveness to this version is incredible..Dare I say, it's perfect response. No lag at all. I believe it will also allow me to send files twice the prior 5 mb limit.

This is indeed improved.

adammcewen Apr 26, 2011 at 7:18 pm

careful if you had the leaked .56. i had that and got a null pointer exception error after installing this. reload here i come lol.

thpsrulr Apr 26, 2011 at 7:24 pm

Sweet! I am downloading now too!

Technerd.McLeod Apr 26, 2011 at 7:27 pm

Joined 6.0 Beta.
Deleted my current 6.0 version and currently rebooting.
Downloading/installing after reboot.

There's probably not going to much of a difference from .56, but oh well.. It's still newer.

theage Apr 26, 2011 at 7:48 pm

no bridge yet. hopefully in a future update!!

MousePad Apr 26, 2011 at 8:30 pm

I think the Bridge update will come from the Playbook side... Not much use waiting for it on the phone devices..

Noobie101 Apr 26, 2011 at 7:52 pm

chat bar and smiley icon is HUGE!!!! i hate it!!.

RD9700 Apr 26, 2011 at 7:53 pm

So far it's been working quite well. It is a bit 'snappier'! I'm running a 9700 with official OS6 from Rogers. Hopefully this update will help integrate BBM into the Playbook!

cbrunton1 Apr 26, 2011 at 8:02 pm

inside the chat window itself there is changes. Smiley button is bigger, for me the conversations for the style bubbles is improved, ie they actually look like chat bubbles now. If you start typing a message and exit without finishing what your typing that bbm chat has a green box beside it, the same one that would appear if you created a draft text/email.

theKHMERboy Apr 27, 2011 at 12:38 am

yeah i just notice that to thanks for the tip lol and yeah the i notice the smiley button and where u type your message and invite contact its a bit of change but nothing to much

Cula Apr 26, 2011 at 8:15 pm

Wow, just last night i was up till 4am, wiping my device because the leaked .56 crashed it :D

This one works nice, a little snappier, as reported, but the actual highlight is, it fixed the battery cover for me!!! :o

murd395 Apr 26, 2011 at 8:25 pm

The .56 leak has more new features than this one. In .56 there is no limit on file size for sending files. You can also customize contacts bubble color. Overall .73 seems closer to bbm5 than .56

joeberrymomma Apr 26, 2011 at 10:01 pm

Yeah, I recall seeing screen shots of BBM 6. The UI looked nicer and where is that girl in the contact list? LOL!
Sounds like this release, while not as flashy as .56 is more stable...that is what I am reading. I did not install the leak though.

murd395 Apr 26, 2011 at 11:43 pm

The only downside I've seen in .56 is you can't send a file from its respective application folder, u have to go thru the chat to send anything. Other than that I don't see why everyone says its unstable.

jdragione Apr 26, 2011 at 8:40 pm

no more D/R for delivered and read in the message list ... you have to actually click into the chat to see it.

mssca Apr 26, 2011 at 8:50 pm

Then I will wait... I have the link on my Beta Zone, but if it has D/R issue then, I will wait.. Other users have the same problem????

_winners Apr 26, 2011 at 9:01 pm

I have the D/R in my message list. Don't have that issue...

acrogenesis Apr 26, 2011 at 9:03 pm

no it works perfectly for me i can see de d/r in my messages and bbm without cliking it

thpsrulr Apr 26, 2011 at 9:12 pm

I have the D/R on mine.

mssca Apr 26, 2011 at 9:47 pm

Just loaded up and sent some BBMs and yep... I have D/R on mine as well.

raven6870 Apr 27, 2011 at 9:01 pm

Do u have ur Contact List Style set to 1 or 2 lines? With 1 line it doesn't show, with 2 lines it does

mssca Apr 26, 2011 at 8:58 pm

We need a new discussion item in the forms... someone please add it quick!!!

stitch69 Apr 26, 2011 at 8:58 pm

FINALLY!!! xD

Innerchild Apr 26, 2011 at 9:08 pm

What is the file size of the beta BBM?

Dealz417 Apr 26, 2011 at 9:39 pm

3.9MB

JBezeau Apr 26, 2011 at 9:44 pm

more like 5.5 not a 6.0, pretty lackluster

con4n007 Apr 26, 2011 at 9:46 pm

The location feature is cool :)

joeberrymomma Apr 26, 2011 at 9:58 pm

See the ability to send location (like in SMS), and BB Contact, but not an appointment. Not in the send menu?
Everything else is pretty much the same as version 5.

adam5150 Apr 26, 2011 at 10:00 pm

No option to change message like leaked 56

adam5150 Apr 26, 2011 at 10:03 pm

Sorry bout that meant to say you can distinct contacts by color like leaked 56

mssca Apr 26, 2011 at 10:09 pm

So, I can't change the colour on this version of the beta?

Jimcmf Apr 26, 2011 at 10:09 pm

When QNX is installed on the NEW BlackBerrys at the end of this year, EVERYONE scrap their current phone and rush out to get one.

I hear that it is out of this world, and will dominate the super smart phone market.

You will be able to unlock your car door and start the engine....., a button linked to your garage door to close and open it. You can even enter through the lobby security doors in the newer condo units with a push of a button.

And not to forget .... pay for all of your purchases with a wave of your phone. If you saw the road map,for RIM it will blow your mind!

gbsn Apr 26, 2011 at 11:10 pm

Right... except that QNX is not coming on phones until late 2012~early 2013.

Late 2011 was an ETA for OS 6.1, not QNX.

sieuboon Apr 26, 2011 at 10:28 pm

Can't post the stupid keycode....help? tried clicking middle button but it doesnt work either

mssca Apr 26, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Wired... mine work even without hitting the touch pad... by middle button, you mean the touch pad right?

Did you try using the BB key and simply clicking paste?

Jamma3 Apr 27, 2011 at 9:00 am

I had the same problem so I copied just the keycode from my web email on my computer not the BB(email RIM send)then paste it into a new email and email to an email account on your BB.
I then copied the keycode from that email and pasted it into the keycode section and it worked.

Good luck

Irish_711 Apr 26, 2011 at 11:30 pm

FancyChar is missing it's BBM icons.

Darlaten Apr 26, 2011 at 11:36 pm

How long does it typically take for something to move from the beta into the normal realm? Or can this significantly vary too much to even hazard a guess?

Wessel88 Apr 27, 2011 at 5:20 am

I can't download it.

- I am a beta tester
- Running os 6.0.0.534 official from Bell
- I can subscribe for this beta program on my phone.
- I use bb's webkit browser.

But when I want to actually download bbm 6 on my phone, it says:

"Please download OTA (over-the-air) only by navigating to the download page from your BlackBerry device."

It says I'm not OTA.. but I am actually..
I can download facebook 2.0..

Anyone Ideas?

ksean007 Apr 27, 2011 at 6:12 am

when i tried downloading the new messenger 6.0.0.73 it gets all the way to the end and then stops and says error 907 COD error message has anyone else received the same error code? thanks.

Monsieur Apr 27, 2011 at 12:45 pm

I have that very same problem also. i don't know what to do. i have even tried deleting the old bbm off before doing this install but when it gets to the very end i get that silly error.

Monsieur Apr 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm

oh i got it to work. i didn't delete everything. after doing so i tried again and it finished installing all the way

Solja Apr 27, 2011 at 6:27 am

The icons are, well a little pixelated?

scaramanga89 Apr 27, 2011 at 7:02 am

This is a nice improvement visually. Add in the names of contacts and the bubbles are much nicer. a definite improvement.

abdul Apr 27, 2011 at 9:22 am

Unfortuntly this update is only for OS 5.0 and higher.

kishanthj Apr 27, 2011 at 10:38 am

The following are what I found appealing...
1) UI is nice
2) Vibrant colors for BBM groups
3) send location is nice
4) "BBM" abbreviation used
5) added regular contacts in BBM

Only 1 question for that, does that make texts free?????

Overall, a big improvement. 2 thumbs up

sreidenb Apr 27, 2011 at 2:30 pm

In this new version, it says that for a text message contact it will now only notify you through BBM and not through the messages folder, if linked with BBM, is this true? I tried for my contacts that don't have blackberry, and it still notifies me through both, quite annoying.

raven6870 Apr 27, 2011 at 9:05 pm

Option under Miscellaneous heading, "Show texts from contacts linked with blackberry contacts" try n see if that is checked if u don't want it in both