Sharecare has teamed up with BlackBerry to launch a new BBM channel, which can be used by those who have medical questions or seek health advice and resources. Experts will be at hand from the American Cancer Society, as well as licensed physicians and nurses.
Because the companies will be using BBM, users can remain securely connected to experts with built-in notifications for when someone interacts with a post on the channel. And since BBM is available on iOS, BlackBerry and Android smartphones, it's a portal that's worth checking out.
This announcement follows the move to incorporate BlackBerry tech into the official Sharecare experience.
Press Release
SHARECARE AND BLACKBERRY LAUNCH NEW BBM CHANNEL
Partnership to provide actionable health information to millions of BBM users
Barcelona, Spain/Waterloo, Ontario — Feb. 24, 2016 — BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Sharecare, a leading digital health and wellness engagement platform, to provide consumers with better and more secure insights into their health.
Together, the companies have launched the Sharecare BBM channel, which hosts information from experts, including health organizations and medical professionals. Experts ranging from the American Cancer Society to licensed physicians and nurses, and luminaries from Deepak Chopra to Dr. Oz can be connected to users to help them find the health answers, advice and resources that are right for them. The Sharecare BBM channel lives on a user's smartphone right in BBM for access anywhere at any time; and with notifications built into BBM, users can receive important health updates on the Sharecare channel or when someone interacts with a post on the channel.
"Beyond BlackBerry's best-in-class privacy standards, their expansive reach gets us closer to realizing our vision of becoming the de-facto digital health destination for anyone, anytime, anywhere and on any device," said Jeff Arnold, founder and CEO of Sharecare. "In particular, the Sharecare BBM channel provides us with a unique and secure avenue to provide hundreds of millions more consumers with the tips and tools they need to help them live their healthiest lives."
"Leveraging Sharecare's rich background and pedigree in the healthcare industry, we're able to provide an opportunity for consumers to access important health-related information in a safe and secure manner via BBM Protected," said Marty Beard, COO, BlackBerry. "We are addressing the privacy concerns consumers may have regarding personal health data and ensuring we're providing the solutions necessary to thwart anything that could compromise sensitive information."
BBM works on iOS, Android, and BlackBerry smartphones and is free to download. The Sharecare healthcare channel is available now via BBM Channels. Find out more about BBM at www.bbm.com.
Reader comments
BlackBerry and Sharecare launch secure BBM channel for all your health needs
Good to see that the signatures are now being also deleted...wow...
Posted via CB10
I think that BBM Channels were a really missed opportunity. While some Channels are still flourishing, many have been abandoned, **** down or little more than a dumping ground for all kinds of spam and marriage proposals and requests...
Posted via CB10
Dude...I said the word "shut"...LOL...shut down...even that is now censored?!
Posted via CB10
Wouldn't it be smart to include a link to the channel or the channel pin in the press release?
Posted via CB10
Chopra and Oz? seriously BB?
I'll pay for bbm video, bring it BlackBerry
Data_theNew_Greed
Lol
Posted via PP
I use BBM daily. I will give this a try.
Posted via CB10
I have never tried BBM, but this looks interesting. How do I subscribe to this?
Posted via CB10
I don't use bb channels but I definitely welcome this and look forward to it.
Excellent - the American Cancer Society sounds good but I am not sure about Dr Oz. Hope that won't bring down the tone of the channel.
Posted via my BlackBerry Passport
Anyone who thinks the American Cancer Society is a credible organization and has the objective of curing cancer is delusional.
Posted via CB10
I joined the channel but the chat is disabled.
Posted via CB10
What about WebMD? Lol
Typed using my BlackBerry Classic running 10.3.2.2876 on WINDmobile HSPA+
This should be well received!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
Dr. Oz proved himself. Hahaha
Posted via CB10
I am going to check it out, but the name Oz raises a red flag. Hopefully it is credible as a resource and not too much junk science.
Posted via CB from "Z" best
Agreed. The same goes for that quack Deepak Chopra.
Posted via CB10
Exactly. Both Chopra and Oz are peddlars of pseudoscience of the worst kind, the kind that gives false hope, preys on insecurities and cons vulnerable people. Chopra with his "quantum magic / cosmic consciousness", anti-science woo woo, and Oz with his gimmicky stunts to promote nonsense and quack products, which has drawn harsh criticism from all over the worlds of science and medicine, ... I'm really surprised that Blackberry would have anything to do with these two snake oil salesmen. This tells me that the people at the top of Blackberry have some pretty poor critical thinking skills. I'm pretty shocked.
Love my BBM Channels and this definitely is a must have for me. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
Hopefully it works out as intended and not overrun with spam which usually has led to channel abandonment
Posted via CB10
Definitely a neat channel and something I will keep an eye on
Posted from My very Classy Classic
Cool. A new channel to post my PIN or a random emoticon.
RedBerry Passport /10.3.2.2876 / Telus
Exactly! Maybe 1% of the comments posted will be related to the topic of the channel.
Comments have been disabled in their channel.
Posted via CB10
I hope this clear commitment to BBM results in cross-platform BBM video ASAP so that health professionals can schedule an interactive video appointment. Please crack this nut and get it done BlackBerry. Consumers will benefit at the same time and truly make BBM The place to be.
Posted via CB10
Very nice!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
This is BBM's only hope, really. I feel like most people won't bring it up anymore because we are all blue in the face or stopped caring since it seems like it will never happen. Oh well, I've gotten people to use it because of the really nice audio call quality, but it would be nice if it were a go-to app.
My BBM Contacts keep growing every year. There's a demand for BBM, especially within the Mobile Gaming Community.
What are some of the good game channels?
Posted via CB10
I rarely use BBM, let alone BBM channels
Posted via CB10
Well looks like you may have a reason to use BBM channel! ; )
Posted via CB10
Well then why don't you shut your stupid ******* mouth then?
What's wrong with you?
Posted via CB10
Whoa it's OK. Here's a sneakers.
You feel better now
I don't have patience to sugarcoat things.
Why a sneaker...did he put his foot in his mouth.
Posted via CB10
I think he meant Snickers®, but I'm not totally sure.
Auto-correct can be a *****...
******
Posted via CB10
I never used face back in 2000 but now I do, I never owned blackberry in 2004 but now I do...you gotta start somewhere...who the **** used whatsapp back when BBM was booming?
Posted via CB10
So Channels NOT dead...? :-)
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •