Are you a WhatsApp user who is currently running the beta release from the BlackBerry Beta Zone? If so, you might want to check the app to see if you have some new calling features enabled. Several WhatsApp users in the CrackBerry Forums have now reported the feature, which allows you to call other WhatsApp users through the app using data services, has now appeared randomly and have been testing it out.
Sadly, it's not showing up for everyone as of yet but there are a few ways you might be able to force it to appear if you simply cannot wait. If you know someone who has the feature enabled on their account, they can call you, and it will force it to appear for you as well, but that doesn't work in all cases thus far.
The calling features are something that have been rumored for months now and have also started appearing within the Android app most recently. WhatsApp, earlier this month confirmed to Mashable it was indeed testing the feature with a "small group" of Android users, but it would seem that testing has now moved onto BlackBerry 10 users.
Discuss more in the CrackBerry Forums
Thanks, Jafrul and Usman!
Reader comments
WhatsApp calling features slowly appearing for BlackBerry 10 users
I wish it was available for blackberry 7
I need. It's a very useful and common app unlike Bbm
I still haven't got calling feature in my whatsapp. What the matter??
Can't wait to see this feature on whatsapp.
Posted via CB10
Cool. Cant wait
Posted via CB10
Yeah whatever I got bbm
Posted via CB10
Blend for all platforms would be a breakthrough
Posted via CB10
Nice!
Z10STL100-2/10.3.1.2072
Can any1 save my contact and call me through whatsapp +919930903903 MB.
Posted via CB10
Sir. I'm using BlackBerry Z3.
I'm not able to update it into 10.3 nd what's app for calling
Posted via CB10
Maybe it's just me, but when I want to call someone, I just call them using my phone. Cause ya know, phones are for making phone calls. I could understand if you have few minutes on the plan, but I didn't think carriers even had those any more. All four big US carriers are unlimited minutes for all plans it seems.
This was posted on my FB wall, lol.
http://www.storypick.com/added-in-unwanted-whatsapp-groups/
Posted via Classic
Need Bbm do upgrade quicker. Need Web interface also and better UI for multiple platform.
WhatsApp is improving day after day. Wapp quality is less than Bbm but it's enough for some users and there are more users on Wapp than Bbm :(
Posted via CB10
they should also fix the feeds to start where we left off rather than having to scroll n find it, just more efficient
Posted via CB10
+1
I'm agree. This is a regression
Posted via CB10
Has it been in BBM before?
Posted via CB10
Great app if you like giving your privacy away, plus everyone else on your phone.
Posted via CB10
Why is no one concerned that whatsapp is owned by Facebook? No one concerned in how their calls are handled? Next year I bet they will announce they own the rights to your phonecalls. Until you die in which you will have an "option" what happens to them.
Posted via CB10
I just mention Facebook. Perhaps we posted at the same time :)
Posted via CB10 using BlackBerry Passport
Because we're not as paranoid as you or we don't care at all as long as we have a reliable service that people we know use.
It's also possible to use Facebook without giving them your medical records..
Posted via CB10
I have lifetime subscription from WhatsApp. The only problem I have with it is that they are owned by Facebook. Can't trust them much. I hope Telegram surpasses all of these.
Posted via CB10 using BlackBerry Passport
Why is this relevant when we have BBM lol....
Posted via CB10
Exactly! A safe secure app compared to privacy stealing crap.
Posted via CB10
Oh man... not cool at all for us BBM defenders. we're running out of features to sell man! BlackBerry better shape up with this lag on Video chat in BBM
Posted via CB10
Lol that's kinda late you can better have BBM :p
Posted via CB10 / BlackBerry Q10 (OS 10.2.1.3062)
Chen does not have any interest in social media he is focusing in on areas, so we flounder on here Android ropes?
Posted via CB10
Super
Posted via CB10
Before everyone Viber had call and video
Posted via CB10
Before everyone Skype had it ;-)
Except MSN on Desktops!
Posted via CB10
BBM should be able to talk to/with WhatsApp-users, so bbm-users would,t need WhatsApp on their system. This way whatsapp-users could go over to bbm without having to choose which app is their main app.
From my awesome
That's not fair it's a copy of BBM and now everyone will use what's app and not BBM
Blackberry z30
All my family members and most of my friends left BBM and move to WhatsApp ..after being off WhatsApp for more than 2yrs I reinstall just to delete my account and later that my sis message me saying you disappear fast
Posted via CB10
Well, this is it for BBM, features-wise. Now, I'm only using it because I don't want Facebook Inc. anywhere near my contacts, even if it's for a "transient" check.
My whatsapp account was hacked recently so I closed the account. I will stick with BBM.
Posted via CB10
Your password was too weak or you got phished, neither is the fault of WhatsApp.
Posted via CB10
90% friends are using whatsapp
1% BBM
]|I{•------» ѕєηт ƒяσм му ραѕѕρσят. «------•}I|[
You have at least 100 friends, show off..
Posted via CB10
I'm done with BBM. Thanks Chen!
Posted via CB10
The fact that bbm does not work smoothly on ios (need to open app to get msgs) and works haphazardly on android has been a problem from day one. What's even worse is BlackBerry's refusal to fix these issues. Day 1 millions signed up for bbm x-platform a week later ppl went back to whatsapp because the performance was awful in 18mths bbm has only added 40-50mil users. That's not good fix the issues and add video (FOR FREE) and announce it at MWC and you will see a rush of ppl using bbm once more but making the experience smooth and fast is farrrr more important video will be the fluff that millions love to see nowadays
+1
Posted via CB10
I know I'm late to this thread but I couldn't agree with you more. I convinced 13 of my friends to install BBM on their iOS and Droid devices. They all had had the problem with no notifications and it never got better. I ate so much crow I was picking feathers out of my teeth for weeks. Every single one of them is back on Whatsapp. Yes I know BBM is better this and more secure that and not owned by face**** but all that is pointless if your contacts don't get notifications. I have only two contacts on BBM now and that is because they both own Blackberries.
It's sad, these are features originally on BBM, unfortunately BBM never gained enough traction to show off these features to many WhatsApp users because it lacked everything else WhatsApp had, such as picture, video, voice, location and file sharing on Group Chats, but most of all RELIABILITY. All I ever hear from cross-platform BBM users is complaints of bugs on Android and especially on iPhone. Windows? Let's not even go there! Now BlackBerry is finally adding picture share on BBM Group Chats but you still can't share anything else. Too little, too late.
In order to compete you have to first start off by offering everything the competitor offers, then work on new options such as BBM Channels , BBM Voice, Stickers and BBM Video.
I hope BlackBerry pays attention. Here's the most important thing you can do for BBM after adding the ability to share all types of files on Group Chats, ready? Add BBM VIDEO CROSS-PLATFORM! Do It! Do It Fast! And market the $4it out of it! Before WhatsApp beats you to it! And they will, if you fall asleep on the drawing board. They are a serious competitor and know how to deliver promptly and efficiently!
Posted via CB10
"They are a serious competitor and know how to deliver promptly and efficiently"
They promised Voice 18 months ago & are only now in limited Beta. I'm not sure if I would call that "promptly"
Posted via CB10
They delivered voice notes and checks similar to D and R on BBM almost back to back, since BBM has been available cross-platform. BBM has been out cross-platform for over a year and no file sharing in Group Chats, I mean really that is just basic, but also no cross-platform BBM video. And when there are bugs on WhatsApp they fix them with an update quickly. BBM is constantly experiencing bugs on all platforms and they aren't addresses. How many months has BBM for Windows been out and there version is still limited. Glympse has been working like crap for months also. That damn blue blob has still not been addressed, I guess we all have to wait for 10.3.1 for it to be corrected and here we are mid way in to February and no 10.3.1. These are the things that push people away from the app and from the platform. WhatsApp doesn't have that problem and frankly it pisses me off cause I really do want to see BlackBerry and BBM succeed.
Posted via CB10
+1 .. well said
I hope they are able to fix the current security flaws:
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/whatsapp-flaw-said-to-let-anyone-track...
Take a look at WhatsSpy Public
https://gitlab.maikel.pro/maikeldus/WhatsSpy-Public/wikis/home
Different issue but still a good read:
http://bas.bosschert.nl/steal-whatsapp-database/
Lol yang punya orang Indonesia yak
Anyway, nice to see this feature, similar for what we already have like Line free call or BBM voice
I think it's kinda cool if we have some kind of cross features in these similar apps, like you can call your Line friend with your Whatsapp account etc etc, but it's just a dream for now I guess..
Posted by mighty Z10
But Line is not available for BB10, is it?
Honestly..do you all think that BlackBerry is sitting idly? Video will be made available cross platform in short time..a bit of optimism there as well
Posted via CB10
Whatsapp is awesome.
Still did not see the calling feature.
]|I{•------» ѕєηт ƒяσм му ραѕѕρσят. «------•}I|[
BlackBerry should bring Bbm video cross platform and to windows/mac - they have a chance to rapidly expand users. The other products like hangouts and Skype are difficult to use and not as good.
Posted via CB10
This is where BBM needs to be.
Posted via CB10
Hangouts is not available for BlackBerry. And sadly Google Talk is going to be turned off soon. :-(
See what happens when there is competition. Whatsapp wouldn't have ANY of this weren't it be for BBM X-plat.
Posted via CB10
BBM aren't WhatsApp's main competition.
Posted via CB10
Waiting for it.. hopefully, be better than viber for cross platform.. most of my contacts are on whatsapp.. very limited on bbm.. so yes, a welcome move for me.
Posted via CB10
Whatsapp is way late LINE, Wechat, Kakao Talk, Viber, BBM all have voice it's no big deal. Things wechat are rolling out in china are far more advanced and cool then voice calling and video.
Posted via CB10
BBM had that feature way before whatsapp even considered it. BBM voice and BBM video. :D
Posted with my BlackBerry Q10 using the CrackBerry 10 application
It's not cross-platform, BBM has no future unless it cements itself as a viable cross-platform application.
BlackBerry are right to implement Blend because usability across all devices is the future, unfortunately with Facebook taking on WhatsApp their resources are phenomenal (and they are already cross-platform and on desktops).
Posted via CB10
Well said. And desktop is important too. WhatsApp, Viber, Line .. all have desktop clients already. BBM needs it too.
I'm surprised by some of the negativity in the comments about bbm being done for or not catching up in users as the clear sign of the end.
Yes, it would be nice to have x platform video before whatsapp, and guess what, we do! BBM meetings is super cross platform. It's a premium feature clearly aimed at enterprise (though available to consumers as it doesn't require a bes) and that leads us to the other revelation, for BlackBerry it's not all about how many users are hooked to their free app/service.
It certainly doesn't hurt to have piles of free users buying stickers but neither is bbm's focus. A messenger that's secure, has a sane relationship with advertisers and is unparalleled for business use is the big picture.
BBM doesn't need all the users, just enough and the right ones.
Posted via CB10
BBM Meetings exists but it's not accessible to everyone yet. I signed up for the beta test for it almost a month and a half ago and I haven't heard anything back. It's not at the point where just anyone can sign up and use it right now. And it's not cheap. Definitely not aimed at the consumer, or even 'prosumer' market. Whatsapp and BBM are more consumer type programs... I really hope that BBM wins that race and gets video chat across the board before Whatsapp!
Posted via my BlackBerry Passport
Exactly. People won't pay if they can get it for free elsewhere.
there must be some sort of patent out there that is stopping BBM from going cross platform Video,Enquiring minds want to know,what's holding them back?
Viber has this for how long now?
Posted via CB10
Bbm cant even sort out loading chats at oldest unread message.
Posted via CB10
Why is that such a critical feature?
Posted via CB10
What are you talking about dude?
Send from the amazing powers of the Z30
This. It's a simple feature in whatsapp that for the life of me I can't understand why BBM doesn't have, just like the in line pic sharing in group chats. They finally added that in the latest BBM Beta, but it took forever to get even that far. It's so frustrating to open a group chat where there's been a ton of messages I haven't read yet and it opens right to the bottom. Then I have to scroll up until I find the last point at which I had read and read all the messages until I'm caught up.
BBM really needs to speed up the pace of development because in most ways I prefer it to other chat clients.
Posted via CB10
Right!
Whatsapp calling vs bbm calling?
Check Out [URL="bbmc: C0008DDD1"]TechCraze[/URL]
Still prefer BBM calling. Just MHO.
Posted using the best phone ever, the Z30!
Is it only for those who get the salamander statement at the start?
It doesn't show up for me
N'ermind, I thought placing a gsm call would work. N'ermind :p
What's app will gain even more popularity with this feature. BBM doesn't support this with criss platform users. I'd they release it it will be very nice.
Posted via BlackBerry z10
That's not true at all. I call my sister all the time and she uses bbm for iPhone...
Posted using the best phone ever, the Z30!
It's only a matter of time....bbm should've release cross platform video long time ago. Whatsapp has been bogarting all of bbm's features for a while...if they bring out video which i'm sure will happen in the next couple of releases, it's a wrap for bbm.
Pimp slappin iGeeks, Droinerds and Windufuses with my big white Z30
They have cross platform audio.
Posted with my BlackBerry Q10 using the CrackBerry 10 application
That layout looks so much like bbm. Bbm rip off. I don't why why blackberry not doing the same thing to watsapp that they did to typo
Z30
WhatsApp just sticks to the native BlackBerry 10 design where it can. It just so happens that BBM does the same.
Thankfully!
WhatsApp are treating BlackBerry users fairly well.
Posted via CB10
BBM will never catch up with watsapp honestly speaking.
Z30
+1
They fell so far behind they ll never come close to catching up.
Posted via CB10 on my Z30
Yes, they already have bbm audio.
Posted with my BlackBerry Q10 using the CrackBerry 10 application
Awesome
PasaportePilipinasSQW100-1/10.3.1.2267
It looks like another obstacle BlackBerry will need to overcome for consumers to switch. They've been fighting against Apple and Google for market share and pulled away focusing on Enterprise for now. Looks like bbm is now fighting whatsapp for features consumers want.
WhatsApp is here to scrap it out tooth and nail and BlackBerry is fighting. But if the last update from bbm is any indication of how fast they are moving or trying to compete they look like snails.
Yes, but everyone else is in the same boat too.
WhatsApp is dominating Apple messenger also.
BBM just needs to be more reliable than anything else. Mine drops voice and video calls all the time, and that is from bb10-bb10 on 4GLTE!!
The BBM security feature is something that WA will not be able to compete with, so we have an ace there at least.
Calls drop for me a lot too, it's such a shame because when it works reliably it certainly trumps OTA calls.
Posted via CB10
Nice trick by whatsapp dev, unlock the feature by people calling you and you can use the feature
PassportSQW100-1/10.3.1.2243
Call me pare ha ha ha
PasaportePilipinasSQW100-1/10.3.1.2267
BBM needs this feature now!! Oh wait... we already have BBM voice and Video!!
Posted via my ZED10
We don't have cross-platform video, but yes we do have voice. However, it's been I think about a year and still no cross platform video, unfortunately I think whatsapp will get there first. I've already more or less left bbm.
Posted via CB10
I do think in this situation (cross-platform video) being first is very important...
www. carm. org
Definitely, BBM has been far too slow.. to get back in the game they need cross-platform video and Blend for all users, they need it yesterday.
Posted via CB10
BBM on BlackBerry's is starting to be very much more well designed and easier to use but... the lack of cross platform video and slow movement in regards to getting other features that the competition has is hindering BBM. I also pretty much do not use it anymore as no one else I know does... I mean I rock a BlackBerry Passport and I do not use BBM!
Posted via CB10
Whatsapp promised voice services over 18 months ago. If they went any slower they would be going backwards.
A friend of my was beta testing the service in Spain and they had one words for it. Unreliable. It was a big turn off.
Competition is a good thing and I do think it is time for BBM to roll out the next layer of services. Clearly they have laid the ground work with BBM meetings. But lets be honest, Whatsapp is still quite a ways behind BBM is overall service quality and features.
Unfortunately it seems it's all about monetization.
Biggest drawback of WhatsApp is being part of Facebook, since Facebook is malware/spamware.
Other than that it works as expected.
Posted via CB10
As apposed to WhatsApp which was/is also spyware?
Posted via CB10
Neither application fits the criteria for malware or spyware.
Posted via CB10
Shhh..you must be new. Intelligent comments like yours aren't allowed on CrackBerry.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I could live with snoopware / spyware / datamining operation. ;-)
Still, doesn't cover it exactly...
• Telstra + Classic, Optus + PP, AT&T + PP , Verizon + Classic... why the mix, Mr. Fix? •
BBM just needs to be a little QUICKer with the cross-platform video and be the FIRST of the TWO with it.
Awesome job, Quickie ;-)
Frosty White Q10/10.3.1.2267 CB10 [Hopefully NOT Edited by admin to be fair lol. ;)]
It's not always best to come 1 st, but delivering a better service ;) that should be the priority
Send from the amazing powers of the Z30
Very good thing to remember right before Valentine's day. Food for thought for the night cap.
Frosty White Q10/10.3.1.2267 CB10 [Hopefully NOT Edited by admin to be fair lol. ;)]
Well it appears you got the GIST of it.
Send from the amazing powers of the Z30
Better to come 1st or not at all
Posted via CB10
Next comment would be x-rated... :-)
She will appreciate...
• Telstra + Classic, Optus + PP, AT&T + PP , Verizon + Classic... why the mix, Mr. Fix? •
Come on....
Posted via CB10
Lol
Posted via CB10
But the biggest problem is BBM still having lots of glitches compared to whatsapp... and the next coming update they are applying group picture sharing but whatsapp been there for decade and much more stable... I really love to support BBM until today.. just hopefully they improve much better than before.. they said BBM is the best messenger but you know.. glitches sometimes become very very slow if u have a few groups start spamming...
BB FANS via Q10
Lots of glitches as compare to whatsapp? Dude what are you on? Whatsapp is a bug in of itself
Send from the amazing powers of the Z30
Well I have lots of contacts on BBM and mostly got it from the game Total Conquest for Legion communication.. almost all of them complaint about group glitches, lag, slow if ppl start spamming.. setting silent BBM group but yet it doesn't silent totally.. 50 of them in my total conquest using BBM been complaining so often.. those info are from myself and from my fellow Total Conquest Legion about their experience about glitches in BBM...
BB FANS via Q10
Yep they have and have been hacked over and over and over. I'll stay with my secure BBM
Posted via CB10
Naw bbm has just added in line pics to groups, which Whatsapp doesn't have. They just have multichat.
Posted via CB10
Inline pictures has been present in WhatsApp for a long time.
Posted via CB10
Umm for a decade? Exaggerate much?
WhatsApp didn't even exist in 2005! Let alone have BBM's current new features
Posted via CB10
Would be interesting to see how the voice quality measures up. Bbm voice has always been rock solid and very very crisp and clear, cross platform.
Posted via CB10
Agreed and highly doubt it's any good
Send from the amazing powers of the Z30
From what I hear it's currently terrible....but that's why it's in Beta atm I guess. We can't fairly compare the 2 until WhatsApp rolls it out officially to everyone
Posted via CB10
To be fair, WhatsApp Call is not that crisp to compare with BBM Voice.
But it's clear enough to have a short or long chat.
And the data consumption is pretty low. As if it is compressed too.
2minutes of calling about 1.3mb of data.
Posted via my SEXY RED PassportSQW100-1/10.3.1.2267
Oh wait, and I still have 0 contacts that use BBM. WhatsApp rules!
Awesome feature but as noted over and over, until BBM group chat surpasses WhatsApp by a mile, people won't switch. Perhaps cross platform video may...
Sadly, BBM just takes up space on my phone.
Posted via CB10
Yes that's what I meant... BBM is good... I love BBM and convincing ppl to use BBM.. but been receiving complains and refuse to continue using it and go back to whatsapp... non of them complain about whatsapp and at the same time non of them say any good about BBM...
BB FANS via Q10
That's great for BBM, but I'm glad whatsapp is improving, it is an awesome service Quickie :)
Posted via CB10
Bro, the user base on WhatsApp is bigger, it doesn't matter who has the better product, what matters is the better exposure.
Visit GTR Lifestyle @ [URL= "bbmc:C001247FA"]C001247FA[/URL]
Precisely
Posted via CB10
But, the better product has a chance to get there, with the exposure.
Here we go again...
Come on BB, let's see some marketing! :-D
• Telstra + Classic, Optus + PP, AT&T + PP , Verizon + Classic... why the mix, Mr. Fix? •