BBM video calling comes to Android, iOS

Canadian company BlackBerry might not be cooking up loving dinners for its operating system anymore, but it’s not about to let its Messenger platform (BBM) go hungry.

The company has now announced that Android and iOS users of its BBM beta app can now video call one other like Beyonce.

Speaking about the new feature, SVP of emerging solutions Matthew Talbot noted that video calling was one of the chief requests users had for the BlackBerry Messenger platform:

Video is the closest thing to being physically present. We know why that’s more important for personal calls—bridging the distance with our loved ones, like helping grandparents see their grandkids grow.

It’s also clear that the move is to remain competitive with its chief rivals, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, in the mobile messaging game.

For now, the feature is only available in North America, with the company “initially limiting availability because this is the first time we’re launching BBM Video calling, and we want to monitor performance, gather feedback, and iron out any kinks,” Talbot explains.

The feature will also only be available for devices running at least Android 4.4 and iOS 8.

If you’re in the North and had some experience with the feature, let us know what you think in the comments below.