BBM to evolve into interest based mobile social network through Channels

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

With 80 million worldwide users, BlackBerrys now cross-platform BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) is evolving into its own social engagement platform within BBM. BBM Channels is expected to come out of beta testing and will offer BlackBerry users the opportunity to create their own personal or brand channels. Interested followers can subscribe to these channels much like how people follow others on Facebook or on Twitter. BBM Channels can be verified so as to avoid fakes and channels can be set up for specific events like concerts, sporting events and conferences. This allows for focused, user-targeted and noise-free communications.

BlackBerry OS 5 and above and BlackBerry 10 through BlackBerry World. BlackBerry users can simply update to the newest version of BBM to have access to the BBM Channels beta when it becomes available later today.

Update on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 1:16PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Some sources say the BBM Channels feature will rollout in updates to the BBM app starting 3 PM Eastern Today.

Samsung debuts Galaxy Grand 2

Samsung’s not yet done releasing giant smartphones. The new Galaxy Grand 2 is a 5.25-inch smartphone with 1280 x 720 TFT screen, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and 1.5GB RAM. The HSPA+ phone is also equipped with 8GB storage with microSD support, 8-megapixel shooter and dual-SIM card slots. It will come in white, black, and pink. No word on availability and price yet.

Source: Mashable

HTC to release One in gold

Gizmodo reported that HTC plans to release a gold-coloured version of the One smartphone. It won’t cost you a pretty penny though as the blinged out version will supposedly cost the same as the silver model.

Android Jelly Bean lands on Samsung Galaxy S4, S4 Mini from Canadian carriers

Android Central reported that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is finally making its way to Samsung Galaxy S4 and S4 Minis from Bell, TELUS and Rogers. Just watch for the 790MB update to hit your device soon. There will be visual refreshes for a few menus and icons and it will now include support for the Galaxy Gear watch.

Correction: I apologize for the error. We meant Android Jelly Bean instead of KitKat.