Thanks to BlackBerry for this article….why reinvent the wheel!

This month’s tips are all about BlackBerry® Messenger. Learn how to add contacts to BBM™ by email, PIN, and barcode; start a chat; create a group; send a file; and show your BBM contacts your current location on BlackBerry Maps.

What is BlackBerry Messenger?

BBM is like text messages, but more immediate and with more things you can do. Think instant messaging, but on your BlackBerry® smartphone. You can see who is available, start chatting with friends, set up groups, get instant replies, and share files—all this from virtually any location.

BBM also outshines texting in that you can share pictures, lists, and calendar appointments with a group.

Download BBM »

TIP 1: ADD BBM CONTACTS

Option 1: Use a PIN or email

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key.
2. Click Invite Contact.
3. Click Enter a person’s email address, PIN, or name.
4. If necessary, change the Send Using field and/or Category fields.
5. Click Send.

Note: The person might remain in the Pending category until he or she responds to your invitation.

Option 2: Use barcodes

Want a quick way to add a friend to your BBM contact list? Try scanning the BBM barcode from their BlackBerry smartphone. Simply scan your friend’s barcode and presto!, they are added to your BlackBerry Messenger contact list.

Find your barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Click Display My Barcode.

Scan a barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Invite Contact.
2. Click Scan a person’s barcode, then click Continue.
3. Hold your smartphone so that all four corners of the barcode you are scanning appear on your device screen. Continue to hold the smartphone until you hear a beep.

For more on BBM barcodes, see Tips & Tricks: Share Messenger Contacts by Barcode.

BlackBerry Barcode Generator

Generate an original BBM barcode and share your info with a quick scan. It’s easy to do and you can show it off in your Facebook® profile.

Generate your barcode »

TIP 2: START A CHAT

1. On the BBM contact list screen.
2. Type your message.
3. Press the Enter key.

TIP 3: CREATE A BBM GROUP

Stay connected with groups of friends, family, or co-workers by creating groups of BBM contacts.

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Create New Group.
2. Type a name for the group.
3. Type a description that people will see when they receive the invitation to the group.
4. Change the Group Icon field.
5. Perform any of the following actions:
   • To prevent members from inviting other people to the group, change the Allow non-admin members invite others field to No.
   • To prevent the group icon from appearing on the Home screen of your BlackBerry device, change the Show on Home Screen field to No.
6. Click Create Group.

TIP 4: SEND A FILE TO A CONTACT

You can send files, photos, voice notes, and contacts to your BBM contacts (requires BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 or later and may not be available for all users).

1. In BBM, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Send File.
3. Perform one of the following actions:
   • To send a picture, click Picture. Click Camera to take a new picture, or click a saved picture. Type a caption. Click Send. If necessary, select a picture size option. Click OK.
   • To send a document, click File. Click a file.
   • To send a voice note, click Voice Note. Click Start to record your message. Click Stop when you are finished recording. Click Send.
   • To send a contact an attachment of a contact from the address book, click BlackBerry Contact. Click a contact.
   • To send a contact an attachment of a BBM contact, click Messenger Contacts. Click one or more contacts. Click OK.

TIP 5: SHARE YOUR LOCATION (SO COOL)

A cool BBM feature uses GPS technology to send your location to a BBM contact, who can then see where you are on BlackBerry Maps. (This feature may not be available for all users.)

1. In BBM, during a chat, press the Menu key.
2. Click Send Location.

Your contact will now be able to see your location.

More BBM tips