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Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Blackberry's proprietary instant messenger, has announced new features for its users in Nigeria and South Africa. In a statement released on Thursday, the company said the latest version of the messenger is streamlined to improve user experience. The new version includes a new chatbot API, more analytics for BBM partners, spam reporting, the ability for existing users to add a phone number to their profiles, and other features.

With the latest BBM version, Android users can view full images of profile pictures in their feeds without clicking to expand. On the iOS platform where BBM has updated icons for chats, contacts and feeds, the new layout will make it easier to see new services as they launch, since they will get slotted into the list.

One of the latest features is the much-awaited chatbot application programming interface (API). The feature increases the level of interaction between customers and BBM channel owners. The BBM channel is a social networking feature within BBM that connects people with communities and brands that interest them. Previously, users could chat with the channel owners but only via phone. Now, a human channel representative or a chatbot programme can answer the questions received in chat.

Other features are spam reporting, which lets users report unwanted friend requests as “spam;” analytics for partners, which provides BBM partners with the tools to easily track their traffic, including the number of unique users, returning users, how long people are staying on their apps, etc.

Also, existing users who originally set up their BBM accounts with an email address can add a phone number to their profiles.

"Adding a phone number provides additional security and speeds up the process for resetting forgotten passwords. It also makes it easier to find friends," BBM said.

BBM is now run by Indonesian Creative Media Works. The latest version of BBM is now available on Google Play and the App Store.