RIM rolls out social apps with new BBM version 6

Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) introduced version 6 of its BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging application, touting a series of connected applications enabling new social interactions within mobile games and other user experiences.

The newest version of BlackBerry Messenger enables greater social interaction capabilities.

According to RIM, all connected apps directly integrate BBM messaging functionality--for example, users playing a BBM-connected game can invite BBM contacts to compete against them and chat in real time without leaving the gameplay scenario.

RIM also touts BBM connectivity as a tool for BlackBerry users to share recommended app experiences with friends and discover apps posted to BBM contact profiles. The first wave of BBM-connected applications will go live on BlackBerry App World later today; RIM said it expects many additional apps to roll out over the coming months.

RIM released its BBM Social Platform public beta for BlackBerry Java in March and issued the final version--as well as a corresponding public beta version for BlackBerry WebWorks--late last month. The BBM platform now boasts an active worldwide userbase in excess of 45 million per month--RIM aspires to expand user experience beyond messaging and chat tools to encompass multimedia, gaming, location-based services, VoIP, video and commerce solutions, enabling consumers to connect socially, as well as share application achievements and content in real time.

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