BlackBerry update includes emoji-like stickers

BlackBerry Messenger released an update that includes stickers, which are bigger emojis, and expanding the file limit for transfers to 16 MB. BBM, which has been doing well for BlackBerry, has seen an average of 85 million users on the platform monthly. The company has released an expansive library of stickers for all BlackBerry, Android and iOS devices. Users can use the stickers to personalize their chats and convey various emotions, much like iOS users use emojis. "Stickers are another great example of how we're making the BBM experience more engaging and fun for our customers," David Proulx, senior director of BBM, said in a statement. "Stickers let you personalize your chats and strike the right chord with people around the world who rely on stickers in chats when they connect with colleagues, family, friends, peers and partners." The stickers can be purchased in packs of 20 to 25; some are free while others will cost $1.99. Each pack of stickers will have a theme such as CosCat, Gilbert's Tales, Bubble Bot, and others, including popular brands like Shaun the Sheep and World Wrestling Entertainment. The update also includes 100 new BBM emoticons. BBM's photo-sharing capabilities have also been boosted -- users can now share photos in group chats. High-res photos, videos and presentations up to 16MB will be sent as thumbnails that can then be opened full-size. BlackBerry is looking at ways to monetize its BBM messenger and the stickers are another attempt in that pursuit.