NOTE: Please be aware that it may take up to 24 hours for the app to be available in the BlackBerry App World storefront.

Showing is better than telling, so we made a video of the first official BBM Voice call on Inside BlackBerry. Check it out:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

BBM 7 gives you the freedom to choose how you connect with your BBM contacts. It is designed so you can seamlessly switch from a BBM message to a BBM Voice call for free over Wi-Fi.

Here are some other great features you’ll love in BBM 7:

• BBM upgrade notifications – BBM will notify you when there are updates to download straight from within the app
• BBID Synchronization – your BBM profile, Groups and Contacts are linked to your BlackBerry ID
• 16 Additional emoticons – even more choice for those times when words just aren’t enough. Can you spot the new ones? *Drool*

For more information on BBM Voice as well as what else BBM 7 has to offer, check out this How-To video. We can’t wait to hear what you think. Be sure to leave us a comment here or tweet to @BlackBerry using #BBMVoice.

With the holiday season just around the corner, be sure to update your BBM application to BBM 7 so that you can stay connected. As mentioned above it may take up to 24 hours for the app to appear in BlackBerry App World.

How will you be keeping in touch with your friends and family over the holidays?