Blackberry has announced that their Blackberry Messenger popularly known as BBM will be launching across multiple platforms like Android and iOS. Now BBM fans using other mobile devices like Android phone and iPhones can now have the BBM feature on their mobile phone, you can now be able to enjoy the awesome BBM services. This is expected to happen this summer.
The BBM app will be made available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store for users of the various mobile platforms to talk with Blackberry users. The BBM app will support all iOS devices running on iOS 6 and higher, as well as Android devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and higher. Both apps will of course need to pass Google and Apple’s approval process first.
Blackberry Messenger BBM
In the first version of multi-platform BBM, iOS and Android users are expected to be able to experience the following BBM features:
The immediacy of BBM chats
Multi-person chats
Voice note sharing
BlackBerry Groups, where BBM users are able to set up groups of up to 30 people and share calendar, photos, files and more.
BBM Voice and Video chatting will not be included in the initial rollout, but will be introduced later through the app updates.
What does this mean for Blackberry?
In truth, most Blackberry phone users today are only using Blackberry because of BBM and when it has been made available on other platforms like Android and iOS, there will definitely be a shift in the number of Blackberry phones purchased but a massive increase in the number of people using their BBM services.
Already Blackberry is claiming to have over 60 million active users of the BBM and they share over 10 billion messages each day, the release of this app to other mobile phone platforms will see that figure triple.
What does this mean for Whatsapp and other alternatives?
Whatsapp became popular as the closest alternative to the BBM as a result of their non-support for other platforms, but when this app will be released for Android and iOS platforms, Whatsapp and other BBM alternatives will be hit a hard blow. I won’t be surprised to either see a healthy competition that will bring about massive changes and awesome innovations or the death of the alternatives.
Are you an enthusiast of the BBM on Android and iOS? What are your expectations? What is your view of this article? Do you think Blackberry is putting themselves at risk by supporting their biggest competitor’s platforms? Or do you think it’s a smart move? Let’s hear from you, use the comment form below to share what you think about this article with me. Remember to subscribe to my RSS feed.
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Hi Nwosu Mavtrevor,
Great Share!
Thanks for sharing this informative post and Writing :)
Stay updated and stay rocking :P ;)
-Mosam
Thanks Mosam for your comment, i hope you will be among the first people to use this app because i will definitely do so.
hmmmmmn, sounds as if Blackberry will be going down soon…… nice post bro
I really can’t wait to see the faces of Blackberry users when i start pinging them from my Awesome Android HTC phone.
This is great news that i have been expecting… Right now am eager to see this working on those phones, i wont mind ditching my Blackberry for any of those android running smartphones.
Hi Nwosu,
Definitely an interesting move for Blackberry.
It shows supreme confidence or it is the beginning of a big mistake.
Thanks for sharing your keen tech insight Nwosu!
Ryan
So you have been a Blackberry fanboy because of BBM?
Thanks Ryan, i will keenly watch how this affects Blackberry in both short time and long time. Thanks for your comment.
its not about been a fan, I have never loved the blackberry, but i found ma self using it… Because it was a gift :D … and the reason for moving cus of BBM is the fact that i am considering how many people i will loss contact with if i go off BBM. So having it across various platforms makes the move easy.
Ok, i get your point now. Well as much as i have never really liked Blackberry phone or considered using it i will admit i have always wished i could have their most prized asset the BBM on my Android phone and now BBM app will be coming to Android you don’t know how glad i am at hearing that. And i am certain many Blackberry users will switch to other platforms.
Well said, this will be the end of Blackberry phones and the rise of BBM
Well they must have known better…maybe that have other plans..let’s watch and see
Hi
Great to know about BBM :) Thanks for sharing :) Keep Posting !!
Thanks, i am sure you must be interested in using BBM too on other mobile platforms like me?
Hi Nwosu Mavtrevor, Great Info about BBM bro!! I am an Android user and i am really interested in using BBM in my Android device. Thanks for Sharing this great info ;)
I really cant wait to try out BBM on my Android device too, i wonder what Blackberry users will think then after spending a lot of money buying expnsive Blackberry phones that cant be compared to even simple Android phones.
My last none BB smartphone was a Samsung memoir that died in Lagos rain after I moved to Nigeria in 2009… oh I went with a bb cuz I learnt it’s an African needful.
yaaaaaaaaaay back to Android world soon cuz I wanted a Z10. .. skype need. :)
yeah… moving from t-mobile to sprint… maybe.
Glad you want to move back to Android soon. I live in Nigeria and never considered a Blackberry an African needful its just an over-hyped device.
on What date does the ability happen? I want to trade phones to Samsung Galaxy S4 at best buy at the right time.
Whie there has been rumors it will be 27th of June 2013, no one can say for certain the correct date but Blackberry said somewhere within the summer.
I’d love to break up with my wretched blackberry now but bbm I do need. July maybe… bleh!
Yes, it could be….be sure i will update it on this blog once it becomes available.