BBM is coming to iPhone and Android

iNSaNeSaiNt · May 18, 2013

BBM is coming to iPhone and ANDROiD

Kadhim Shubber 15 May 13 said:

BlackBerry users will be reconnected to the rest of the world this summer.

BBM, the hugely popular BlackBerry-only instant messaging service, is coming to iOS and Android.

"It's time to bring BBM to a greater audience," said CEO Thorsten Heins. "No matter what mobile device they carry."

But while two years ago it would have faced minimal competition, the likes of iMessage and WhatsApp means BBM will have a fight on its hands if it wants to be the primary method of messaging on iOS and Android. With over 60 million active monthly users, BBM is a force to be reckoned with, but in April WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum claimed that WhatsApp has over 200 million active monthly users.

The move comes just months after the launch of a new BlackBerry operating system, BB10.

"We now believe that BB10 is so convincing that we can let BBM grow on its own merit," said Heins, who also recently predicted the death of tablet computers.

The arrival of BBM on iOS and Android is dependant on their approval in the App Store and on Google Play. The app will be free.

By opening up BBM to other platforms, BlackBerry run the risk of diluting one their core USPs. But the decision is a reflection of the company's dwindling fortunes. In 2012, BlackBerry's handset market share fell 33 percent -- sticking to their guns isn't an option. The company will be betting that the spread of BBM will catalyse the spread of BB10.
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BBM is coming to iPhone and Android

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