 "BBM Available For Android On Sept 21 And iPhone On Sept 22")
BlackBerry has announced that its iconic mobile instant messenger BBM will begin rolling out for Android and iPhone customers around the world from September 21. Previously exclusive to BlackBerry smartphones, BBM will be available as a free download in Google Play and the App Store
According to BlackBerry, BBM gives users a private social network for active, real conversations and while there are many cross-platform mobile instant messengers, with WhatsApp leading the pack, BBM has the advantage of telling users that messages are delivered and read and has high security and privacy standards since BBM allows users to choose their contacts and how they share their information. Since BBM is PIN-based, users don’t have to give anyone their phone number or e-mail address.
BBM is a very engaging messaging service that is simple to use, easy to personalize and has an immediacy that is necessary for mobile communications," said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry. “With more than a billion Android, iOS, and BlackBerry smartphones in the market, and no dominant mobile messaging platform, this is absolutely the right time to bring BBM to Android and iPhone customers.”
BBM for Android and iPhone will initially feature Chat, the ability to share files, and Groups, though BlackBerry has promised that other features such as BBM Video calling and Voice calling will also be coming to BBM on Android and iOS in a future version.
BBM will be available as a free download for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) beginning at 4:30 PM India time (IST) on September 21. BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01 AM local time on September 22.
Later this year, BBM Channels will provide a forum for active, real conversations between users and the people, brands, celebrities, artists, service providers, communities and more, that matter to them. By creating a Channel, individuals and brands can engage their friends and communities in conversations sparked by their thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a Channel will let users join conversations with people who share their interests.