BBM coming to Android and iOS soon

[honest1]

BlackBerry has just announced that its hugely popular BBM messaging service is going multi-platform: it will be released for Android and iOS as a free app this summer. BBM will support iOS hardware running iOS 6 and above; the Android version will be compatible with version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above. "It's time to bring BBM to a greater audience," CEO Thorsten Heins said in announcing the expansion, "no matter what mobile device they carry."
Though it's long been considered one of BlackBerry's strongest exclusive offerings, Heins said that his company aims to deliver a "fully featured" BBM experience on rival smartphone operating systems. "We're starting with messaging and groups, but we'll bring voice, screen share, and of course, channels later on," he said.
"Why are we doing this now? It's a statement of confidence," Heins went on. He said that BlackBerry 10's prospects are "so strong that we are confident that BBM can become an independent messaging solution." In a press release, BlackBerry notes that BBM's successful move to iOS and Android depends upon the approval of Apple and Google. Assuming things go according to plan, BBM will face no shortage of competition from WhatsApp and other messaging apps that already enjoy enormous success across mobile platforms.


http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/14/4330122/blackberry-bringing-bbm-to-android-ios-this-summer

 

[raksrules]

Damn iOS 6 and above only and i am still on 5.1.1

 

[6pack]

Noob q: What's the difference between bbm and other messaging services? What extra do they give over normal SMS?

 

[honest1]

There are few of exclusive features with BBM:
1. Sent, delivered and read status of messages. (Now the same features are available with other cross platform messaging services, hike being one of them)
2. BBM users can connect only to other Blackberry users. So, it was a kind of exclusivity.
3. BBM have very tight security.

 

[ragzdiablo]

I was missing BBM badly from the day i got the S4. I was an addicted BBM user since 2 years, it is the best messaging service IMO.
Im very glad to see this news

 

[Mohit]

So all Apple and Android phones are going to come with a PIN?

 

[dafreaking]

So all Apple and Android phones are going to come with a PIN?

Imho it will probably be generated based on your hardware. Maybe imei specific

 

[comp@ddict]

BBM. Finally my not-so-smart friends will stop harping about buying a blackberry for bbm. trolled

 

[roadrippersid]

Bb scared of whatsapp and hike

 

[wingmysoul]

Thats quite a strong decision from Blackberry. Their Phone sales are definitely going to take a hit.

 

[destiny]

Thats quite a strong decision from Blackberry. Their Phone sales are definitely going to take a hit.

Indeed coz BB Plans are quite Expensive when one Can use whatsapp for cheap rates

 

[Pat]

It would make sense for RIM to release BBM for iOS and Android if they are going to make it subscription based. Just giving it for free, not sure what business sense it makes.