BlackBerry resumes BBM rollout for iPhone, Android users

Following the delay caused by a software leak, BlackBerry has officially resumed the release of its BlackBerry Messenger app for Android and iPhones.

Samsung customers in Nigeria and other sub-Sahara African countries can now download the BBM app from the Samsung Apps Store, while iPhone and other Android-based smartphone users will be able to download the app in three days’ time, a release from BlackBerry on Tuesday indicated.

The deployment was halted last month when an unauthorised copy of the app was leaked for Android smartphones and caused problems with the BlackBerry Messenger platform.

When that leaked, the company said around a million people downloaded it for their Android smartphones. What they have now revealed is that more than one million people also found creative ways to “side load” BBM onto their iPhone.

In order to avoid the problems and manage server loads, the company is phasing the rollout of the BBM app for other devices.

The six million people who registered to be told about the launch will be able to use the app immediately. Other users will have to download the app and register, and then will be sent a message when their account has been activated.

The app is now available on Google Play and iTunes.

The BBM has more than 60 million active customers monthly on BlackBerry alone, and the overwhelming majority use it an average of 90 minutes per day.

BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day compared to other mobile messaging apps. Messages on BBM are typically read within seconds, reflecting how truly engaged the BBM customers are.

The Executive Vice-President for BBM at BlackBerry, Mr. Andrew Bocking, said, “BBM is a very engaging messaging service that is simple to use, easy to personalise and has an immediacy that is necessary for mobile communications.

“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.”

According to BlackBerry, the BBM will continue to evolve quickly, as later this year, BBM channels will provide a forum for active, real conversations between people, brands, celebrities, artists, service providers, communities and more.

 By creating a channel, the firm said individuals and brands could engage their friends and communities in conversations sparked off by their thoughts, ideas and passions.

“Subscribing to a channel will let you join conversations with people who share your interests. In addition, BBM video calling and BBM voice calling are planned for availability for Android and iPhone in a future version,” it added.