BlackBerry announced plans to make its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app available for free to iOS and Android users this summer, with support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher, (all apps subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play.)
There were leaks that suggested a release date for the apps on June 27. However it seems that were was a delay. Summer is not over, yet, when you'll be able to connect more than 60 million BBM monthly active users.
BBM offers mobile messaging with delivered and read statuses, and personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM customers would be able to broaden their connections to include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile platforms.
iOS and Android users can participate in BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people.
BBM offers users control and privacy over who they add to their contact list and how they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.
BlackBerry also announced BBM Channels, a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow customers to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about. BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play.
There are so many good alternative messaging apps to BBM out there in the market now. By the time the BBM versions for iOS and Android will be available, no one will need them anymore. And then the initial version will be buggy as well...