Sometimes leaked software creates problems. BlackBerry promised Android and iOS versions of its BlackBerry Messenger over the weekend. The company has paused the roll-out after problems with unofficial Android apps.
Some countries such as India, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand did get BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone.
A not-approved unreleased version of BBM for Android was released online and instantly gained 1.1 million users that caused issues that BlackBerry tried to fixed throughout Saturday.
The unreleased Android app will be disabled and the world roll-out has been halted.
The app was disseminated through the hashtag #BBM on Twitter. There were also counterfeit Google Play accounts with names like BlackBerry Inc. that offered the bogus BBM for Android. The fake BlackBerry Mesenger apps were then eliminated from the Google Play store.
BlackBerry developers are working the program. When they are ready they will begin a staggered roll-out of BBM for Android and BBM for iPhone country by country. The issues did not impact BBM service for BlackBerry.
Over 2.5 million people registered with BlackBerry to download the app for either iPhone or Android. Over 60 million people use BBM all over the world.
BlackBerry previously announced that BlackBerry Messenger would be coming to iOS and Android during the summer. We last heard that the iPhone/iPad version was in the queue for Apple App Store approval. On September 18, BlackBerry announced that the Android BBM app will be available at 7:00 am ET on Saturday while the iPhone iOS version was supposed to available at 12:01 am local time in each market.
BBM offers mobile messaging with delivered and read statuses as well as personalized profiles and avatars. 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 of up to 30 people.
iOS and Android App users will be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.
Every BBM user has a unique PIN that maintains your privacy, so you don’t have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact.