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Research In Motion used to be the biggest smartphone provider in the industry. That is, before Apple and Samsung got involved. Now, the company struggles to keep its celebrity spokespeople from using iPhones instead of BlackBerry devices to sent tweets. RIM is reinventing itself. The company is now called BlackBerry, a new operating system for the device has just been released, and today at BlackBerry Live 2013, the company’s product conference, CEO Thorsten Heins announced that BlackBerry Messenger will soon be available for iOS and Android.
According to a press release from the company, BlackBerry plans to make its social networking service BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) available on iOS and Android. The app will be available on devices running iOS 6 and Android 4.0 or higher.
BBM is an instant messaging service that allows users to send delivered and read statuses, plus create profiles and avatars, and create multi-person chats where they can share photos, voice, and text messages.
“For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service. BBM has always been one of the most engaging services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We’re excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry.
As soon as Apple and Google approve the BBM app, customers will be able to communicate with others across different platforms. Android and iOS users will be able to add contacts through PIN, email, SMS, or QR code scan. Android users will also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.
Later this year BlackBerry will launch video and voice chatting for iOS and Android. Plus, BBM Channels will be added for iOS and Android customers to connect with celebrities, groups, and brands that they love.
The company plans to launch the BBM app this summer, pending approval from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
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