Blackberry rolls out BBM messenger for iOS

BlackBerry finally started rolling out its long-awaited BlackBerry Mssenger (BBM) app for other platforms on Sunday (Manila time), starting with users of Apple iOS devices.

 

However, a tech site noted the initial BBM app, available on iTunes starting early Sunday, is not without its issues.

 

The Next Web also said a version for Android may be due soon, even as leaked versions of the Android app have been spotted online.

 

A description of the app on iTunes said the app allows instant chat with other BBM users, along with sharing of voice notes, photos and URLs.

 

It also includes a two-way opt-in to have control over who messages a users. 

 

BBM's first iOS app requires iOS 6 or later and is optimized for the iPhone 5.

 

However, The Next Web said the app has its issues, though it did not immediately elaborate. It said the BBM for other platforms appears to be a "last throw of the dice" for BlackBerry, which had resisted calls to bring BBM to other platforms, but continues to suffer from poor sales.

 

The Next Web said that while BlackBerry claims there are over 60 million BBM users worldwide and 10 billion messages are sent and received daily, BBM is "dwarfed by its rivals."

 

It said WhatsApp has 300 million monthly active users who send 27 billion messages per day, while China’s WeChat has 235 million MAUs.

 

On the other hand, it said BlackBerry and Samsung are BBM in Africa, where BlackBerry smartphones are still popular, and the app might be significant for Samsung. – KDM, GMA News