BlackBerry Messenger App May Be Coming To Apple, Android Devices

Research In Motion (RIM) plans to develop its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app for Google's Android platform and perhaps even for Apple's iOS devices, according "multiple trusted sources" who dished to Boy Genius Report.

At the Mobile World Congress last month in Barcelona, BBM was named "App of the Year on the BlackBerry App World Platform." Were RIM to offer its messaging service across multiple platforms, the company could potentially shake up the mobile messaging landscape. Writes Techland, "By extending the BBM service to iPhone and Android handsets, BlackBerry would be able to leverage functionality that it arguably does better than anyone else--quick, simple group messaging--and potentially get users of these other platforms hooked on it."

But don't expect these rumored apps to be as robust as the native version. BGR explains,

As far as what Android and iOS users can look forward to, we've been told RIM will offer stripped down versions of the BBM experience BlackBerry owners know and love. That way, Android and iOS users can communicate with practically anyone who has a smartphone using BBM, but they might not be able to share photos, location, or videos (when RIM crosses that bridge). Users who want the full BlackBerry Messenger experience will still need a BlackBerry smartphone to get it. At the same time, RIM could own the entire messaging app category on every major smartphone OS platform and could potentially draw new users in because it has given them a taste of what BlackBerry Messenger is all about.

BGR's sources said that BlackBerry Messenger for Android "is definitely a go" and hinted at a 2011 launch date. Developing the app for Apple's handsets will be a little trickier, the sources said; thus, details about an iOS version are scanty for now.

Comments

[Jennifer Wade]

03:52 AM on 05/03/2011

blackberry has already announced that now android apps would work on blackberry playbook and this BB messenger app is an other cool news. I am BB messenger lover and i am surely going to use this app on my android tablet. Apps are the backbone for smartphones, iOS based and for android devices, apps are the major factor to grab users attention for example Angry Birds by Rovio or the one made by Ozitechnology named Android Seven (pro), these apps have made a big difference,

[PoliticallyAffiliated]

01:02 PM on 03/25/2011

Heck I'm switch my BB if that's the case!

[One Ra]

03:19 PM on 03/06/2011

Thats a bad sign actually for BB trying to go on other platforms...reminds me of Garmin and their GPS trying to have the Garminfone and lost their way at the end of the day...

[Blues02]

08:19 PM on 03/05/2011

Please let this be true. BBM is the only thing I miss from my old Blackberry.

[CubanVoice]

02:46 PM on 03/05/2011

Hope this happens. LOVED BBM and miss it on my droid.

[jrb35]

02:15 PM on 03/05/2011

I've never used a Blackberry so could someone explain to me what makes their messenger app so great? I can send messages to anyone or any group of people on my iphone in as long as it takes me to type. How is this an improvement?

[CubanVoice]

02:48 PM on 03/05/2011

Difficult to explain. I can do the same on my droid. But none of the instant messaging apps are as good as BBM. The look, the ease...Im not a techy but trust me, its great. Superior to all other ways of messaging that Ive tried.

[anthonytaurus]

11:03 AM on 03/07/2011

BBM is like sex. You don't know what you're missing til you get it. Once you do, BAM.. hooked. Then, when you leave BB, it's like the one major thing you miss about your ex that the new bf/gf can't get right.. hahahhaha.

It's just a very strong and robust messaging program. Besides the simple messaging part which everyone can do, I can send pic, files, voice notes, contacts, and my location if we're looking for each other. You can start groups for business, projects, or just family members. It's actually going to get better in the future with more social interaction.

I've used plenty of other IM apps and none of them can touch the level of interactivity of BBM.

[Cody Wetzel]

11:00 AM on 03/04/2011

This is cool. I love my BBM app and my wife and I communicate over it all the time.

A lot of corporations block text function on company Blackberry's because they don't want to pay for it. BBM is a great way around it and now I will be able to message most of my friends using it via BBM for droid.

[lizlenin]

12:18 AM on 03/04/2011

Zzzzzzzzz

[sexyReDD]

12:13 AM on 03/04/2011

I think having a BBM application on anything but a BlackBerry defeats the purpose. I thought the point of BBM was for only BlackBerry users to have access to it...

I was a die hard BlackBerry user until the beginning of the year. The only feature that kept me hooked was BBM. It's an awesome application, very addicting. The BlackBerry phones themselves are great at first, very user friendly, but they tend to glitch a lot with prolonged use (months-years). I grew weary of resetting my phone more than 3 times (average) per day because I got the hourglass of doom on my screen, or it froze while I was multitasking. I purchased a HTC Evo 4G and have never been happier with a device in my life. I love the Android operating system, can't see myself switching back to a Berry... Not even to cure my BBM withdrawals.

[GBO]

07:52 PM on 03/03/2011

I love BB!#

[HeliosOne]

03:35 PM on 03/03/2011

Snore... I don't even know anyone that still has a Blackberry

[Michael Interbartolo]

04:28 PM on 03/03/2011

I was actually surprised by the latest US data that shows 18-24 is 4% of the 27% Blackberry users in the US. so I guess the kids who got hand me down BB from their parents could try to convince their cooler friends who are on android (6% of 29%) and iOS( 4% of 27% also)

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/who-is-winning-the-u-s-smartphone-battle/

or it could be so the kids can message their parents who are still on corporate BBs.

[HeliosOne]

07:51 PM on 03/03/2011

I guess... I work for a big corporation that used to have Blackberries and now a lot of people use their iPhones and Android phones for corporate email too. I think Blackberry is starting to lose the war.

[gokulram arunasalam]

02:44 PM on 03/03/2011

But even now, you can use apps such as 'whatsapp' to communicate between Blackberry and Apple devices.