The last time It’s Official: BlackBerry Messenger Is Coming To Android And iOS This Weekend It’s Official: BlackBerry Messenger Is Coming To Android And iOS This Weekend Popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service will be coming to iOS and Android this weekend. Android users will get the new app on Saturday evening EDT, with iOS users following at midnight in their local time. Read More BlackBerry said that BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) was releasing on Android and iOS, it turned out to be a dud. Well, the wait’s finally over as the popular instant messenger cum social network is finally available for download on both the Play Store and the App Store.
Apparently the demand for BBM was so high that BlackBerry started a “line-up system” for a smoother rollout. What this means is that once you download the app to your phone, you will have to enter your email address to “hold a spot in line”. When you’re at the front, BlackBerry will email you so you can register to get a PIN, which is your unique ID for your BBM.
“If you are among the millions that took the time to sign up at BBM.com, you can start using BBM immediately without waiting in line,” the company added.
At the moment, BBM works a lot like WhatsApp, in the sense that you can have one PIN on one device only. So if you wanted to install BBM on your iPad and also see the messages on your Android phone, you’re out of luck!
BBM features chat, file sharing (photos and voice notes), and group chats where you can invite up to 30 people. Much like a social network, you can set a profile picture, personal message, status message and send out a broadcast message to all your contacts. Currently, BBM Video Calling and BBM Voice Calling are not supported for Android and iOS, but are planned to be integrated in future updates.
The rollout isn’t worldwide though. “Samsung customers in Sub-Sahara Africa can download BBM today from the Samsung Apps store. iPhone and other Android users in Africa will be able to download the app in three days’ time,” BlackBerry said.
Get BBM for your phone or tablet on the Play Store or App Store.
Update: BlackBerry has said that there is no longer a waiting line to get your BBM fix, so just download and sign up to get your own PIN and chat with your friends!
Line up? What line up? #BBM4ALL pic.twitter.com/a6jdjc4E1Z
— BBM (@BBM) October 26, 2013
Source: BlackBerry blog
Good to see some waiting line for BB apps. We at Endeavour have been writing apps for the BB hardware for over a decade but are pained to see the transition of BB from hardware/software company to software company making products for former competitor's hardware.
ok, I like the new interface, but in the end, it still a messenger application.
Please make sure you check your info before posting. The information posted here is at least a week old. As every major and minor tech website has already stated- there is no longer a waiting list.
The app is not compatible with either of my devices I have an Samsung Galaxy Mini and Icona Tab A700
I don't see why so much ppl were so anxious for this app I mean I have Whats App and I don't see BBM doing anything Whats App can't do
@Brandon R
BBM can do a lot more things than WhatsApp.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/bbm-vs-whatsapp-and-the-winner-is-113102600305_1.html
@Chinmay not on Android, it can't (yet)
http://michel.sylvestre.me/post/the-bbm-woes-continue