BlackBerry BBM free on iPhone

After a decade-long break, back-from-the-dead smartphones-maker BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB) has been super-active this year.

It has, today, launched the BlackBerry Q5, its third smartphone launch this year, with all three running on the new BlackBerry 10 platform.

In addition, President and CEO Thorsten Heins has just announced that BBM would become a multi-platform messaging service, which means that the patented service will now be available on more than just BlackBerry.

The BBM messaging service will land on the iPhone, as well as Android smartphones this summer with the messaging and groups features. BBM Voice, screen sharing, video and channels will be rolled out later, he said.

Which in effect means that we will no longer have to have a BlackBerry smartphone to enjoy the BBM service. Our iPhones, as well as Galaxys and other smartphones running on Android will do the trick too. 

READ: Believe this: Apple just patented BlackBerry’s BBM app for iPhone 6!

BlackBerry announced plans to make  its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users for free this summer, with support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher (subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play).

BBM sets the standard for mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, engaging experience that includes delivered and read statuses, and personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM customers would be able to broaden their connections to include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile platforms.

In the planned initial release, iOS and Android users would be able to experience the immediacy of BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people.

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“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.

BBM is loved by customers for its “D” and “R” statuses, which show up in chats to let people know with certainty that their message has been delivered and read. It provides customers with a high level of control and privacy over who they add to their contact list and how they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.

BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers, with more than 51 million people using BBM an average of 90 minutes per day. BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day as compared to other mobile messaging apps. Almost half of BBM messages are read within 20 seconds of being received; indicating how truly engaged BBM customers are.

READ: Transparent iPhone 6 confirmed by Apple Inc.

Today, BlackBerry also announced BBM Channels, a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow customers to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about. BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play.

If approved by Apple and Google, the BBM app will be available as a free download in the Apple App Store and Google Play store. 

For a company that sat on its laurels for almost 10 years, the year 2013 has been nothing short of miraculous, with the company changing its name (from Research in Motion), launching a brand new platform (BlackBerry 10), and with the latest BlackBerry Q5, the number of phones it has unveiled in the past four months or so totals three.

With a QWERTY keyboard, the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone is in fact a watered-down and affordable sibling of the BlackBerry Q10.

Heins has just revealed the Q5 device onstage at BlackBerry Live. The Q5’s Instant Action shortcuts help users type faster and therefore perform tasks faster. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone comes with a classic QWERTY keyboard for optimized communications but sports a 3.1” touchscreen, similar to the Q10.

Highlights include the BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker, both of which add layers of features that will help users create the picture perfect shot (with the Time Shift mode) and then create and share the story, weaving together photos, videos and music into a movie with the BlackBerry Story Maker.

The BlackBerry World (its app store) has just crossed the 120,000-apps-mark, and all of those are available for download on the BlackBerry 10-powered Q5 smartphone.

Here’s what Thorsten said in a media statement: “BlackBerry is excited to bring the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone to our customers in selected markets around world. The BlackBerry Q5 gives you the best of everything with its cutting-edge BlackBerry 10 functionality and a physical QWERTY keyboard. It is for youthful fans that are passionate, confident and bold, and it makes it easy for them to have fun, create, share and stay connected.”

Pricing and Availability

The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone will be available in selected markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia (including the Asia Pacific region), and Latin America, with availability beginning in July.

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