From this weekend, users will no longer need to own a Blackberry device to access its BBM messaging service.
Blackberry has confirmed BBM will be available as a free download for Apple and Android devices but not for Windows phones.
The move comes as the Wall Street Journal reports that Blackberry will lay off 40% of its staff before 2014.
Widening the appeal of BBM could be a clever way for the company to reinvent itself, said experts.
"Blackberry is having a tough time, sales are down, it is losing market to Windows phones and it needs to do something to stop the rot. This is as good a move as any," said Chris Green, principal technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group Europe.
"Offering it across other platforms broadens the appeal of BBM," he added.
The messanging will be available for Android devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean while iPhones running iOS 6 or iOS 7 can also download it.
"With more than a billion Android, iOS and Blackberry smartphones in the market, and no dominant mobile messaging platform this is absolutely the right time to bring BBM to Android and iPhone customers," Andrew Bocking, vice-president for BBM, was quoted as saying.
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Nice one
ReplyDeleteQuite nice. But they should also make a dual sim blackberry. That will bust their market in Africa generally and Nigeria in particular.
ReplyDeleteCool now I can dump my stupid blackberry phone running on a ten year old technology. BBM was the only reason I still had it anyway
ReplyDeleteA dual sim Blackberry would be nice.
ReplyDeleteOtokpa, there is a difference between 'Boost' and 'Bust'. #JustSaying
ReplyDeleteAm damn not just happy with that, if others can access BBM on their phone so what's the pride in blackberry again? Mtcheeeeeeew
ReplyDeleteOh u ar using ur phone because of pride? Sammy u dey funny o
DeleteI really dont see any pride in owning a blackberry phone. U definitely cant compare a blackberry phone to android phones like the Samsung Galaxy series. That where the pride in owning a phone lies.
DeleteSelfish man!
DeletePeople will stop buying black berry...... Many still have it because of the so called bbm. E.g me. Am dumping it now for andriod phone.
DeleteTypical Niaja, so you don't want others to enjoy bbm ,pride !!! Mumu
ReplyDeletehahahaha nwaooooo
ReplyDeleteGet it right dudes, the BBM on androids is not just for any androids like tecno and other phones with OS 2.0, 2.1 and so on. OS 4.0 upwards can use it.
ReplyDeletenow my Techno Phantom A+ will rock like MJ. good news.
ReplyDeletePoor u Sammy, try android OS n u will regret ur time wasted on BlackBerry. Typical nigerian mentality that is why the country is always going from bad to worse. Travel out and see.
ReplyDeleteSorry Sammy u don buy market
ReplyDelete