BBM for Android and iPhone

Reports indicate BBM for Android is back in closed beta testing

BBM for Android and iOS is now back in closed beta testing, according to reports.

IBNLive has an image showing a download page for BBM, though doesn't explain where it came from. It shows in the download description for v71 that beta testing has been re-enabled.

The move comes nearly two weeks since BBM for Android and iOS failed to launch as expected, to the dissapointment of many who were eagerly anticipating the messaging service being enabled on non-BlackBerry handsets.

The terminated launch came after a beta build of BBM for Android leaked online, although BlackBerry hasn't explained precisely why having an unofficial build doing the rounds is cause to slam the brakes on.

While BlackBerry has re-iterated that BBM for Android and iOS is still on the way, the fact that it is re-entering closed beta suggests there may be a little while to go yet before it finally arrives.

October 1 2013

BBM for Android and iPhone is still in rollout hell, and BlackBerry has no updates about when the application will be landing. It was meant to land last weekend and yet here we are –– over a week later –– and we still know nothing about when BBM will be getting launched.

Last week we were told that it would be at least a week before the IM client started rolling out. But now – a week and a bit later – we’re still none the wiser about when BBM will be landing inside Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

KYM reached out to BlackBerry for a update on the rollout –– like, is it happening this week or next week or next month –– and we were pointed to BlackBerry’s last update on its Inside BlackBerry blog, which was published on September 23 (you can read that below). 

BlackBerry has confirmed BBM is still coming to Android and the iPhone via its official Twitter account. The company has yet to give a concrete timeframe, however. 

Once released, BBM will go into direct competition with services like WhatsApp on Apple and Google’s mobile platforms. Interestingly, WhatsApp now boasts around 200 million users, according to The Telegraph, versus BBM’s 60 million. 

BlackBerry hasn’t discussed expected adoption rates thus far, but a look at the gross figures show that BBM has a long way to go before it catches up with WhatsApp. Still, 1 million downloads of the leaked APK is a pretty decent start. 

The leaked version of BBM was apparently downloaded 1.1 million times, according to reports. BBM did appear in the App Store in some regions, but the release has now been delayed. 

Users who did manage to download BBM via the App Store will still be able to use it, although BlackBerry has now disabled the leaked Android version.

Here’s BlackBerry’s official statement: 

“Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already - more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app - is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day. 

“Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.

“As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to www.BBM.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone. These issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.”

Although BlackBerry did not elaborate on the cause of these "issues", security expert Graham Cluley suggested that BlackBerry may not have been able to cope with the spike of activity hitting its servers, reports The Telegraph. 

"What seems, in part, to have tripped up BlackBerry is the poorly-policed free-and-easy Google Play Android app store, where multiple BBM apps, posing as official releases, appeared," he said.

"Most Android users assume that if an app is in the official Google Play store, it must be official and safe to install on their phone. The truth, sadly, is rather different."

Writing on Inside BlackBerry, Andrew Brocking has now provided the following update about what BlackBerry is up to re: BBM for Android and iPhone: 

"The team is now focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app. We are also making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future. While this may sound like a simple task – it’s not. This will take some time and I do not anticipate launching this week."

We'll update this story as soon as we know more about when BBM will be launching.

BBM for iPhone Review

BBM for iPhone did launch in some reasons last weekend, and one of the first reviews of the IM client has now appeared online. ThinkDigit managed to download the app and has now published a review of the application, which it gave 4.5-out-of-5 –– not too shabby then.

Below is an extract from the tech blog’s evaluation of BBM for iPhone:

“Not a revolutionary messenger app by any means, but in an ecosystem filled with messenger clients, it comes across as one of the slickest options. This probably is the best thing that could happen to all users who wished to switch platforms, but the BBM friends list held them back. Equally, the friendships can be rekindled with those who stayed back, while you moved on to an Android smartphone or an iPhone.

“Initial issues remain, but the BBM client on the iPhone is very similar to what we saw on the BlackBerry Z10 - which means functionality and usability will be a breeze. You cannot download BBM right now on iOS and Android due to various issues, but the moment it becomes available again, we would urge you to give it a shot.”

BBM for iPhone demoed in “hands on” video

While the majority of people are still waiting to get their hands on BBM for Android and iPhone, some users – in a few regions – have now got access to the cross-platform IM application.

BlackBerry is steadily rolling out the iPhone version of BBM to certain regions. It’s yet to land in the UK but iMore has a pretty detailed video first look of the application running on an iPhone.

“It looks just as you'd expect and mirrors the current version of BBM on BlackBerry. BBM includes chat, groups, file sharing and various settings to play around with,” said the report.

Check out the first look at BBM below:

Sept 18 2013

BlackBerry confirms BBM for Android and iPhone release date

BlackBerry has confirmed the release date for BBM for Android and iOS. In a statement to the press BlackBerry outlined the release date for both platforms as well as some of the features we’ll see once the IM client goes live.

BBM for Android will get a release date on September 21 and the IM client will come to Apple’s iPhone on September 22.

“BBM is a very engaging messaging service that is simple to use, easy to personalize and has an immediacy that is necessary for mobile communications,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry.

“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.”

BBM for iPhone and Android will initially include chat, photo and voice note sharing, multi-person chats with up to 30 people, and the ability to post status updates and personal messages. However, BlackBerry says the apps will get BBM Channels in a future updates. Although there's still no word on when it is coming to Windows Phone. 

BlackBerry highlighted the following features of BBM inside the release: 

BBM Chat – Enjoy real, immediate conversations with friends on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. Not only does BBM let you know that your message has been delivered and read, it also shows you that your friend is responding to the message. 

More than chat – With BBM you can share files on your phone such as photos and voice notes, all in an instant.

Keep your group in the loop – Multi-person chats are a great way to invite contacts to chat together. BBM Groups lets you invite up to 30 friends to chat together, and go a step further than multi-chat by sharing photos and schedules. And, with Broadcast Message, you can send a message out to all your BBM contacts at once.

Post Updates and stay in the know – BBM lets you post a personal message, profile picture and your current status, and lets your contacts know instantly in Updates.

Your unique PIN – Every BBM user has a unique PIN that maintains your privacy, so you don’t have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact.

And here's some pictures of what BBM for Android and iOS will look like: 

BBM will be available as a free download for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) beginning at 7AM EDT on September 21. BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01 AM local time on September 22. For more information, or to download BBM for Android or iPhone, visit www.BBM.com.

BlackBerry Z30 announced – no word on BBM for Android and iOS

BlackBerry has unveiled the BlackBerry Z30, the most powerful phone the company has ever produced. But sadly there was no mention of when BBM for Android and iOS would become available. Previous reports had suggested BBM for Android would launch on September 18, which, of course, is today.

That’s looking rather unlikely now. But multiple sources seem convinced a release is nigh – some even speculate it could happen on September 20. There was also talk of Samsung getting a three month exclusive on the cross-platform IM service, but that rumour has now been put to bed.  

A BlackBerry representative has responded to the internet chatter, issuing a statement toCrackBerry and confirming that the app will be available to both Android and iOS at the same time.

Victoria Berry, BlackBerry's communications director, said, "The excitement around the upcoming BBM launch on iPhone and Android devices seems to know no bounds. Although I’m a big fan of this passion, I want to clarify that no one will have an exclusive on offering BBM. We’ll be bringing the app to Android and iPhone users across the globe soon.”When it does finally hit Google Play, BlackBerry has confirmed the app will be available to all Android handsets running Ice Cream Sandwich and higher. 

Rumours. Rumours. Rumours. When it comes to BBM for Android and iOS there are plenty. But today’s update does look a little more solid than some of the other guff we’ve seen during the past month or so. Blackberry will apparently launch BBM cross-platform on September 20 via an event in Jakarta – and there’s even an invite. 

The report comes, once again, via CrackBerry – one of the web’s best resources for all things BlackBerry. Below is the apparent roll-out schedule for BBM to Android and iOS. Looks like September 20 could well be on the money… 

• Friday, Sept 20th, 7am EST: Android version published on Google Play
• Friday, Sept 20th, 7am EST: BBM.com goes live
• Friday, Sept 20th, 7am EST: CRM messages sent out to pre-registrants
• Friday, Sept 20th, 7am EST: Follow-up CRM message sent out after full App Store deployment
• Saturday, Sept 21st: BBM on iOS becomes available 12:01am EST in local time zones.