BlackBerry launches BBM for Android, iPhone
Posted October 21, 2013 4:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BlackBerry has officially launched its popular messaging service for Android and iPhone.
BBM was released for download on Monday on Google Play, the App Store and in select Samsung App Stores.
BlackBerry says new users can enter their email address as a placeholder after downloading the app.
The user will then be contacted when they reach the front of the line and can begin using BBM.
The smartphone-maker says it is using a line-up system to ensure the roll-out runs smoothly.
“We are bringing the most engaging mobile messaging platform to all, with our BBM launch for Android and iPhone,” the company said in an open letter on Twitter Oct. 14. “There are already around six million customers pre-registered to be notified of our roll out.”
Those who signed up early for the service can start using it immediately.
BlackBerry had previously stated that 70 per cent of its customers used BBM.
The Waterloo, Ont.-based company has struggled this year after announcing a US$965-million loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and are cutting its global workforce by 4,500.
Sales of its latest smartphones failed to catch fire and some carriers decided not to sell BlackBerry’s new Z30 smartphone.
Rogers Communications —the parent company of CityNews and CityNews.ca — reversed its decision not to sell the Z30 last week following a backlash from customers on message boards and Twitter.
Fairfax Financial, BlackBerry’s largest shareholder, has made a conditional takeover bid worth US$9 per share and values the company at US$4.7 billion.
The Fairfax consortium is expected to complete its due diligence by Nov. 4. Until then, BlackBerry is allowed to actively solicit and evaluate rival offers.
BlackBerry co-founders Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin have said they are looking at making a potential takeover bid.
According to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the two are “interested in pursuing a joint bid” with “the goal of stabilizing and ultimately reinventing the company.”
Together, Lazaridis and Fregin own roughly an eight per cent stake in BlackBerry, while Fairfax holds about 10 per cent.
With files from The Canadian Press
