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BlackBerry: BBM still coming to iOS
It's a tough time for BlackBerry. On the heels of its recent financial problems, the company's long-delayed BBM messaging program looked like a bright spot. It finally seemed like it was going to be released on September 22 and, for a brief moment, it was. But disaster struck when an Android BBM .apk was leaked, creating security and server issues. The app was pulled from the iOS and Android stores and remains unavailable. But BlackBerry promises that BBM is still coming. This morning, they tweeted the following from the app's official Twitter page: Still 100% committed to bringing #BBM to Android and iPhone. Sign up at http://t.co/mr8J7pUDAT to know when #BBM4All - BBM (@BBM) September 30, 2013 As of press time, we have no information on when exactly BBM will finally be made available. Users who were able to download the iOS version last week will be able to continue using it in the meantime, while the Android version has been disabled. For those of you waiting with bated breath for BBM, here's a list of what you can look forward to with the iOS app once it launches: Instant Chat: • Immediately know when your messages have been delivered (D's) and read (R's) • Know when contacts are responding to your message • Say it with a variety of emoticons for every mood and emotion. Chat and Share with many at once: • Groups – Create or join a group and chat, share pictures lists, and appointments with the whole group. You can even be in a group with people who aren't part of your BBM contact list. • Multi-chat – Invite multiple contacts to participate in a chat together. • Broadcast – Send a message to multiple BBM contacts at one time. There's more to share with BBM: • Share voice notes • Share photos • Share URLs Personalize your Profile and keep it fresh: • Choose a different profile picture and update your personal status whenever you want, in an instant – so your profile will always reflect the way that you feel. • Profile pictures (avatars) can be updated using images, pictures or even animated pictures (GIFs). Stay in control: • With 2-way opt-in, you have control over who messages you. • Invites via PIN/QR mean that there is no need to share e-mail or phone number if you prefer not to, which provides control over how you are contacted. Coming Soon: BBM Channels, BBM Voice & BBM Video.
Inside look at BlackBerry reveals failed 'SMS 2.0' push, qualms over Z10 launch
We're familiar with much of BlackBerry's history, but there are a few unanswered questions: why did Jim Balsillie resign his board position, for example? And why did the Z10 launch ahead of Q10, to disastrous results? Thankfully, The Globe and Mail has addressed some of these mysteries through a detailed exposé. We now know that Balsillie left the board after BlackBerry axed an "SMS 2.0" plan that would have replaced carriers' text services with BlackBerry Messenger. Thorsten Heins wanted the company to remain focused on hardware, according to the newspaper. As for the Z10? Heins reportedly prioritized the all-touch phone over the objections of board members like Mike Lazaridis, who saw the Q10's keyboard as necessary for standing out in a crowded market. There's even more to the story than these two revelations, so you'll want to visit the source link if you're wondering just how BlackBerry ended up in such dire straits.
BlackBerry BBM messenger for iOS released, then pulled
Over the weekend BlackBerry released its BBM messenger app for iOS in some locales around the world. However, just hours later BlackBerry decided to pull it from available local App Stores and the Google Play store. This was done because an unreleased version of the Android version of BBM was leaked online, which caused security and operability issues to arise. Here's what the company said in a blog post announcing they've pulled the app: 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. When BBM for iPhone does go back online, here's what you can expect from the release: BBM™ is now here for iPhone. The best way to connect with anyone, anywhere for free. Download it now. Instant Chat: • Immediately know when your messages have been delivered (D's) and read (R's) • Know when contacts are responding to your message • Say it with a variety of emoticons for every mood and emotion. Chat and Share with many at once: • Groups – Create or join a group and chat, share pictures lists, and appointments with the whole group. You can even be in a group with people who aren't part of your BBM contact list. • Multi-chat – Invite multiple contacts to participate in a chat together. • Broadcast – Send a message to multiple BBM contacts at one time. There's more to share with BBM: • Share voice notes • Share photos • Share URLs Personalize your Profile and keep it fresh: • Choose a different profile picture and update your personal status whenever you want, in an instant – so your profile will always reflect the way that you feel. • Profile pictures (avatars) can be updated using images, pictures or even animated pictures (GIFs). Stay in control: • With 2-way opt-in, you have control over who messages you. • Invites via PIN/QR mean that there is no need to share e-mail or phone number if you prefer not to, which provides control over how you are contacted. Coming Soon: BBM Channels, BBM Voice & BBM Video. BBM for iOS is expected to be a free download, when available.
BlackBerry pauses BBM rollout for Android and iOS following leak
We hope you weren't scheduling your weekend around the launch of BBM for Android and iOS, as BlackBerry has paused the rollout following a leak of the Android version. There were too many simultaneous users, the company says; with over 1.1 million active clients in the first eight hours, the messaging service just wasn't ready to handle the load. There's no mention of when the BBM deployment will continue, although BlackBerry is disabling the unofficial Android build to prevent future problems. Unless you grabbed BBM's iOS version in the first several hours, you'll just have to be patient.
PSA: BBM for iOS rollout underway, Android version acting a little shy
It's been something of a mixed week for BlackBerry, but it's good news for those with an affinity for its BBM service (but an allegiance to other phones.) If you're over on the Apple side of the fence, it looks like rollout has begun, with BBM showing up on iTunes in New Zealand, with more territories sure to follow. Meanwhile, Android was set to land on the Play store at around 7am ET, but has yet to break cover. We'll keep an eye out, and update this post once it's live. Or, like many others, keep refreshing the source link until it shows up!
BlackBerry Messenger app arriving on Android and iOS this weekend
BlackBerry's effort to extend its messaging service beyond its own failed hardware has finally come to fruition. After some awkward false starts, plus a detailed leak, BlackBerry Messenger apps for iOS and Android will soon be available for download at the respective app stores, allowing members of those more popular ecosystems to do... well, chat-related things that they could largely do already, except now through BlackBerry's BBM servers. The company has confirmed that the Android BBM app will launch at 7AM ET on Saturday, while its iOS equivalent will be available beginning at 12:01AM local time (in each market) on Sunday. More details at the source link below.
BlackBerry exec confirms BBM for iPhone 'submitted for review two weeks ago'
Waiting to see when BBM will actually launch on other mobile platforms? According to a tweet from BlackBerry Senior Strategic Account Manager Alex Kinsella, the timing may be in Apple's hands. Stating "BBM for iPhone was submitted for review 2 wks ago #waiting", this might shift blame for any perceived delay -- summer ends September 21st in the northern hemisphere -- from Waterloo to Cupertino. It's a reminder of rumors that surfaced before Google launched its standalone Maps app on iOS, but unfortunately doesn't give us a firm date on when to expect the app. Still, with recent accidental leaks and video previews of the Android version, it shouldn't be much longer.
BBM for Android will look like this: beta tester gives you the tour (video)
BlackBerry Messenger's trip to iOS and Android is taking longer than we hoped, but when walkthrough videos are starting to leak out, it's a good sign that you're on the final stretch. Courtesy of JT and BlackBerryOS, we've now got an early peek of what it'll look like when the app eventually lands. Combining BBM's rigorous chat app with our favorite Android keyboards sounds mighty tempting and it appears the app follows the bezel-swiping navigation of the BlackBerry 10 OS to get to your chat threads and groups. The video walkthrough (included after the break) also touches on the ability to transfer contacts through NFC, which is good sign that the messaging app will make the most of these the new mobile OSes. Update: Within minutes of posting, the video's gone private. At least we'll have the memories, right? We're back!
BlackBerry landing page prematurely declares 'BBM for Android and iPhone is here'
BlackBerry's messaging tool doesn't appear to be live for Android and iOS just yet, but if this new landing page is any indication, the service is just about ready to launch. A new dedicated page with the banner "BBM for Android and iPhone is here," appeared under the company's Canadian domain this morning, along with an inactive link to download BBM for Android and another for iPhone. Further down the page are references to additional features that won't be included at launch, such as BBM Voice, BBM Video and screen sharing features, which instead are expected this fall. The page has since been removed, but it may reappear any minute/hour/day now at the source link below. [Thanks, Felix]
WSJ: BlackBerry mulling spinning off BBM subsidiary, considering desktop version
We'll say this, BlackBerry looks to be considering everything when it comes to pulling in revenue from its messaging service. False alarms aside, the company already let slip that BlackBerry Messenger is on its way to iOS and Android some time this season, and now according to The Wall Street Journal's usual gang of anonymous sources "familiar with the matter," the Canadian company is thinking of spinning off the service as a more independent subsidiary carrying the straight-forward name, BBM Inc. ahead of a potential sale. A desktop version of the app may be on the docket as well, according to the article -- BlackBerry, naturally, only reconfirmed its Android and iOS plans, refusing to comment on anything else.
Daily Update for August 1, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
BlackBerry begins BBM beta for Android (update: official comment)
Blackberry promised us back at BBLive that we'd see BBM on Android and iOS devices before the end of the summer. Well, we've hit the dog days of August, and while most of those devices are still BBM-free, it appears a select few Androids are finally getting to beta test the app. Blackberry OS reports that email invites are rolling out now to folks registered with BlackBerry's Beta Zone to test out BBM. Other than registration, users simply need a handset running Android 4.0 and up and they'll be messaging across the great platform divide in no time. We've reached out to the good people at BlackBerry for comment on the matter, and will update this post when we hear back. Update: We just got an official comment on the beta rollout, and it turns out the it had a limited number of slots, which have all been claimed: BlackBerry has begun internal testing of BBM on Android and iOS devices. We invited our employees to nominate friends and family to participate in a limited Android beta. Those slots are now full. For more information, please visit www.blackberry.com/bbm.
Daily Update for June 28, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
BlackBerry: BBM still scheduled to hit iOS
BlackBerry announced back in May that BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) would be coming to iOS later this summer. With July steadily approaching, we still haven't heard any specific details as to when we might expect to see BBM hit the App Store. Earlier today, however, BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins mentioned during an earnings conference call that BBM for iOS will, in fact, drop "before the end of the summer." I suppose that puts the release window, at the very latest, sometime in mid-late August. While I'm not sure how many iOS users are pining for BBM, it's worth noting that BlackBerry has stated that there are over 51 million active users who use BBM on a daily basis and that the service handles over 10 billion messages per day. If you happen to be one of those folks waiting to get your hands on BBM for iOS, some of the planned features include multi-person chats, and the ability to create BlackBerry Groups to share photos, calendars and other files with groups of up to 30 people.
BBM for iOS slated to arrive on June 27 (Updated)
Update: Note that T-Mobile UK has since deleted the tweet. BlackBerry has since confirmed that BBM for iOS will not be launching on June 27. Back in mid-May, we reported that BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) would soon be making its way to both iOS and Android as a free download. And now, thanks to a tweet from T-Mobile UK, it appears that BBM fans have something to look forward to on June 27. Now you might be wondering who exactly uses BBM anymore. Well, BlackBerry a few weeks ago noted that BBM continues to service more than 60 million active users per month and that BBM users send and receive upwards of 10 billion messages each day. So there is a market for it, apparently. BBM for iOS will only run on iOS 6 and will include features such as multi-person chats, voice note sharing and BlackBerry Groups. Twitter via Engadget
BBM expected to arrive on iOS and Android June 27th (update: nope)
BlackBerry Messenger may seem like a distant memory for many who have made the jump to iOS or Android, but it'll soon be time to get reacquainted. According to a tweet from T-Mobile UK, we should expect to see the service arrive on both platforms on June 27th. BBM should be available as a free download specifically for anyone using iOS 6 and Android 4.0 or above, so make sure your device is properly updated before the end of the month -- hopefully the messaging service will make you want to create new memories in addition to the ones you've relished in years past. Update: T-Mobile UK has since deleted its tweet, and BlackBerry has confirmed that the June 27th date is inaccurate. Update 2: Here is BlackBerry's official statement on the matter: On May 14th, BlackBerry announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share.
The Daily Roundup for 05.17.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Sorry iPad owners, BBM for iOS will be iPhone only
RIM announced earlier this week that BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is coming to both iOS and Android as a free download later this summer. While RIM's market share continues to plummet, the number of folks who still use BBM is rather impressive. In a post on BlackBerry's official blog earlier this week, RIM boasted that BBM services more than 60 million active users per month and that BBM users send and receive more than 10 billion messages each and every day. For iOS users excited to explore, or perhaps get reacquainted with BBM, I should point out that BBM for iOS will only work on iPhones running iOS 6. In other words, iPad owners need not apply. The news comes courtesy of Trusted Reviews which was able to get a direct statement on the matter from BlackBerry Software Portfolio head Vivek Bhardwaj. "Smartphone is our real focus and and again it comes back to what BBM is," Bhardwaj explained. "If you look BBM and the engagement and the activity, it's because it is mobile, because people are on the go." That's not to say that BBM for the iPad won't eventually see the light of day, but for the time being, BBM on smartphones appears to be the only thing on RIM's radar. Explaining the company's decision to avoid iPad and other tablets in order to focus the BBM app launch on smartphone devices, he stated: "When you start looking at tablets, computers and other screens, the usage model changes and behaviour changes. For us right now the absolute focus is getting BBM onto smartphones. As previously indicated, BBM for iOS will include the following features: The immediacy of BBM chats Multi-person chats Voice note sharing BlackBerry Groups, where BBM users are able to set up groups of up to 30 people and share calendar, photos, files and more
Hands-on with BBM Channels: BlackBerry's trojan horse social platform
"It's more like Tumblr." That's how one BlackBerry rep described BBM Channels to us, the company's new social networking service announced this past week at BlackBerry Live in Orlando. While Channels, alone, may initially seem like nothing new -- it's an iteration of a social communication model we've seem countless times before -- the service actually speaks more to BlackBerry's forward-facing strategy for BBM as a device-agnostic mobile solution. And, certainly, with the BBM messaging service heading to Android and iOS later this summer, BlackBerry only stands to gain from making its platform more robust, more engaging and more attractive to the big name brands, personalities and publications that draw followers. %Gallery-188638%
BBM app for iOS and Android won't run on tablets at first
Tablet users eager to hop on the BBM bandwagon with BlackBerry's standalone app will have to tamper down their enthusiasm. Vivek Bhardwaj, head of the BlackBerry Software Portfolio, told TrustedReviews that the company will focus exclusively on smartphones running iOS 6 and Android 4.0 or above for this summer's launch. "Smartphone is our real focus and again it comes back to what BBM is. If you look [at] BBM and the engagement and the activity, it's because it is mobile, because people are on the go," Bhardwaj said. Meaning, iPad owners will be bereft of a tablet-supported BBM app until BlackBerry sees fit to develop one. There might still be hope for BBM on larger screens at some point, though. Perhaps hinting at BlackBerry's plans for the future, Bhardwaj said, "I think when you look at things like Smart TVs and desktops, those are definitely areas for exploration."
