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BlackBerry taking 'serious look' at bringing BBM to desktops
Remember when BlackBerry was hesitant to let BBM wander to other platforms? So do we, but now that the company has committed to cross-platform support by pushing its messaging service to ecosystems like iOS and Android (including the Nokia X series), it isn't stopping there. Recently we've heard that it's heading to Windows Phone in the coming months, and in an interview with Reuters BlackBerry CEO John Chen mentioned that his team is "taking a very serious look" at bringing the service to the desktop as well. Such a move would make it possible to start a conversation on your PC and finish it on your mobile -- or vice versa. It's a logical strategy for BBM, which enjoyed an uptick of 20 million new users when the service launched on iOS and Android, but has stayed stagnant at 85 million monthly active users in the past month. It's hard to say if the addition of desktop support will trigger new growth, but given the breadth of platform availability, it will at the very least give users more incentive to stick around.
BBM to let you share photos in multi-person chats and transfer larger files
BlackBerry has been on a BBM roll lately, unleashing the messaging service on not just iOS and Android but Windows Phone as well. However, that's not all that's up the Waterloo company's sleeve. A new version of BBM is in the pipeline, and it'll have a few new features that will delight the BBM power users amongst you. For one thing, you'll finally be able to share photos in multi person chats, plus you'll get the ability to send files that are up to 16MB in size -- the current limit is 6MB. In a response to customer feedback, BlackBerry also promises that the size of the emoticons will be bigger. There's no clear timeline on just when this update will roll out, but we're just happy that BlackBerry has plans to improve its messaging app beyond mere stickers.
BlackBerry could turn BBM into a payments platform
BlackBerry's showing off its plans to woo back all of the customers who ditched it during the BB10 transition. In addition to two new handsets, the Canadian outfit is also considering turning BBM into a mobile payments platform in the emerging markets where it still has traction. In a chat with Re/code, enterprise chief John Sims said that BlackBerry is meeting with partners and "exploring the market." It wouldn't be the first time the company has waded into the mobile-money lake either, considering that it teamed up with an Indonesian bank to test BBM-based peer-to-peer fund transfers back in 2012. As long as it'll enable us to split the dinner bill without looking up from our phones, we're up for it.
BBM coming to Windows Phones this summer
BlackBerry is slowly, but surely covering all its bases in an effort to turn BBM into a cross-platform messaging monster. The quest to return the standard-bearer to its former glory started with iOS and Android, but this summer it'll be coming to Windows Phones as well. According to the Canadian company, it will ship with all the same functionality as its counterparts on other OSes, including stickers and voice. More importantly though, BBM Groups (which allows you to chat with up to 50 people at once) and Channels will be included as BlackBerry works to fight off challenges from the likes of WhatsApp and Hangouts. Sadly those are all the details we have for now, but hopefully Waterloo will lock down a release date sooner, rather than later.
Nokia announces the X and X+, its first Android phones
Nokia is officially launching its very first Android devices, known as the X and the X+, on stage at its annual Mobile World Congress press conference. We were all taken aback by the second (and third) device (since only one leaked), so it's incredible to see Nokia make such a huge foray into enemy territory. The X will have a 4-inch, 840 x 480 IPS screen, 512MB RAM, 4GB of storage expandable storage via microSD slot and 3-megapixel camera, while the X+ sports the same specs but more RAM (768 MB) and an included 4GB microSD card. You won't be getting Google's apps or Play store, however as both handsets will be based on the forked AOSP Android OS. Nokia says that'll have the advantages of the Android ecosystem, but with a "differentiated experience." So far, Here Maps, MixRadio, Skype and Outlook are being featured on the Nokia Store. You can access the Nokia and third party stores using the devices, but not Google Play, obviously. We've heard SwiftKey will be available on the Nokia X range (and for free, too), as will BBM, which is also coming to Windows Phone sometime "this summer." The new devices are featuring a ported version of FastLane for Asha devices as a sort of skin, to give a similar experience as its other budget handsets. When you swipe across it, it'll bring up a sort of notification bar showing recently used apps, missed calls and texts and other activities. During the demo, Elop showed both the Nokia Store and Yandex, where he pulled down Aero Express, a Russian-flavored app. The X will be available immediately in growth markets (ie, not the US) and run 89 euros. The X+, meanwhile, will run 99 euros but won't arrive until sometime in Q2 this year.
BBM beta now offers stickers, because that's really what it needs to catch up
Good news! BlackBerry has finally figured out how BBM will pose a threat to messaging giants like WhatsApp. It's... stickers. Yes, of all the things the company could do to improve its chat app, it's introducing the same sort of purely cosmetic decals that everyone else offers. As with rival services, those using a new BBM beta can buy themed sticker packs to express themselves in creative (and very cutesy) ways. In all fairness, the addition may help BlackBerry court younger chatters. However, we hope that the phone maker has a lot more up its sleeve than this -- me-too upgrades can only go so far.
BlackBerry Messenger now available to phones running Android 2.3
If you see BlackBerry announcing a million or so new users in the next few days, it's not because the company's finally seeing an increase in sales. It's because Alicia Keys' ex-employer has kept its promise to launch BBM for Android 2.3 on Google Play after weeks of beta testing. The previous Android version of the cross-platform messenger only worked on devices running Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) or higher, but existing users can now reach more of their friends. After all, Gingerbread still powers a large number of Android devices worldwide, since low-cost handsets are especially popular in developing markets. Unfortunately, Windows Phone users still have to sit out BBM convos, but those in Canada can at least demand BlackBerry donuts from friends as consolation.
Apple rejecting Flappy Bird knockoffs, and other news for Feb. 17, 2014
In a hopeful sign that the Flappy Bird craze is abating, Apple has begun rejecting apps that are knockoffs of the popular Flappy Bird game. You'll remember that the developer pulled the game last week, saying that its popularity was overwhelming. Since then, many knockoffs have appeared in the App Store, and several have been reached the top 10 free apps. The news of the blanket rejection of Flappy Bird clones started appearing on Twitter on Saturday. As TechCrunch notes, Apple isn't the only one rejecting Flappy Bird knockoffs. Google has started rejecting them in the Play store as well. In other news: T-Mobile's early upgrade Jump plan is going through some changes. Now customers will have to pay of 50% of their devices before they can upgrade. Users of the Apple Store app can get the official TETRIS app for free this week. Users must obtain the code in the Apple Store app to get it for free. BBM for iOS has been upgraded to version 2.0 with free voice calls over Wi-Fi to other BBM users.
BBM Channels and Voice come to Android and iPhone
BBM is about to become considerably more useful to Android and iPhone users -- even if they don't have many people on their contact lists. BlackBerry now says that its promised Channels and Voice support should reach the BBM apps for both platforms later today. As on BlackBerry 10, Channels lets you chat about hot topics with fellow users, whether or not they're already friends. Voice, meanwhile, does exactly what it says on the tin: you can make internet-based calls to your BBM buddies. Whether or not you find much use from these two biggest features, you may still appreciate other significant additions like Dropbox file-sharing integration, Glympse location sharing and expanded BBM Groups. We'll let you know when we see the Android and iOS upgrades reach their respective app stores.
BlackBerry targets developing markets with Gingerbread BBM app
BBM for Android has been installed millions of times since its (bumpy) launch, but that's not enough for the folks in Waterloo. Today BlackBerry has confirmed what many already suspected: it's planning to launch a version of BBM for phones still running Android 2.3 in February. Those first versions only ran on Ice Cream Sandwich or later, and BlackBerry has been not-so-quietly scouting for Gingerbread beta testers for at least two weeks. It's not hard to see why the company wants to branch out further, especially since it's dealing with pressure from buzzy messaging apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp. And while it might feel ancient, Gingerbread still powers over a fifth of active Android devices. Lots of those phones are sold at cut-rate prices across the globe, so BlackBerry has a shot at maintaining its messaging mojo in developing markets... though pumping out cheap Foxconn-made phones should help too.
BBM beta for Android gets Channels and voice chat
Android users who've enjoyed their first taste of BBM will want to visit the BlackBerry Beta Zone today. BlackBerry has just released a private beta of the messaging client that introduces promised Channels and Voice support, giving Android users the same social feeds and free WiFi calling as their BB10 bretheren. There's no mention of when the feature will reach either the public BBM build or its iOS equivalent, but it's clear that wider availability is close at hand.
BlackBerry bringing Channels and Voice Chat to BBM for Android and iOS next year
Remember how excited you were for BBM to hit Android and iOS and then BlackBerry continued to fake us all out with imminent releases? Thankfully, that's now all in the past and BBM is a reality for those of us not on BB10 devices, but still its feature set leaves something to be desired. The good news is that BlackBerry intends to flesh out BBM in 2014, though not just for the app. So what's up ahead? Arguably, the most significant changes are coming to Android and iOS users in the form of BBM Voice and BBM Channels. Think of BBM Voice as you would Skype or Google Hangouts -- it's essentially a way for you to chat with your contacts without touching your allotment of minutes. And Channels, if you'll remember from our preview this past summer, is basically BlackBerry's spin on the social network. Both are already available for current BBM users running BB10, so this addition really just brings the rest of BBM's outsider base up to speed. BlackBerry's also looking to make sharing with BBM a less cumbersome process in the new year. Though the company hasn't elaborated fully on just how it intends to make photo and voice note sharing that much speedier, it seems as if the process will soon require less fussy UI interactions. Users will even be able to divulge their whereabouts with BBM, albeit on a temporary basis and make use of over 100 new emoticons. All of this is coming "in the next couple of months," so if you need something to sate your curiosity now, check out the video after the break.
BBM Channels launches today for BlackBerry smartphones
BlackBerry's tentative step into the world of feed-based social networking, BBM Channels, is at last leaving beta. As of 3PM Eastern, those with BlackBerry 10 and classic BlackBerry OS devices can use the Tumblr-like service for themselves, subscribing to content feeds from both major providers and their friends. Android and iOS users, meanwhile, will have to sit tight -- BlackBerry says that Channels support for their platforms is arriving in the "coming months."
BBM adds iPad and iPod support, Android and iPhone apps get new features
When BlackBerry Messenger for iOS and Android first launched it was only available for iPhones and Android handsets, but it doesn't look like too many people were left out: BBM was downloaded more than 10 million times in its first 24 hours. That said, even more people will be able to use it starting today: BlackBerry just announced the iOS app will now support iPods and iPads too, assuming you're using iOS 6 or higher. Additionally, the company pushed out bug fixes that should address two major problems: unusually high battery drainage (that's on Android), as well as a glitch that led to missing contact names (this was a problem with the iOS app). On both platforms, BlackBerry has made it easier to find friends who are also using BBM. You'll also get more options for sharing your BBM code. In the Android app, specifically, it should now be easier to sort and filter BBM group lists. Meanwhile, the iOS application has been updated with improved support for right-to-left languages. And that about sums it up -- be sure to hit up the download links below. Because really, who doesn't like a few bug fixes?
BBM has gained 20 million new active users since the app was released
The troubled rollout of BlackBerry's BBM messaging app for iOS, coupled with its recent business issues, had some pundits doomsaying about the company's future. We may have had a few thoughts on the matter here at TUAW. But ultimately the only opinion that matters is the customer base, and it is happy -- and growing. Since the rollout of BBM for iOS and Android, BlackBerry has gained 20 million active users for a total of 80 million users. Andrew Bocking, EVP of BBM, has this to say about the gains. It is great to see so many people downloading BBM, but the true measurement for us is engagement – the connections being made and the conversations in which our BBM community engages. BlackBerry points specifically to the active user numbers as a point of pride. The difference between bragging about downloads and bragging about active users is stark. Later on in his statement, Bocking explained why. The power of BBM has always been the active, real conversations and interaction that our customers enjoy. From here on out, we will focus on active users of BBM and will no longer focus on simple download numbers." The company plans on adding new features to the BBM app in the coming months, including video calling, voice calls and a new social community service for connecting with other BBM users.
BBM for Android and iOS notches more than 10 million downloads in 24 hours
By the looks of BlackBerry's stats, millions were not only unfazed by BBM's launch hiccup on Android and iOS, but were also excited to get the app. The company formerly known as RIM says that BBM has been downloaded more than 10 million times within 24 hours since its release on the platforms. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean there are now 10 million devices out there sending and receiving BlackBerry-flavored messages: a boatload of people, including this editor, are still waiting for activation emails before they can even take it for a spin. BBM Video, Voice and Channels haven't made it to the application just yet, but they -- along with other features -- are still on the roadmap. Here's hoping the company's servers can continue handling the onslaught of users.
BlackBerry announces 5 million downloads of BBM for iOS and Android
After only eight hours of availability, BlackBerry has announced that its BBM app for iOS and Android has been downloaded 5 million times. That number is impressive, considering that it only applies to those that have downloaded and activated the app on their mobiles. The announcement came via a tweet: Next 5 million in line - your turn! Open up BBM and click "I got the email" to get started on #BBM right away! The email BlackBerry mentions in the tweet refers to its staggered rollout of the app. Though anyone can download it at any time, BlackBerry has placed a limit on how many people can activate the app, so as to not overwhelm its servers with traffic. Currently BBM is the number one free app in the App Store. BBM for iOS is a free download.
The ridiculous BlackBerry Messenger rollout reminds us why the company is circling the drain
Every time I see someone on Twitter or Facebook talking about BlackBerry Messenger on iPhone, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. It's out, but it's not. It's working fine, but it isn't. And you can download it right now, but you have to wait in line. Please, please tell me this is just some sort of elaborate, not-at-all-funny joke. As though we needed another reason to think that RIM's Blackberry's management is incompetent, we now have a poorly-handled software launch to pin on them as well. Way back in 2007 I actually owned a BlackBerry and, truth be told, BBM was probably the only decent thing about it. It had read receipts (which were fancy for a mobile device at the time) and it was fast. It was great for its time, but these days just about every messaging client on the App Store -- not to mention iMessage -- can do everything the BBM app can do. I'm tempted to chalk this seemingly absurd BBM hunger by iPhone owners as nostalgia run wild, because unless you have BlackBerry-toting friends and you're feeling left out, there's literally zero reason to bother downloading it. If, for some reason, you feel that switching your digital social interactions to BBM is a good idea, keep these bullet points in mind: You'll need to exchange PINs with everyone you wish to chat with. This is great for avoiding spam, but tedious to get groups of friends to commit to. You can only be logged into your PIN on one device at a time, so if you have an iPhone and an iPad, you'll need to choose which one you want to receive BBM messages on. If you log into one device with your PIN, it will log you out of the other. Remember, this is BlackBerry. The company could change hands at any moment, and with it, any and all support of BBM for iPhone. And then there's the wait list. The fact that we're even talking about a wait list for an instant messaging client is beyond absurd. The company is flat out begging users to "count on" them, but it can't successfully launch the messaging service they've built their entire brand around on a pair of new platforms? I'm pretty sure SnapChat has scaled better than BlackBerry is even capable of, and that app is almost exclusively used for sending dirty photos. Not that any of this should come as a surprise -- you can't layoff 40% of your company and then pretend that it's business as usual. Oh, I'm sorry, we're talking about BlackBerry, so of course they can pretend that. Just the same way they spent the past half decade pretending that they were somehow in an untouchable land where business customers need physical keyboards and consumers want their devices to be as obtuse as possible. I signed up for BBM and I'm currently waiting for my turn to use it. Like some sort of digital soup kitchen, BlackBerry will open its doors to me at some point and allow me to sample its expired goods. When that day comes, I'll remember how big of a pain in the ass it is to exchange PINs with my friends and delete the app, which is exactly what anyone with a smartphone in 2013 should do. Thanks to @LondonComp for the reminder that RIM is no longer the corporate name of Blackberry.
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BBM for iOS available, but you might have to wait in line
BlackBerry's rollout of BBM for iOS and Android has been shaky to say the least. The app was announced in May and delayed. Then released, pulled and delayed again. Today BlackBerry has announced that BBM is finally ready. However, to ensure there isn't a repeat of September's problematic release, there's a bit of a process. The September release was plagued by security and server issues thanks to a leak of the Android .apk. To combat this, BlackBerry has instituted a queue for the BBM app. If you have already signed up for the app, you can get access to BBM right now. The rest of us will have to get a place in line, and wait until you receive an email confirmation from BlackBerry. It may be an annoying step, but given how long BlackBerry fans have been waiting, it's a minor inconvenience. You can find BBM in the App Store right now.
BlackBerry resumes BBM launch for Android and iOS
BlackBerry is at last ready to resume its paused BBM rollout for Android and iOS. The instant messaging client should reach the App Store, Google Play and certain Samsung Apps portals within the next few hours. Not everyone can start chatting right away, however. To prevent a repeat of last month's server troubles, the company is implementing a queue system: those who signed up in advance can use BBM right away, while latecomers will have to secure a spot in line. It's not quite the broad launch many were hoping for, but it is good news for a company that has lately been feeling down.
