While the app is not yet available for download, we can finally put the BBM release date rumors to rest. BlackBerry has confirmed that BBM will available for Android on September 21st and for the iPhone on September 22nd. Specifically, BBM for Android will be available from the Play Store at 7AM EDT and BBM […]
Earlier this year BlackBerry announced that it would finally bring its BlackBerry Messenger to both Android and iPhone. No release date was announced back then, there had been a lot of speculation about the release, which was initially promised for summer 2013. Moments ago BlackBerry officially announced the release dates, BBM for Android goes live on September 21st, for the iPhone on September 22nd.
BBM has always been exclusive to BlackBerry devices, but now it will be available as a free download from Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. Users will be able to chat with their friends who have BBM on their device, thus making this once BB only messaging service cross-platform. Users will be shown read reports and will also be able to see when the other person is responding to their message. They’ll also be able to share photos and voice notes. Multi-person chats are possible as well, BBM Groups allows users to invite as many as 30 friends to chat together. Users will have their own unique pin, so they won’t have to give out their number or email in order to add a contact on BBM. BBM for Android will be supported by devices that run Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. Only iPhones capable of running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will be able to support BBM. There will not be an iPad app at launch.
BBM For Android And iPhone Releases On September 21-22 Respectively original content from Ubergizmo. 
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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.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Blackberry
Source: BlackBerry
Samsung has been promoting BBM for Android pretty heavily due to a partnership between the companies where BBM would see itself preinstalled on some of Samsung’s Galaxy devices. Unfortunately it seems that Samsung might have gotten ahead of themselves and have recently claimed that the app would see a launch this Friday and that Samsung would be getting a 3 month exclusive on the app, meaning that other Android users on non-Samsung phones will have to wait.
Unfortunately that does not appear to be true as BlackBerry has since come forward to refute Samsung’s claims. Speaking to the folks at CrackBerry, BlackBerry’s BBM Communications Director, Victoria Berry, revealed that “no one will have an exclusive on offering BBM.” We’re not sure why Samsung jumped the gun there or claimed their exclusivity, but for those who were looking forward to it, it does not look like that will be happening.
BBM Will Not Be Exclusive To Samsung original content from Ubergizmo. 
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It was not too long ago when we brought you word that folks in Malaysia received an invite for an event that will be happening this coming September 18th, with speculation being traded around that this particular event could signal the introduction of the oft leaked BlackBerry Z30. Well, it seems that such an event is not going to happen in that part of the world alone, as BlackBerry did send out other invites for events on the same day in other countries, France and India included.
Who knows? This has led to speculations that point towards a highly anticipated BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) release for both Android and iOS platforms later this September 18th. After all, there were previous rumors that pointed out how a version of BBM will arrive at the corresponding App Stores by the end of this month. So, which do you think it is? Will it be a spanking new piece of hardware that will finally be announced later this September 18th, or will we see both iOS and Android mobile operating systems jump aboard the BBM bandwagon at long last? It might be difficult to see BlackBerry’s hardware business grow even if the Z30 does well, so perhaps they might want to pay more attention to software instead.
Blackberry Messenger For Android And iOS Launching This September 18th? original content from Ubergizmo. 
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We know that BBM for iOS and Android will be arriving and not too long ago the app was demonstrated live during the Toronto International Film Festival, and according to BlackBerry, the app has been submitted at least to Apple’s iTunes App Store about two weeks ago, suggesting that it won’t be long before we see its actual release. In the meantime it looks like Samsung has decided to keep up their advertising efforts of BlackBerry’s BBM app that will be arriving on Android (and thus Galaxy smartphone) devices as you can see in the screenshot above.
This is actually not the first time that we’ve seen Samsung advertise the app and it is probably due to their partnership where BBM will come preloaded on Android phones, although in the past Samsung Ghana did take down their ads, presumably because it might have been a little premature. In any case there’s still no specific release date for BBM, but BlackBerry did state in the past that they planned to release it by the end of summer. We’re not sure how successful the app will be given that there are a ton of other messaging apps out there that already allow for cross-platform messaging, such as WhatsApp, Skype, LINE, Viber, and etc. just to name a few. We’ll keep our eyes peeled so check back with us at a later date for the details.
Samsung Continues Promoting BBM For Android original content from Ubergizmo. 
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While BlackBerry did originally state that BBM for iOS and Android would be released by the end of the summer, no specific dates were mentioned, although an earlier rumor did suggest a release by the end of this month. Well for those still wondering about the fate of the app, you’ll be pleased to learn that the app has since been submitted to the Apple iTunes App Store, which means that it’s only a matter of time before it is reviewed and thus made available for download.
This was confirmed by BlackBerry’s Senior Strategic Account Manager, Alex Kinsella, who in a tweet confirmed that the app was submitted to Apple about two weeks ago. Assuming that is the case, we’re wondering why it is taking so long for Apple to review and approve the app. Kinsella did not mention anything about a Google Play Store submission, but hopefully the app will be released on both platforms simultaneously. BBM for iOS and Android was recently demoed at the Toronto International Film Festival, so hopefully we will be able to get a release date soon.
BBM Submitted To iTunes App Store Two Weeks Ago original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Word on the street has it that BlackBerry could be set to release BBM for iOS and Android towards the end of this month, and so far we’ve seen leaked screenshots along with videos that have since been removed. However we’re guessing that the app could be close to being released as BlackBerry has decided to demo the app in public during the Toronto International Film Festival. This is according to reports of those who went for the festival and noticed Android and iOS devices on display.
It turns out that this was a public demonstration of BBM running on iOS and Android and while no videos were allowed to be recorded, those who tried the app out claim that it is a pretty smooth experience. The UI for iOS and Android is said to not differ too greatly from the original app running on a BlackBerry smartphone, so for those who have transitioned from BlackBerry to iOS or Android, this should not be too foreign a concept for you guys.
The app is said to be on demo this week and is available for you to try out at the BlackBerry Experience building, so for those living in Toronto, you can hit it up and check it out for yourselves!
BBM For iOS And Android Demoed At Toronto International Film Festival original content from Ubergizmo. 
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The Android world was recently filled with news and leaks pointing to an impending release of the long-awaited BlackBerry Messenger app, but it appears that the iOS version has silently been progressing as well. BlackBerry has confirmed that the iPhone BBM app has been submitted for review and is just awaiting approval. BBM has had […]
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.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Apple, Blackberry
Via: Pocket-Lint, CrackBerry
Source: Alex Kinsella (Twitter)
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