BBM to other devices

[Derick]

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s evidently what Research In Motion is thinking after it was revealed that their popular BlackBerry Messenger app would be making its way to both Android and iOS devices.

BlackBerry Messenger already has a long list of devoted fans that absolutely swear by its functionality, and this move will likely increase the amount of faithful users in camp BlackBerry.

While there are still no details surrounding the release date or the pricing structure, its looking like RIM is aiming for a piece of the Apple pie…

The first question that might pop into your head is why? Why port a feature to a competitor’s device when it’s one of the primary reasons that people stick with BlackBerry hardware?

It’s as simple as economics and branding. There are quite a few copycat apps out in the wild that have “borrowed” some of BBM’s key features; they’ve become very popular as a result. RIM is seeing that as money that they’re leaving on the table

Another reason is mindshare. When’s the last time an iOS user even thought about BBM? The day they sold their BlackBerry Storm for an iPhone? Never?

RIM is seeing this as an opportunity to get the BlackBerry vernacular back in the minds and hearts of iOS users, even if they’re not using their hardware.

Again, there are still no solid details on pricing or a release date for RIM’s iOS debut, but I imagine that it’ll be here sooner than later.

Sounds like a good idea by RIM; frankly, it’s the first good thing I’ve seen or heard out of RIM for quite some time.

[JDubb]

I heard about this also this morning. The thing that worries me is "pricing has not been determined."

[Chip]

Does this mean we'll be ditching Cnected?
It better not cost more then $1.50

[michaelangelo]

Does this mean we'll be ditching Cnected?
It better not cost more then $1.50

only if it has the group feature

[Pete Nice]

If it is the exact same thing, adios blackbery, hello android.

[Chip]

If it is the exact same thing, adios blackbery, hello android.

It's about time.
And just in time for 4G.
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/01/10/cha...ne-lineup/
http://androidroid.com/verizon-4g-phones...ionic-lg/#

[Beckster]

Cool. I like BBM chat better anyway.

[i bleed green]

If it is the exact same thing, adios blackberry, hello android.

This why I'll believe it when I see it. I hope they do. I frickin hate Cnectd. How hard is it to make an app that doesn't take twenty seconds to go into a conversation?

[Pete Nice]

If it is the exact same thing, adios blackberry, hello android.

This why I'll believe it when I see it. I hope they do. I frickin hate Cnectd. How hard is it to make an app that doesn't take twenty seconds to go into a conversation?

Cnectd blows goats. I deleted it off my phone so it wouldn't take up memory space. I still have it on my ipod touch, can't wait to do away with it all together.

[Horsekack]

Has anyone heard any new news about the bbm app for multiple platforms? I'm curious because I have missed bbm since I switched from my berry!

[Hondo]

Good thing you guys aren't looking for BBC.

Android is kicking Blackberry's ass.

[Pete Nice]

BBC will be cross platform soon enough, but not yet. Blackberry has not done ANYTHING right in over 4 years. Android blows them away. If they got their shit together and invested in their future a little bit, they would own the market again. Their new tablet, can't even be used w/o a blackberry phone also. My buddy who works for verizon told me that last night, what an idiotic move.

[Hondo]

Too late. They've lost their momentum and between the overwhelming superiority of Android and Apple cutting the price on the 3GS to $49 RIM is hosed.

Oh and you totally missed the BBC reference

[i bleed green]

Too late. They've lost their momentum and between the overwhelming superiority of Android and Apple cutting the price on the 3GS to $49 RIM is hosed.

Oh and you totally missed the BBC reference

I might buy one for that price just to have an iTouch. Is that with a contract?

[Hondo]

2 years. Screw Apple though. I wouldn't buy anything they make. Their proprietary crap and the way they lock things down is bullshit. iTunes? No fucking way man.