BlackBerry's venerable messaging platform to hit Samsung's devices. by Brian Bennett August 5, 2013 9:22 AM PDT Would a cross-platform version of BlackBerry Messenger benefit RIM? (Credit: BlackBerry.com) It seems like it was ages ago when BlackBerry dropped the news that BBM would find a home on Android handsets. Apparently the wait is about to end, at least for owners of Samsung Galaxy phones. A new report from the folks at N4BB claims Samsung has officially committed to the messaging app. Specifically BBM addicts will be able to download BlackBerry Messenger software via the Google Play store, "soon". With BBM, Galaxy users will have access to their BBM accounts including BBM chats and BBM Groups. Related stories BlackBerry 10 users: Update ate our text messages BlackBerry, Mozilla fighting bugs with 'Peach' BlackBerry lays off 250 workers in Canada It also appears that BBM functionality will be integrated in Samsung devices through a Samsung messaging hub. Whether this means Sammy customers will be treated to a UI similar to the BlackBerry Hub, basically a unified inbox on steroids, remains to be seen. Frankly it's one the best features on BB10 in my humble opinion and a skill Android phones would do well to assimilate. BlackBerry unveiled plans to offer BBM on iOS and Android in May 2013. (Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET) So what's the catch? Outside of the vague availability date, it looks like BBM will only be served up in Africa (at least for now). That's definitely a bummer to potential BBM adopters on Galaxy devices occupying many corners of the globe.
BlackBerry's venerable messaging platform to hit Samsung's devices.
Would a cross-platform version of BlackBerry Messenger benefit RIM?
(Credit: BlackBerry.com)
It seems like it was ages ago when BlackBerry dropped the news that BBM would find a home on Android handsets. Apparently the wait is about to end, at least for owners of Samsung Galaxy phones.
A new report from the folks at N4BB claims Samsung has officially committed to the messaging app. Specifically BBM addicts will be able to download BlackBerry Messenger software via the Google Play store, "soon". With BBM, Galaxy users will have access to their BBM accounts including BBM chats and BBM Groups.
Related stories
- BlackBerry 10 users: Update ate our text messages
- BlackBerry, Mozilla fighting bugs with 'Peach'
- BlackBerry lays off 250 workers in Canada
It also appears that BBM functionality will be integrated in Samsung devices through a Samsung messaging hub. Whether this means Sammy customers will be treated to a UI similar to the BlackBerry Hub, basically a unified inbox on steroids, remains to be seen. Frankly it's one the best features on BB10 in my humble opinion and a skill Android phones would do well to assimilate.
BlackBerry unveiled plans to offer BBM on iOS and Android in May 2013.
(Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET)
So what's the catch? Outside of the vague availability date, it looks like BBM will only be served up in Africa (at least for now). That's definitely a bummer to potential BBM adopters on Galaxy devices occupying many corners of the globe.
