BlackBerry To Pre-Load BBM On Android Phones
In addition to reports, which previously indicated that BlackBerry will roll out its Messenger service to Android via an app on Google Play, now it seems the company is looking to tie-up with multiple Android handset makers and offer the service pre-loaded.
According to a CNET report, BlackBerry is reportedly in talks with various Android manufacturers to pre-load its BlackBerry Messenger on their devices. “There is interest from other handset makers,” Kristian Tear, COO, BlackBerry was quoted as saying.
The Canada-based brand, however, did not reveal the brands that will be looking to offer the BBM service on Android free of cost but we can safely say that smartphone major Samsung may not be interested in the product afterall, as the company already has its ChatOn messenger service, which is popular among Galaxy smartphone users. But other brands like Huawei, ZTE, LG, HTC and even Sony could be the interested parties looking to pre-load their smartphones with BBM.
BBM could make its way to Android and iOS on 27 June if reports are to be believed. This info has appeared via Twitter by an anonymous source stating that ‘BBM on Android will come alive on 27 June’. The credibility of the source is unknown, which is why we will take the launch date with a pinch of salt and wait for BlackBerry to make the official bow. BBM will be available to Android users with Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream Sandwich version and above while for iOS users, they need to have iOS 6 version on their iPhone and iPads.
The launch date is nearing and we will surely give the service a check on these platforms and let you know what BBM offers that probably WhatsApp does not (highly unlikely).
