The BlackBerry BBM messaging platform user base jumped up by 20 million within one week of the company launching BBM for Android and iPhone. While the company has not announced further numbers, the app has remained at the top of charts in a number of countries including Canada and the UK. BBM is also well established in emerging markets and will now come preinstalled on a variety of Android-powered smartphones across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Among the companies announcing plans to add BBM to their Android smartphones are Brightstar, EVERCOSS, Micromax, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen. While none are first tier smartphone manufacturers, the influence of these brands in their markets cannot be overlooked.
“It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry. “We’re thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM preinstalled.”
BlackBerry is also working with other manufacturers to have them preload BBM on their devices.
BlackBerry once again reiterated that it will continue to improve BBM for Android and iPhone in the coming months. Future updates include support for BBM Channels, BBM Voice and BBM Video calling.
If BBM is not pre-installed on your Android smartphone (or iPhone), it is available as a free download via Google Play (or the App store).
Source : BlackBerry