BBM beta for Windows Phone launches tomorrow

The BBM beta for Windows Phone will launch on Thursday, according to a tweet sent out by Jeff Gadway, the head of product and brand marketing for BBM. BlackBerry started accepting registrations for the beta last week, and quickly closed it a day later after being swamped by Windows Phone users, seeking to subscribe.

Last year, BlackBerry opened up the BBM messaging app to Android and iOS users, as a way to increase the value of the app. This took place after Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19 billion, or $42 a subscriber. BlackBerry CEO John Chen apparently came to the conclusion, that by allowing more eyeballs to view BBM, the value of the messaging app will rise. That gives the company a crown jewel to use in case of a financial emergency. BlackBerry could spin off BBM into a separate company, or find a buyer for it. Chen has tried to monetize BBM by opening a BBM shop that sells stickers. The company also has started selling sponsorships of discussion groups on BBM Channel.

The BBM beta for Windows Phone received an update last week, taking the app to version 1.0.0.2. As we showed you, BlackBerry is using the Windows Phone UI for the app, which should make Windows Phone users feel right at home when using BBM.


source: @gadway via WPCentral