BBM will be smartphones-only when it first comes to Android and iOS

posted by Michael H. / May 16, 2013, 8:38 PM

BBM will be smartphones-only when it first comes to Android and iOS

A couple days ago, BlackBerry announced that BlackBerry Messenger will finally be released on Android and iOS this summer, but today BlackBerry is managing expectations a bit. It seems that the company will be focusing its efforts and only bring the app to smartphones when it is first released.

Vivek Bhardwaj, head of the BlackBerry Software Portfolio, told TrustedReviews that BBM will not be made available on tablets when it is first launched for Android and iOS. Bhardwaj said, "Smartphone is our real focus and again it comes back to what BBM is. If you look [at] BBM and the engagement and the activity, it's because it is mobile, because people are on the go."

However, he went on to say that bigger screens aren't out of the question, including extra-large screens, saying that "Smart TVs and desktops... are definitely areas for exploration."

source: TrustedReviews via Engadget

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18 Comments

1. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

As expected! Now BlackBerry will only focus more on smartphones right now. Remember what Heins said before? "In five years I don’t think there’ll be a reason to have a tablet anymore. Maybe a big screen in your workspace, but not a tablet as such. Tablets themselves are not a good business model. -Thorsten Heins, CEO, BlackBerry

posted on May 16, 2013, 8:48 PM 4

2. ncarlosmiguel

Posts: 206; Member since: May 14, 2013

Not good for business but for entertainment. And that's what sells more, things we don't need but want.

posted on May 16, 2013, 8:53 PM 3

3. xperiaDROID

I agree.

posted on May 16, 2013, 8:58 PM 2

6. apiskula

Posts: 578; Member since: Jan 25, 2013

Wow you think a lot about Thorsten don't you? The guy is a complete failure as a CEO and a real tool. He can't even produce a quality phone and TA King about tablets. They will not even be around in five years!

posted on May 16, 2013, 9:38 PM 0

7. xperiaDROID

Dude, you need to see a doctor, I think you're having a Anti-BB Disease.

posted on May 16, 2013, 9:44 PM 5

8. apiskula

No I'm okay. Your comment was just funny. Blackberry commenting on in five years no need for a tablet. The ipad is not going anywhere and Blacberry will not make it five more years

posted on May 16, 2013, 9:59 PM 2

10. xperiaDROID

(sigh) Fine! I'm not going to argue with you again. Whatever! -_-

posted on May 16, 2013, 10:04 PM 2

12. Nikolas.Oliver

Posts: 1574; Member since: Jul 01, 2012

Apiskula and i have the same disease ;p

posted on May 16, 2013, 11:45 PM 0

4. TROLL

Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

Wp8 won't be getting this, Lmfao.... ®

posted on May 16, 2013, 9:07 PM 4

5. krimHD

Posts: 106; Member since: May 23, 2012

they will with time. :P but wait what of itouch?

posted on May 16, 2013, 9:30 PM 0

9. axllebeer

Posts: 271; Member since: Apr 05, 2011

I'm looking forward to it. And it was stated that it will be free. Watch out WhatsApp here comes BBM. (and I'm a WhatsApp user, for now)

posted on May 16, 2013, 10:03 PM 1

11. FlushGordon unregistered

Since most of BB's half- arsed apps are ported from Android...then why not just get an Android? Owning a BB handset these days doesn't make any sense at all....why would you pay premium to an eco system that bottom-feeds Android?

posted on May 16, 2013, 10:14 PM 0

13. DerryAhmad

Posts: 296; Member since: May 05, 2012

Eco System is only one part of a platform. BB10 user experience, based on Gestures and Swipe, is different with any other big OSs at the moment. Some find it very functional (added with Hub and Peek).

posted on May 17, 2013, 3:45 AM 3

15. apiskula

Great comment...

posted on May 17, 2013, 7:56 AM 0

14. sum182

Posts: 229; Member since: Nov 19, 2011

Pffft, says them. I"ll just side load it onto my tablet.....I wont use it, but its the point of it lol

posted on May 17, 2013, 7:37 AM 1

16. eman99

Posts: 409; Member since: Aug 03, 2010

Finally I would actually pay for this on android

posted on May 18, 2013, 1:55 AM 1

17. BBRYSWAG

Posts: 1; Member since: May 18, 2013

Yes you can sideload Android apps but there are still native apps being developed such as instagram and Skype which are coming soon. Not only that BB10 OS is gesture and swipe based but it runs off QNX which is a computing operating system. This was Thorsten Heins idea of bringing a whole new mobile computing experience which is why he he disclaimed the idea of tablets. Plus he has a marketing strategy behind adding BBM to iPhone and Android platforms which I think isn't bad after all seeing how much people like it more than iMessage or Whatsapps from tweeter post I've seen.