The much-awaited BBM messenger app on Windows Phone platform will be released in July, says BlackBerry
BlackBerry, the renowned smartphone making company, is expanding its popular cross-platform messaging app, BBM, to Windows Phone OS. After months of speculation, BlackBerry confirmed in February that BBM for Windows Phone will arrive this year but kept the specifics to itself. Now, during the company's earnings call Thursday, CEO John Chen dropped the news of the BBM coming to the third most popular mobile OS this July.
Among other things announced during the company's earnings call, the news of BBM for Windows Phone is sure to bring cheer to hundreds of followers who have been awaiting the announcement for months now. CrackBerry reported the news and says that the Windows Phone version of the app will carry almost all the features available on iPhone and Android versions.
BBM, which was long exclusive to BlackBerry devices only, was downloaded more than 10 million times in the first 24 hours of its availability for Android and iOS in October 2013. The app, like other messaging apps, allows users to share messages, photos, videos and other files with friends on the app. But BBM does not sync itself with the device's contacts as it requires a unique BBM pin or a QR code to build contacts.
Post July, Windows Phone will be the fourth platform BBM will be available on after BlackBerry 10, iOS and Android.
The company recently updated its iOS and Android versions of the app with free calling among BBM users. As the details of the Windows Phone version of the app are pretty thin, it is hard to speculate the features.
Earlier this month, the Canadian smartphone giant also introduced a secure version of BBM called the BBM Protected Service. The service tool mainly targets governments, banks and law firms that require high security protocols for encrypted conversations.
