Blackberry’s BBM instant messaging service was once very popular, back when the company was at the top of its game, and indeed, on top of the smartphone market. Things have changed quite a bit in recent years, though, thanks in no small part to the likes of Apple’s iPhone and a deluge of Android devices, products have collectively left BlackBerry’s once-domineering brand on the brink of collapse. With the For Sale signs now up and the Canadian company on the hunt for investors, the fact that BBM for iOS and Android for both being announced is perhaps of little consequence, but in light of today’s leaking of the user guides for both the new apps, it would appear that a release is nigh.
Whether the leak was a genuine mistake or rather one of those accidentally-on-purpose moments tech companies tend to consult when looking for coverage, we can now be fairly sure that BlackBerry Messenger for Android and iOS will be here very soon. The Toronto-based outfit published the manuals today offering standard tips on how to get started, how the various features work, and general info on functionality.
As per the user guides, it would seem as though the iOS and Android versions of the app are, to all intents and purposes, fairly similar to what BlackBerry users will have seen before.
Whether BBM will make an impact with its second coming remains to be seen. Right now, BlackBerry certainly could do with the publicity, but where the service was immensely popular some three to five years back, there are plenty of alternatives now available besides. As well as the cross-platform WhatsApp Messenger, Facebook Messenger keeps over a billion connected, and with iOS users keeping connected through iMessage, BlackBerry should be releasing this app in hope, as opposed to expectation.
We shall keep a look out for the apps, and will be sure to notify you when that release does arrive, so stay tuned!
Meanwhile, you can download the iOS BBM manual from here, and Android from here.
Update: It appears as though BlackBerry has taken down the user guide for BBM for iOS. We will update this post accordingly as we get our hands on a working link.
As we wait for BBM to reach the App and Google Play Stores, be to check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone and iPad, and also our Android Apps gallery to discover more apps for your Android device.
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