While details are scant at the moment, Blackberry just dropped a
bomb at BBLive: Blackberry Messenger is coming to iOS and
Android "this summer" as a standalone application. After years of
rumors, the company is finally taking the plunge and making its
most popular app multi-platform. Brilliant. The app will start initially be released with support for "messaging
and groups," though additional support for for "voice, screen share,
and [...] channels" will come later. It be compatible with Android
4.0+ devices and be available for free. While this may be a big deal in itself, it may already be too late for
Blackberry to resurrect its former BBM userbase – this is a move
that could've helped save the company had it made the decision a year or two ago. WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - BlackBerry® (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) today
announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile
social network, BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™),
available to iOS® and Android™ users this summer, with
support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream
Sandwich) or higher, all subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. BBM sets the standard for
mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, engaging experience that includes delivered and read statuses, and
personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM
customers would be able to broaden their connections to
include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile
platforms. In the planned initial release, iOS and Android users would
be able to experience the immediacy of BBM chats,
including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to
share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM
Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of
up to 30 people. "For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are
inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is
definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile
service. BBM has always been one of the most engaging
services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to
easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We're excited to offer iOS and Android
users the possibility to join the BBM community," said
Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software
Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry. BBM is loved by customers for its D and R statuses,
which show up in chats to let people know with certainty
that their message has been delivered and read. It
provides customers with a high level of control and
privacy over who they add to their contact list and how
they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts
through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of
platform. Android users would also be able to connect
using a compatible NFC-capable device. BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers,
with more than 51 million people using BBM an average of
90 minutes per day. BBM customers collectively send
and receive more than 10 billion messages each day,
nearly twice as many messages per user per day as
compared to other mobile messaging apps. Almost half of BBM messages are read within 20 seconds of being
received; indicating how truly engaged BBM customers
are. Today, BlackBerry also announced BBM Channels, a new
social engagement platform within BBM that will allow
customers to connect with the businesses, brands,
celebrities and groups they are passionate about.
BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as
well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and
Google Play. If approved by Apple and Google, the BBM app will be available as a free download in the Apple® App Store(SM)
and Google Play store. Additional details about system
requirements and availability will be announced closer to
the launch.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/05/14/blackberry-announces-bbm-for-android-and-ios-coming-this-summer/