Reports indicate BBM for Android is back in closed beta testing
BBM for Android and iOS is now back in closed beta testing, according to reports.
IBNLive has an image showing a download page for BBM, though doesn't explain where it came from. It shows in the download description for v71 that beta testing has been re-enabled.
The move comes nearly two weeks since BBM for Android and iOS failed to launch as expected, to the dissapointment of many who were eagerly anticipating the messaging service being enabled on non-BlackBerry handsets.
The terminated launch came after a beta build of BBM for Android leaked online, although BlackBerry hasn't explained precisely why having an unofficial build doing the rounds is cause to slam the brakes on.
While BlackBerry has re-iterated that BBM for Android and iOS is still on the way, the fact that it is re-entering closed beta suggests there may be a little while to go yet before it finally arrives.
October 1 2013
BBM for Android and iPhone is still in rollout hell, and BlackBerry has no updates about when the application will be landing. It was meant to land last weekend and yet here we are –– over a week later –– and we still know nothing about when BBM will be getting launched.
Last week we were told that it would be at least a week before the IM client started rolling out. But now – a week and a bit later – we’re still none the wiser about when BBM will be landing inside Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
KYM reached out to BlackBerry for a update on the rollout –– like, is it happening this week or next week or next month –– and we were pointed to BlackBerry’s last update on its Inside BlackBerry blog, which was published on September 23 (you can read that below).
BlackBerry has confirmed BBM is still coming to Android and the iPhone via its official Twitter account. The company has yet to give a concrete timeframe, however.
Once released, BBM will go into direct competition with services like WhatsApp on Apple and Google’s mobile platforms. Interestingly, WhatsApp now boasts around 200 million users, according to The Telegraph, versus BBM’s 60 million.
BlackBerry hasn’t discussed expected adoption rates thus far, but a look at the gross figures show that BBM has a long way to go before it catches up with WhatsApp. Still, 1 million downloads of the leaked APK is a pretty decent start.
The leaked version of BBM was apparently downloaded 1.1 million times, according to reports. BBM did appear in the App Store in some regions, but the release has now been delayed.
Users who did manage to download BBM via the App Store will still be able to use it, although BlackBerry has now disabled the leaked Android version.
Here’s BlackBerry’s official statement:
“Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already - more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app - is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.
“Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.
“As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to www.BBM.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone. These issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.”
Although BlackBerry did not elaborate on the cause of these "issues", security expert Graham Cluley suggested that BlackBerry may not have been able to cope with the spike of activity hitting its servers, reports The Telegraph.
BlackBerry is steadily rolling out the iPhone version of BBM to certain regions. It’s yet to land in the UK but iMore has a pretty detailed video first look of the application running on an iPhone.
“It looks just as you'd expect and mirrors the current version of BBM on BlackBerry. BBM includes chat, groups, file sharing and various settings to play around with,” said the report.
IBNLive has an image showing a download page for BBM, though doesn't explain where it came from. It shows in the download description for v71 that beta testing has been re-enabled.
The move comes nearly two weeks since BBM for Android and iOS failed to launch as expected, to the dissapointment of many who were eagerly anticipating the messaging service being enabled on non-BlackBerry handsets.
The terminated launch came after a beta build of BBM for Android leaked online, although BlackBerry hasn't explained precisely why having an unofficial build doing the rounds is cause to slam the brakes on.
While BlackBerry has re-iterated that BBM for Android and iOS is still on the way, the fact that it is re-entering closed beta suggests there may be a little while to go yet before it finally arrives.
October 1 2013
BBM for Android and iPhone is still in rollout hell, and BlackBerry has no updates about when the application will be landing. It was meant to land last weekend and yet here we are –– over a week later –– and we still know nothing about when BBM will be getting launched.
Last week we were told that it would be at least a week before the IM client started rolling out. But now – a week and a bit later – we’re still none the wiser about when BBM will be landing inside Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
KYM reached out to BlackBerry for a update on the rollout –– like, is it happening this week or next week or next month –– and we were pointed to BlackBerry’s last update on its Inside BlackBerry blog, which was published on September 23 (you can read that below).
BlackBerry has confirmed BBM is still coming to Android and the iPhone via its official Twitter account. The company has yet to give a concrete timeframe, however.
Once released, BBM will go into direct competition with services like WhatsApp on Apple and Google’s mobile platforms. Interestingly, WhatsApp now boasts around 200 million users, according to The Telegraph, versus BBM’s 60 million.
BlackBerry hasn’t discussed expected adoption rates thus far, but a look at the gross figures show that BBM has a long way to go before it catches up with WhatsApp. Still, 1 million downloads of the leaked APK is a pretty decent start.
The leaked version of BBM was apparently downloaded 1.1 million times, according to reports. BBM did appear in the App Store in some regions, but the release has now been delayed.
Users who did manage to download BBM via the App Store will still be able to use it, although BlackBerry has now disabled the leaked Android version.
Here’s BlackBerry’s official statement:
“Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already - more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app - is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.
“Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.
“As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to www.BBM.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone. These issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.”
Although BlackBerry did not elaborate on the cause of these "issues", security expert Graham Cluley suggested that BlackBerry may not have been able to cope with the spike of activity hitting its servers, reports The Telegraph.
"What seems, in part, to have tripped up BlackBerry is the
poorly-policed free-and-easy Google Play Android app store, where
multiple BBM apps, posing as official releases, appeared," he said.
"Most Android users assume that if an app is in the official Google
Play store, it must be official and safe to install on their phone. The
truth, sadly, is rather different."
Writing on Inside BlackBerry, Andrew Brocking has now provided the following update about what BlackBerry is up to re: BBM for Android and iPhone:
"The team is now focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app. We are also making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future. While this may sound like a simple task – it’s not. This will take some time and I do not anticipate launching this week."
We'll update this story as soon as we know more about when BBM will be launching.
Below is an extract from the tech blog’s evaluation of BBM for iPhone:
“Not a revolutionary messenger app by any means, but in an ecosystem filled with messenger clients, it comes across as one of the slickest options. This probably is the best thing that could happen to all users who wished to switch platforms, but the BBM friends list held them back. Equally, the friendships can be rekindled with those who stayed back, while you moved on to an Android smartphone or an iPhone.
“Initial issues remain, but the BBM client on the iPhone is very
similar to what we saw on the BlackBerry Z10 - which means functionality
and usability will be a breeze. You cannot download BBM right now on
iOS and Android due to various issues, but the moment it becomes
available again, we would urge you to give it a shot.”
Writing on Inside BlackBerry, Andrew Brocking has now provided the following update about what BlackBerry is up to re: BBM for Android and iPhone:
"The team is now focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app. We are also making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future. While this may sound like a simple task – it’s not. This will take some time and I do not anticipate launching this week."
We'll update this story as soon as we know more about when BBM will be launching.
BBM for iPhone Review
BBM for iPhone did launch in some reasons last weekend, and one of the first reviews of the IM client has now appeared online. ThinkDigit managed to download the app and has now published a review of the application, which it gave 4.5-out-of-5 –– not too shabby then.Below is an extract from the tech blog’s evaluation of BBM for iPhone:
“Not a revolutionary messenger app by any means, but in an ecosystem filled with messenger clients, it comes across as one of the slickest options. This probably is the best thing that could happen to all users who wished to switch platforms, but the BBM friends list held them back. Equally, the friendships can be rekindled with those who stayed back, while you moved on to an Android smartphone or an iPhone.
BBM for iPhone demoed in “hands on” video
While the majority of people are still waiting to get their hands on BBM for Android and iPhone, some users – in a few regions – have now got access to the cross-platform IM application.BlackBerry is steadily rolling out the iPhone version of BBM to certain regions. It’s yet to land in the UK but iMore has a pretty detailed video first look of the application running on an iPhone.
“It looks just as you'd expect and mirrors the current version of BBM on BlackBerry. BBM includes chat, groups, file sharing and various settings to play around with,” said the report.
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