In an interview with Bloomberg, BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis and former co-CEO believes iPhone users will embrace the upcoming BBM iOS app with open arms, speaking at the Bloomberg Canada Economic Summit in Toronto.:
BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis said he’s confident that users of iPhones and other devices will embrace the company’s BlackBerry Messenger platform, which will be offered on rival phones later this year.
“BBM is by far the most compelling wireless experience and wireless social-networking environment,”
Lazaridis and fellow co-CEO Jim Balsillie stepped down from the company last January.
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) was previously the crown jewel of the company, as the proprietary messaging app during the height of its popularity had its users proudly and loudly exchanging their “PINs” with fellow enthusiasts on social networks and gatherings.
But as the company declined for failing to innovate and acknowledge rival smartphones such as the iPhone (must watch video) and other Android offerings, cross platform third party alternatives such as WhatsApp have become a viable alternative. Recent launches of the Z10 and Q10 models based on a new operating system aim to make BlackBerry relevant again.
BlackBerry announced BBM for iOS will launch this summer just over a week ago, as detailed at their annual BlackBerry Live conference.
Are you excited for BBM on your iPhone? The number one problem would be trying to find friends and family that still use a BlackBerry.
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When i had a blackberry, BBM was definitley a chat app that is far better then any other i have used lately. Cant wait to get back on it.
i only know 3 people that are still on BB, and only because it’s paid for by their employer. Too little Too late.. I would have loved to have this app on my iphone 3 years ago, but in 2013 BBM has become irrelevant.
Why would I care about BBM when I have iMessage? Or just regular SMS? This made sense when you were charged $0.25 per message but those days died with BBM.