BlackBerry Messenger App Coming to Android and iOS

Earlier this year, BlackBerry revealed its latest OS, BlackBerry 10, running on the company's latest smartphone, the BlackBerry Z10. While the operating system offers a number of updated features, BlackBerry Messenger remains a strong selling point for the company's devices.

But according to The Verge, BlackBerry has now opted to offer the messaging service on competing smartphones.

"It's time to bring BBM to a greater audience, no matter what mobile device they carry," said BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins.

The free BBM app is expected to arrive on iOS and Android sometime this summer. Compatible Android devices will need to run Android 4.0 and later, while iOS devices with iOS 6 and up will be able to take advantage of BlackBerry's messaging service. Both apps will of course need to pass Google and Apple's approval process first.

Eventually, BlackBerry plans to bring the full BBM experience to iOS and Android, including voice and screen share. But the app will initially only offer messaging and groups.

The decision to give away what was previously exclusive to BlackBerry devices seems, admittedly, a bit strange. But according to Heins, the move is a "statement of confidence," adding that BlackBerry 10 is so promising the company thinks BBM can stand alone as an independent messaging app.
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