BlackBerry has launched out its popular BBM instant messaging service on other operating systems, but users who did not pre-register will have to wait in line. The much-anticipated move has been delayed since early September, as the embattled Canadian firm looks to turn around its fortunes by expanding one of its most popular services across […]
BlackBerry has launched out its popular BBM instant messaging service on other operating systems, but users who did not pre-register will have to wait in line.
The much-anticipated move has been delayed since early September, as the embattled Canadian firm looks to turn around its fortunes by expanding one of its most popular services across other platforms.
Android and iPhone users will have to queue to download BlackBerry’s BBM messaging app after it launched to “unprecedented” demand.
About six million people had signed up for alerts about the service before it became available.
People who did not pre-register can download the app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store, but will need to wait in line until they can start using the service.
BBM, which is available worldwide, lets users share instant messages and pictures, and plan events with up to 30 friends in real time.
It had been due to launch on Android and iPhone in September, but the rollout was delayed when an early version was leaked online, causing a spike in traffic that affected BlackBerry’s servers in “abnormal ways”.
The unreleased version was installed on at least one million Android handsets and a further one million iPhones, BlackBerry said.
Andrew Bocking, head of BBM, said: “Our team of developers and engineers has been working around the clock to bring you BBM and make some upgrades while we’re at it. Some incredible work has been done.”
Its latest handset, the BlackBerry 10, launched in January, as the company attempts to close the gap with rivals Apple and Samsung.
