BlackBerry announced today that it is opening up its BlackBerry messenger platform and expanding it to iOS and Android. The expanded service will debut sometime this summer. It’ll launch first with messaging and then will gradually expand its features to include groups, screen sharing and the newly announced channels.
Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry said
“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.”
This is big news for BlackBerry as its Messenger is still widely popular among BlackBerry users. By allowing people outside of BlackBerry to exchange messages with BlackBerry users, the Canadian company will increase its influence in the messaging arena.
[Via BlackBerry]