BlackBerry BBM for iOS and Android Postponed
BlackBerry's rollout of BBM for iOS and Android was due to start today, but the company announced that it is pausing the launch of the apps as it sorts out issues caused by a leaked version of the Android app.
Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online, and Blackberry says that more than 1.1 million users downloaded in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app. But that unreleased version caused issues, which Blackberry's engineers have attempted to address throughout the day.
So the company paused the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. All those who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and users who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.
The next step in BlackBerry's plans for BBM is to stage a "staggered country roll-out" for BBM for Android and restart the rollout for iOS. BlackBerry did not give a timeline for this new rollout, only saying "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."
So the company paused the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. All those who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and users who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.
The next step in BlackBerry's plans for BBM is to stage a "staggered country roll-out" for BBM for Android and restart the rollout for iOS. BlackBerry did not give a timeline for this new rollout, only saying "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."