After Numerous Delays, BlackBerry Messenger for iOS to Launch Today [Update: Released]

Five months after it was initially announced, and after an unplanned delay due to unexpected demand, BlackBerry Messenger is finally launching on iOS. The app, which is similar to Apple’s own iMessage, was first announced back in May. It should launch on the App Store later today.

Back in September, the BBM for Android and iOS apps were delayed after an unreleased version of BBM was leaked that "caused issues" with the BBM servers.

To avoid similar issues with strong demand this time around, BlackBerry is using a staggered queue system to handle the demand. Users will install the app, enter their email address to hold their spot in line, and then will receive an email when they can start using BBM.

bbm_ios
According to BlackBerry, there are still more than 60 million BBM users worldwide exchanging more than 10 billion messages per day. Though the BBM platform remains popular, it will need to compete with several other messaging services on iOS and Android, including WhatsApp and WeChat. WhatsApp alone has more than 300 million active users, sending 27 billion messages daily.

BlackBerry Messenger offers basic text chats, multi-person group chats, voice messaging (via push-to-talk), and image sharing. Contacts can be added via BBM PIN, SMS, email, or QR code. Users are asked to set up a profile, which includes an image, nickname, and status.

Update: The app is live: BBM is available free from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

thedeejay Avatar
137 months ago
Too late RIM, too late!
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
137 months ago
I don't need it. I just ordered a Z10.

So you're the one who ordered it.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pmas76 Avatar
137 months ago
Is anyone going to actually use this?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carlanga Avatar
137 months ago
What's "blackberry"? I'm not familiar.


They are yummy

:p
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ritmomundo Avatar
137 months ago
I have to "wait in line" to use this? Ugh. Reminds me of Mailbox and Tempo....
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheRainKing Avatar
137 months ago
I was going to jump into this thread and make some mean comment about how no one cares, but others beat me to it. :(
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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