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BlackBerry is trying to build on the popularity of its free BlackBerry Messenger app. On Wednesday, the struggling mobile

device maker announced it is launching a new mobile social network called BBM Channels.

Each channel is a page of messages and updates that connect to a given BlackBerry ID, a one-to-many broadcasting format that is being compared to Twitter. Messages can be up to 400 characters, and can be limited to one's BBM contacts or opened to other users. Comments can be limited or subject to approval, and chats with non-contacts can be turned off.

In its rollout, the BBM Channels service is targeted primarily at businesses, even though many of the millions of users that downloaded BBM Messenger obviously were not representing businesses. Business channels can promote their existence through sponsored posts, invites, QR codes in ads, or BlackBerry's own index of featured channels. Businesses can employ BlackBerry analytics

to measure user responses, and a BlackBerry Social Media Console service is available to integrate BBM Channels campaigns with the large social networks, such as Twitter or Facebook.

How Positioned?

Ramon Llamas, research analyst at industry research firm IDC, described the new service as "interesting" but raising questions. He noted that many consumers are fans of businesses, so the service will be B2C as well as B2B, even though it is oriented toward businesses.

A key question about the new service, he said, is "how BlackBerry is going to position this," such as whether it will treated as an actual social service between individuals and businesses, or primarily a business-driven service that includes individuals in its audience. A related question is how it will differ from other social networks, such as Twitter, and whether there is sufficient added value so that users and businesses will participate in Channels in addition to Twitter, Facebook and other venues.

Finally, Llamas pointed out, there's the eternal question of "how will they make money?" The assumption, he said, "is that they'll charge companies" for at least some levels of the service.

iOS and Android

Versions

BlackBerry said it is in discussion with smartphone makers in emerging markets to have the service pre-installed on those phones. The first release of BBM Channels is targeted at BlackBerry 10 and a few older BlackBerry phones, and versions for iOS and Android are expected soon. A Web version is already available for any user with a BlackBerry ID e-mail address.

BBM Channels is the latest in a series of steps by the company to turn itself around. Earlier this week, three senior executives left the company, including the chief financial officer. Several weeks ago, CEO Thorsten Heins was replaced by interim CEO John Chen.

Earlier this month, BlackBerry released a version of BBM for Apple's iPad and iPod. In October, a version of BBM was released for Android devices and the iPhone, which resulted in about 10 million downloads of the free app within 24 hours.

The availability of BlackBerry Messenger - the iconic mobile social network previously exclusive to BlackBerry smartphones - on iPhones and Android, is currently posing a huge threat to the short messaging services revenue of telecoms companies in Nigeria.

Most Nigerians, who hitherto used their iPhones and Android devices to send text messages, are now savouring the BBM service on their phones to achieve the same goal free of charge.

BlackBerry had last month finalised the rollout of the BBM on iPhone and Android devices and made it available as a free download in Google Play and the App StoreSM.

A report by the global consulting firm, Price WaterHouse Cooper, had put the total SMS volume for 2012 at 1.8 billion (on-net and off-net).

According to the firm, the figure is expected to grow by 35.4 per cent in 2013.

This, therefore, puts the expected SMS volume for 2013 at 2.44 billion. Multiplied by N4 charge per SMS, the industry is estimated to generate about N9.75bn as SMS revenue.

Earlier this year, over N7.07bn was estimated to be lost by telecommunications operators in 2013 following the directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission to all operators to reduce the cost of off-net Short Message Services to N4.

The NCC had, in January, issued a directive to the telecoms operators that off-net SMS tariff should be slashed to N4 from N10.

The BBM to iPhone and Android is expected to increase this woe, as patronage for the SMS package is expected to further nose-dive.

Outgoing on-net SMS, according to the Price WaterHouse Cooper report, increased from 911 million in 2011 to 958 million in 2012; outgoing SMS to other mobile operators moved from 316 million to 449 million, while SMS from other mobile operators also increased from 327 million to 421 million during the same period.

An off-net SMS is a text message sent from one network to another such as from MTN to Airtel or Glo to Etisalat. And within a network, it is referred to as on-net SMS.

Commenting on the development, the President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, said the introduction of BBM on iPhone and Android would seriously slash the SMS revenue expectations of telcos subsequently. Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Posted on Thursday, November 28th, 2013 at 9:00 AM By BellaNaija.com



Tecno mobile phones will now preinstall BBM™ on Tecno phones running the Android operating system. With BBM preinstalled, customers will be able to easily get started chatting and connecting with friends and family on the popular private social network from BlackBerry ®.

BBM, with its privacy, control and immediacy, is very popular in the Nigerian market, where everybody wants a BBM PIN.

According to Vice President, Tecno Group, Arif Chowdhury, BBM will be preloaded on Tecno phones in 20 countries. For customers already using Tecno phones, BBM will of course be available as a free download on the Google Play store.

" This collaboration is good news for customers," said Chowdhury. " It is our objective, not only for Nigerians, but for Africans as a whole, to acquire smartphones and enjoy a smart life and to be able to use the phone to its maximum benefit, and that is why we are working with BlackBerry to preload BBM on all new Tecno smartphones. After the huge success of the Phantom A series, Tecno is now launching the next star product named Phantom AIII, and of course, this high technology smartphone will come preloaded with BBM," added Chowdhury.



Android customers can enjoy the rich features of BBM that include:

BBM Chat - Enjoy real, immediate conversations with friends on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. Not only does BBM let you know that your message has been delivered and read, it also shows you that your friend is responding to the message.

More than chat - With BBM you can share files on your phone such as photos and voice notes, all in an instant.

Keep your group in the loop - Multi-person chats are a great way to invite contacts to chat together. BBM Groups lets you invite up to 30 friends to chat together, and go a step further than multi-chat by sharing photos and schedules. And, with Broadcast Message, you can send a message out to all your BBM contacts at once.

Post Updates and stay in the know - BBM lets you post a personal message, profile picture and your current status, and lets your contacts know instantly in Updates.

Your unique PIN - Every BBM user has a unique PIN that maintains your privacy, so you don't have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact.

Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry Andrew Bocking said, " BBM continues to grow in popularity and as the recent launch on Android and iOS suggests, BBM is the 'must have' app for active conversations. While we continue to evolve BBM with more features and functionality, we are excited to work with OEMs like TECNO to preinstall BBM, giving their smartphone customers in Africa quick and easy access to the service right out of the box."Advertorial - Sponsored Content



Tags: Andrew Bocking, Arif Chowdhury, Blackberry, Tecno. BBM

For most existing users, the free-to-use BBM feature is one of the killer applications that still makes owning a BlackBerry handset worthwhile.

This ability to chat to individuals, groups and to share links, video clips and images has also allowed BlackBerry to retain its position in emerging markets where the cost of data, rather than internal specifications, is the biggest decision when choosing a handset.

In the face of growing competition from cheaper and cheaper Android handsets and the proliferation of other messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Line, BlackBerry recently launched BBM as a standalone app for Android and iPhone, but that is just the start.

"It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations.

The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing," said Andrew Bocking, Executive vice-president for BBM at BlackBerry. "We're thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM preinstalled."

From December the app will start being preinstalled on handsets sold by Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen.

New Delhi: After introducing popular BBM to Android and iOS users, BlackBerry said it will partner handset makers from India, like Micromax, Spice and Zen, other nations to pre-install the popular messaging app on their smartphones. With the BBM app coming pre-installed, users can directly engage with other BBM users without having to download the app or incurring download charges.

"BBM will soon come pre-installed on a variety of Android-based smartphones from leading OEMs across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East," BlackBerry said in a statement.

Beginning next month, Android smartphones from Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen will include BBM preinstalled, it added.



BBM will continue to be available as a free download from Android app stores, including Google Play.

"It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing,"

BlackBerry Executive Vice President (BBM) Andrew Bocking said.

BBM is already available pre-loaded on Micromax's Canvas Turbo and will now be preloaded in the entire forthcoming range of Canvas phones.

BlackBerry today also launched its BBM Channels, which will allow brands to engage with people and communities.

The platform will be made available for BlackBerry users on BlackBerry OS 5 and above and BlackBerry 10 through BlackBerry World, a company statement said.

Existing BlackBerry users can update to the latest version of BBM to have access to BBM Channels, it added.

"BBM Channels builds on BBM's strengths of engagement and communications and gives BBM users a rich community-building tool that will allow them to connect with brands, influencers and people of shared interests," the statement said.

Channel owners can post messages, share pictures, start discussions, post animated GIFs and chat directly with subscribers.

BlackBerry had launched a limited beta testing for BBM Channels beginning in May this year.

BBM Channels for iPhone and Android devices will launch in the coming months, the statement said.

BlackBerry is betting big on Channels to rake it additional revenue in the coming months. Brand owners, who will pay for using Channels, will get to connect with users and reach out to newer audiences in return new ones.

The Canadian firm has been facing stiff competition from other smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung as sales have declined over the past few months.

It is now looking at monetising through options like Channels and the BBM app across platforms (iOS and Android).

Update: BlackBerry has just posted a message on their company blog that "BBM Channels for BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry OS devices has officially launched!" The company says that BBM Channels will be coming to BBM for iPhone and Android in the coming months and users on those platforms "can still get started on the website if you have a confirmed BlackBerry ID email address!" - more here at BlackBerry

After months of beta testing, BlackBerry is finally taking the beta tag away from Channels, its broadcast-slash-forum-slash-engagement feature aimed at businesses, brands and, of course, celebrities. Within the BBM universe, Channels exists as a way for individuals to follow and engage with companies and products in a safe, forum-like community, and for those companies to track the myriad data points and metrics to use in their own analytics.

While the launch is currently limited to BB10 and legacy BlackBerry devices, the Waterloo-based company says that this is just the beginning for Channels, and promises to roll the feature out to Android and iOS users in the coming months. And though there is no monetization strategy yet, BlackBerry is looking to aggressively sell BBM Channels to brands and companies, and may eventually charge for premium features or sponsored content; they are already charging companies to use a version of the desktop-based Channels manager, and many are already on board, from Coca-Cola to UPS.

Less corporate, and perhaps more along the lines of how most people will use BBM Channels, is the potential for education-based broadcasts and discussion. Picture a university study group or tutorial using it, where the professor posts an assignment and students discuss it among themselves, in-line within the feed, or privately in a separate BBM chat. Channel owners can set public "discussion" or chat times, where participants can publicly ask questions - kind of like office hours at a university.

Though this is just the beginning, BBM Channels does seem to have a lot of potential. It will definitely be interesting to see how BlackBerry works it into their Android and iOS apps, especially as user traction continues to rise.

Note: BBM Channels will begin rolling out to BlackBerry users at 3PM ET today.

BlackBerry has managed to convince 12 international OEMs to preinstall its BBM app onto their Android smartphones. These are not household names in the West, but then again these days most of BlackBerry's customers don't live in North America and Europe.

The companies that agreed to preload BBM on their phones include Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen. We've heard about Micromax and Spice whereas the other vendors on the list are likely covering only their respective markets (hence we don't know their products).

BBM will remain available in the Google Play Store (and Apple's AppStore for that matter), providing users with "privacy, control and immediacy" as they chat with their contacts, either one-to-one, in multiple chats or as part of a BBM Group. The application also lets users share files such as photos and voice notes, as well as update their profile and status with ease. Up to 30 people can connect as a BBM Group to chat and share photos, calendars and other files or documents... About The Author

Sell Your Old Cell Phone for Cash Buy a New Cell Phone

After the success of its rollout of the BBM app for s and devices with 20 million downloads on the first week, embattled Canadian phonemaker BlackBerry launched on Tuesday its social network - the BBM Channels.



BlackBerry could pay up to $250m in break fees if it abandons an upcoming debt deal and chooses to sell itself again (Reuters).

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The channel is a service similar to , initially available only for BlackBerry device users as a forum for companies and celebrities to be engaged with their customers and fans. However, the Waterloo, Ontario-based company promised to release the app for BBM channels for and users in the coming months.

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Tapping on what could help save the financially hemorrhaging firm which just fired three key executives, BlackBerry said BBM Channels would soon be preloaded on phones from some mobile unit makers in developing nations such as Micromax Informatics in and TECNO Group in Hong Kong.

In September, sales of new line of smartphones made by BlackBerry were very weak, prompting the company to write off almost $1 billion in inventory. It was followed by lay off of thousands of employees in its Waterloo facility and on Tuesday, BlackBerry's axe hit three key officials and a longtime board member.

Among the athletic organisations that could be found on the new BBM Channel are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC.

Jeff Deline, vice president of global partnerships at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said, quoted by Financial Post, "People love to know the personalities of the players more closely, and if they can share some of their insights, as I'm sure they will, and their visits and what they've done during the week, I think some of that will really resonate ... Because sometimes that's tough for us to get out."

Explaining further its new social media site, BlackBerry Senior Director of BBM Platform Business Development David Proulx said, "Mobile engagement for a business or a brand is challenging right now because there's a lot of different options, be it developing your own native application or one or more platforms, be it mobile or display advertising, be it the social variance in the online social networks, it's a lot for them to navigate."

He added, "BBM Channels is essentially a gateway for those brands or those companies to engage with this very connected, very switched on audience that is entirely mobile and now in excess of 80 million people."

Should - which recently launched an initial public offering - be worried it has a potential rival in the microblogging world?

To contact the editor, e-mail:

The best news BlackBerry received all year was an increased number of BlackBerry Messenger users following the service's arrival on Android and iOS. In fact, early estimates claim the number of users increased to 80 million people, a 20 million user increase, thanks to its wider release. That number could go up even more, as the Waterloo company on Tuesday announced the service will come pre-installed on some Android smartphones starting next month. The devices will be available across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East; all regions where BlackBerry still has a considerable, albeit waning, presence.

"The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing," said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry. "We're thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM pre-installed.

Partners that will offer Android devices with BBM pre-installed include Be, Brighstar, Celkon, EVERCROSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen; the app itself will still be available in the iOS App Store and Google Play store. Even with competing services out there, BlackBerry still has confidence BBM is the top messaging platform on the market, offering the best privacy, control and immediacy.

The company said the service for each OS will receive some big updates in the future, including support for BBM Channels, BBM Voice and BBM Video.

WATERLOO, ONTARIO-(Marketwired - Nov. 26, 2013) - BBM™ will soon come preinstalled on a variety of Android™-based smartphones from leading OEMs across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East. Beginning next month, Android smartphones from Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen will include BBM preinstalled. In addition, BlackBerry® (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) confirmed that BBM will also continue to be available as a free download from Android app stores, including Google Play.

"It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing," said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry. "We're thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM preinstalled."

"Mobile messaging is a top priority for Indonesian mobile users and BBM has long been the premium messaging brand. Mobile users want their conversations to be immediate, private and reliable, which makes BBM a great fit for our devices," said Janto Djojo, Chief Marketing Officer at EVERCOSS. "BBM is incredibly popular in Indonesia and since it's availability on Android, it's become the must have messaging app for our customers. We are therefore thrilled to be working with the BBM team at BlackBerry to preinstall BBM on our devices, making it easier than ever for our customers to get connected to BBM contacts and start chatting."

"BBM is extremely popular in Africa and we know our customers will appreciate the ability to quickly access BBM on their TECNO devices and start connecting with friends and family. BBM is now a central component of our Android-based smartphone platform offering," said Jason Liu, Marketing Director of TECNO GROUP. "We are pleased to announce that we're working with the BBM team at BlackBerry to install BBM on the Android smartphones we bring to market."

"At Micromax, we have built a strong mobile ecosystem for our users, which builds a strong connection with the brand by democratizing technology for masses in India. Offering BBM, one of the most popular mobile messaging services, preloaded on our smartphones is another great example of how Micromax has built a bouquet of services for our customers to connect and communicate seamlessly," said Rahul Sharma Co-Founder Micromax. "We have now preloaded BBM on the new Canvas Turbo and the initial response from our consumers has been overwhelmingly positive. BBM will now be preloaded in the entire future range of Canvas phones."

BBM gives customers privacy, control and immediacy as they chat with their contacts - either one-to-one, in multiple chats or as part of a BBM Group. BBM's Delivered and Read statuses, as well as message-in-progress notices, keep people engaged and active in their conversations.

BBM lets users share files such as photos and voice notes, as well as update their profile and status with ease. Up to 30 people can connect as a BBM Group to chat and share photos, calendars and other files or documents.

Every BBM user has a unique PIN tied to their BlackBerry ID that helps maintains their privacy. Users never have to give out their phone number or email address to begin chatting with a new or casual contact.

The BBM experience will continue to evolve for Android and iPhone® users in the coming months, with updates that will include support for BBM Channels, a new service that will connect BBM users to communities of shared interests in a very engaging and intimate manner, as well as support for BBM Voice calling and BBM Video calling.

BlackBerry has announced that BBM will come preinstalled on Android smartphones from multiple Android OEMs starting next month.

The struggling smartphone company has revealed that vendors from Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East regions have agreed to pre-load their smartphones with BBM before they are shipped to end users.

"Beginning next month, Android smartphones from Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen will include BBM preinstalled", announced BlackBerry in a press release.

BlackBerry would definitely benefit a lot if it manages to sign-up leading Android vendors including Samsung, HTC and LG; however, the latest development could be considered a good enough start considering that local vendors in the listed regions do have a good enough grasp over the regional markets as compared to the big brand Android vendors.

"The BBM experience will continue to evolve for Android and iPhone® users in the coming months, with updates that will include support for BBM Channels, a new service that will connect BBM users to communities of shared interests in a very engaging and intimate manner, as well as support for BBM Voice calling and BBM Video calling", added BlackBerry.

BlackBerry has announced that its cross-platform messaging app, BBM, will now come preinstalled on a number of Android smartphones from domestic brands, namely Celkon, Spice and Zen, starting next month.

The Canadian company confirmed that the popular BlackBerry Messenger instant chat application will be preloaded on a variety of Android based smartphones from leading OEMs across Africa, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East apart from India. Some of the other smartphone brands that would preinstall the BBM app include Be, Brightstar, EVERCOSS, IMO, Mito, Snexian, TECNO, and TiPhone.

In addition, BlackBerry also confirmed that the popular BBM app will continue to be available as a free download from Google Play store.

It's worth pointing out that the Micromax Canvas smartphone range in India already comes preinstalled with BBM app, which the company announced in September this year.

Commenting on the announcement Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry said, "It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing. We're thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM preinstalled."

BlackBerry finally released the much-awaited BlackBerry Messenger service to users of Android and iPhone devices in October, after the initial rollout hit a roadblock due to a leaked Android build of BBM that went viral ahead of the official launch.

BBM was downloaded more than 10 million times on iOS and Android within the first 24 hours, bringing in over 20 million new users to the BlackBerry Messenger platform in the first week.

Recently, BlackBerry released an update for BBM for Android and iOS that brought bug fixes as well as new features to the client for both platforms. Additionally, the iOS version of BBM added support for iPad and iPod touch (the app was iPhone-only on launch).

While BBM is pretty established as far as messaging apps are concerned, it does have some pretty stiff competition in the form of WhatsApp, LINE,Viber, and etc., all of which have established themselves on iOS and Android operating systems for years. Well it looks like BlackBerry could be making up for lost time as the company has recently announced that they have managed to partner up with several Android manufacturers who will ensure that the BBM app, as far as Android devices are concerned, will come preinstalled on said devices.

According to BlackBerry's press release, these OEMs are from the Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East region, with names that some of you guys may or may not be familiar with such as, Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen. While BlackBerry would undoubtedly benefit greater from partnering with companies such as Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, and Sony, who are some of the bigger names in the Android industry, we guess this is a good start and perhaps in the future more Android OEMs will be hopping aboard the BBM bandwagon.

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Waterloo - BBM will soon come preinstalled on a variety of Android-based smartphones from leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East.

In addition, BlackBerry confirmed that BBM will also continue to be available as a free download from Android app stores, including Google Play.

"It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing," said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry.

"We're thrilled to be working with leading Android smartphone manufacturers from across the globe to help bring their customers the best out-of-the-box experience with BBM preinstalled."

"Mobile messaging is a top priority for Indonesian mobile users and BBM has long been the premium messaging brand. Mobile users want their conversations to be immediate, private and reliable, which makes BBM a great fit for our devices," said Janto Djojo, Chief Marketing Officer at EVERCOSS.

"BBM is incredibly popular in Indonesia and since it's availability on Android, it's become the must have messaging app for our customers. We are therefore thrilled to be working with the BBM team at BlackBerry to preinstall BBM on our devices, making it easier than ever for our customers to get connected to BBM contacts and start chatting."

"BBM is extremely popular in Africa and we know our customers will appreciate the ability to quickly access BBM on their TECNO devices and start connecting with friends and family.

"BBM is now a central component of our Android-based smartphone platform offering," said Jason Liu, Marketing Director of TECNO GROUP.

"We are pleased to announce that we're working with the BBM team at BlackBerry to install BBM on the Android smartphones we bring to market." Hungry for more scitech news? Sign up for our daily newsletter

Google might prefer Android users to stick with Hangouts for their instant messaging, but BlackBerry has inked a deal to preload BBM on a number of handsets running the OS in mulitple regions. The agreement - which will affect select Android phones offered in Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America, and the Middle East - won't force new owners to register for a BBM account, but it will put the app right in front of them, as BlackBerry tries to push its cross-platform service out from under the shadow of BlackBerry 10.



The list of OEMs is probably unfamiliar to anybody in North America or Europe, however. At the moment, it includes Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone, and Zen, though BBM will still be available to everyone in the Google Play store.

BlackBerry hasn't announced any newer usage figures than the initial 10 million downloads in the first 24 hours of availability across both iOS and Android. However, the company has since said that it is "pleased" with subsequent growth, even if it won't detail specifics.

When we spoke to head of BBM Andrew Bocking earlier this month, he described the IM app team's primary goal to be growth, positioning itself as more of a social network than a simple messaging tool. While obviously associated with BlackBerry OS, Bocking told us that the three different platforms BBM currently supports are being treated "completely and equally" when it comes to feature-parity, and that BlackBerry 10 won't be prioritized for new functionality.

However, Bocking pointed out, that stance doesn't preclude taking advantage of what each individual platform supports that its rivals different, such as widgets on Android homescreens.

As for whether BlackBerry's enthusiastic - and indiscriminate - embracing of Android and iOS has caused upset among the company's loyal users, Bocking admitted that some of the early feedback had been indignant. Since launch, though, the exec says there has been broad support, with BlackBerry 10 users seeing the unification as necessary if the OS (and the company) is to survive moving forward.

Whether other OEMs and carriers will follow the same preload path remains to be seen, and it's not clear what the terms of the promotional deal were to get BBM installed from the outset.

VIA Android Community

BlackBerry's own social network, called BBM Channels, will launch later today on any handset running BlackBerry OS 5 and above.

BBM Channels will allow device owners the opportunity to communicate with companies, brands, etc. BlackBerry envisions a platform that goes something like this: A company creates a channel on BBM Channels, then BBM users post messages to that company, and the company can share messages, pictures and animated GIFs, as well.

BBM Channels is actually quite similar to Twitter, because both services enable companies, brands and people to create specific pages for communicating with fans/followers/users. In addition, regular users can create BBM Channels for others to follow.

READ: BlackBerry launches BBM Channels, a new way for brands to use BBM

When announced in May, BlackBerry said BBM Channels will feature updateable pages that can be shared within BBM. Users can see how many people have viewed and shared their BBM Channel and other users are able to comment on the pages themselves. It's a clever idea, really, bringing social advertising to BBM.

BBM Channels will start to roll out on Tuesday at 12PM PST. BlackBerry also said it would release BBM Channels for iPhone and Android handsets "in the coming months."

Check out the tutorial videos by Blackberry for BBM Channels below to get a closer look at how the social network will work.

By Nick Summers, , 04:41pm







BBM Channels, a new part of BlackBerry's popular cross-platform mobile messaging app BBM, will be available later today on any handset running BlackBerry OS 5 and above.

The struggling smartphone maker is calling the release an open beta - it's not quite ready for an official release, it would seem - and will be added as part of the latest app update available in BlackBerry World.

BBM Channels is a separate part of the app where you can follow and converse with your favorite brands and businesses. You can like, comment and share content posted by a BBM Channel, or enter a one-to-one private chat session with the owner or manager of the page. It's also possible to subscribe to a BBM Channel and receive notifications when new content is uploaded.



BBM Channels has been available as a limited beta since May, shortly after the feature was announced alongside BBM for iOS and Android. It's a similar concept to Plus Friend Home: A combination of both instant messaging and passive social network accounts which Korean-startup Kakao offers in Kakao Talk, its own cross-platform mobile messaging app.

A BlackBerry spokesperson said BBM Channels will be available from 8pm GMT/3pm ET/12pm PT. The feature will be added to the BBM iOS and Android apps "in the coming months."

➤ BBM Channels

BBM Channels, the new social feed-based component of BlackBerry Messenger, will open up to all BlackBerry users with a handset running BB5 or higher today. The app has been available through BlackBerry's Beta Zone since May, but finally appears ready to make a more official debut.

BBM Channels lets you follow different brands and businesses. You can comment on, like and share updates posted to the channel. Or you can engage in a private chat session with the owner or manager of the page. Channel owners can share updates, post images and GIFs and start discussions with subscribers.

BlackBerry's page with the announcement no longer appears to be up, but a BlackBerry spokesperson told The Next Web that BBM Channels will go live at 12PM PT, and that the feature will be added to the new BBM app for Android and iOS "in the coming months."

By Alex Colon

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The mobile messaging app landscape continues to be highly geographically fragmented, with different messaging services doing well in different global regions. Despite ongoing localised variety, messaging veteran WhatsApp remains dominant in multiple global regions, even as relative newcomer - to Android and iOS - BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), gets a foothold on the social chit-chat map of these two platforms.

According to a survey of 3,759 Android and iOS users in the U.S., Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and China, carried out by mobile market research firm On Device, WhatsApp is the leading app for social messaging in South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia, and second most popular in the U.S., giving it a better geographical spread than Facebook's Messenger app (which only leads in the U.S., and is ranked second in Brazil and South Africa).

Add to that, in the U.S,. where Facebook Messenger does lead, WhatsApp usage isn't far behind - especially among the 16-24 year-old age-group:



The data also notes relatively little overlap between the two messaging apps in the U.S. market, with only a quarter of U.S. smartphone users using both Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, and the majority os users sticking with one or the other.

Across On Device's five polled markets, 44% of mobile users said they use WhatsApp at least once per week vs 35% who said the same for Facebook Messenger. China's WeChat app was third, with more than a quarter (28%) of respondents using it at least once weekly.



But the dynamism of the mobile messaging space is underlined by the presence of BlackBerry's BBM app - which was only released for Android and iOS a few weeks ago, but has already become the fifth most used social messaging app across the polled markets.

Across all five markets, On Device's data shows that BBM is used at least once per week by 17% of survey respondents - putting it just behind Twitter (19%) and ahead of Skype (16%) for usage. Not bad for a platform newbie, especially after such a difficult start.

Turning to market specific data, BBM is ranked third most popular in South Africa, and second most popular in Indonesia, according to On Device's data, used by 34% and 37% of respondents in those two countries, respectively (behind WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in South Africa; and WhatsApp in Indonesia).

South Africa and Indonesia are two of the markets that have historically been strong ones for BlackBerry so there are clearly still enough mobile users with friends on the BBM network to generate momentum for the company's cross-platform BBM play. Let's also not forget BBM has been around since 2005 - so it's actually a grand old daddy of mobile messaging, albeit one that's finally been unchained from BlackBerry's own rails to run free.

The company is evidently doing what it can to maximise the power of its brand in key legacy markets to generate BBM momentum. It's just today announced that BBM will come preinstalled on a variety of Android devices starting next month, from OEMs in Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Smartphones in these regions that will include BBM out of the box include devices from Be, Brightstar, Celkon, EVERCOSS, IMO, Micromax, Mito, Snexian, Spice, TECNO, TiPhone and Zen, it said today.

The BBM app will also continue to be available as a free download on Google Play but being preloaded ups its visibility and lowers the barrier to usage so it's a huge advantage. From the OEMs' point of view, these guys get to associate their hardware with a brand that is still well known and popular in their respective markets to make their handsets stand out from other low cost 'Droids. Only the 16-24 age-group in the U.S. showed significant use of SnapChat

"BBM is incredibly popular in Indonesia and since it's availability on Android, it's become the must have messaging app for our customers. We are therefore thrilled to be working with the BBM team at BlackBerry to preinstall BBM on our devices, making it easier than ever for our customers to get connected to BBM contacts and start chatting," said Janto Djojo, Chief Marketing Officer at EVERCOSS, in one of multiple supporting statements accompanying the BBM preload news.

Returning to the On Device survey, the average number of messaging apps installed by users across the polled markets varies considerably, from a high of 4.2 (on average) in Indonesia and 4.1 in South Africa, to just 2.6 in Brazil, 2.4 in China, and - with the lowest of the polled markets - 2.1 in the U.S.

It's perhaps no coincidence that BBM has managed to get most traction in the markets where users are more open to using multiple messaging apps since it doesn't have to worry about trying to replace WhatsApp or Facebook.

The survey shows China's WeChat is also on the rise. On Device's data shows the app - that's known as Weixin in its home market but branded WeChat for international markets - is "spilling out of China", with a fifth (20%) of Indonesian, and 18% of South African smartphone owners saying they now use it weekly.

The survey also touches on SnapChat - the ephemeral photo-sharing app that's attracted huge interest in recent weeks, following reports that it snubbed a $3 billion acquisition offer from Facebook. Questions over exactly how sizeable SnapChat's user-base is persist, as the startup isn't saying. It prefers to talk in terms of Snaps shared ( 400 million daily - albeit some of those Snaps might be going to multiple people).

Despite all this interest in SnapChat, On Device found no significant use of the app across the markets it polled - with the sole exception of the 16-24 age-group in the U.S. A fifth (20%) of polled users in this age group reported using it at least once per week vs just 3% of those aged 25+. So clearly American teens are a very lucrative demographic.



The survey also touches on stickers - a popular monetisation method for mobile messaging apps. According to the data, almost 40% of polled smartphone users actively use stickers, with rates of usage varying by market from a high of 46% of Indonesians, who say they use stickers daily, to just under a quarter (24%) of Brazilians.

When it comes to actually paying for pixels, more than a fifth of all the polled mobile users said they had paid for stickers/emoji in messaging apps at least once.