The beta version of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) has reportedly started rolling out for Android and iOS devices. The beta will require iOS 6.0 or later. BBM is expected to hit Google Play and the App Store sometime next month.
According to BlackBerryOS.com, the beta version of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) has started rolling out in the Beta Zone for Android and iOS devices. The Beta Zone, which is similar to Apple’s Developer Center, started sending out the invites to select registered users today, with more expected to follow in the coming days and weeks. BlackBerryOS.com has also leaked several screenshots of the Android version of the app, but screenshots of the iOS version do not yet appear to be available.
BBM is a proprietary messaging solution for BlackBerry devices, and requires the use of a PIN, an eight character hexadecimal identification number that is uniquely assigned to every device.
This will mark the first time that Blackberry software will be available on other smartphones, and could mark a shift in direction for the Canadian based device maker. Blackberry devices have been steadily dropping in popularity the last few years, down to just 3.7% of smartphone usage in July 2013.
