Blackberry finally resumes global rollout of BBM for Adroid and iPhone users

Blackberry finally resumes the global rollout of BBM after a month delay. They however use a different line-up system for the rollout. Once you have downloaded the app on your phone, you will have to wait in line for BBM to be available to you.

For more details and the link for download scroll below.

Blackberry has been in the news recently for several reasons. After announcing their decision last week  to lay off 40% of their employees globally, Blackberry has finally agreed to a $4.7 billion buyout with a Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings.

The struggling Canadian smartphone maker has signed a letter of intent agreement (LOI) under which a consortium to be led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited has offered to acquire the company subject to due diligence, it said in a statement.

The buyout does not come as much of a shock as Blackberry had been indicating discussions on revival measures for the slowly dying smartphone sales and the heavily eroded BBM culture.

Meanwhile, Instant messaging service BBM was supposed to be rolled out globally for all Android and iPhone users over the weekend. It was to be available for free on Google Play Store and Apple Store.

<3 #Android. BBM is coming September 21 #NYC #BBM4ALL pic.twitter.com/SOSdL8CKEa

— BBM (@BBM) September 20, 2013

BBM was scheduled to be available for Android smart phones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean beginning at 4.30pm on September 21. BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01am local time on September 22. 

A lot of fake apps were already on Google Play Store fooling thousands of consumers. One such app was called ‘Blackberry Messenger BBM" and was downloaded by over 100,000 users until it was removed from the store. However, the official BBM app was only made available in New Zealand, India, Australia and UAE for iPhone customers. Global roll out was slowly but steadily ongoing. The official Android version was to show up here when it would release in India.

However, due to a leak of the unreleased version of BBM on the Android market, the roll out was stalled. It is stll suspended and no confirmation of commencement has been given.

Initially, when Blackberry made the announcement of making BBM available to all, a lot of users and non-users reacted to the big move with mixed opinions.

BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers on BlackBerry alone and this figure is expected to multiply with the popular messaging app becoming available on the two most popular mobile platforms. 

Sunil Lalvani, the company’s India managing director, spoke on how BBM will be more secure than any other instant messenger tools and how this will help the company on its way forward.

Another way to keep yourself updated and get the official link is here.

Latest:

* After almost a month of stalling the rollout of BBM for Android and IPhone users, Blackberry finally resumes the launch today.

Go here to download the official app for your smartphone.

However, BBM sought a different approach this time to prevent the unpredented glitches that occured last time. They came up with a line-up system to ensure a smooth roll out. Therefore, even after you download the app on your phone, you will have o wait in a 'line' for BBM to smoothly start functioning for your device. You will be asked to fill in your email Id once you install the app and when you reach the first in line you will be alerted via email.

If you signed up at http://t.co/j4pEiTlYKd you can start using BBM right away. Just download and enter the email you signed up with.

— BBM (@BBM) October 22, 2013

Hopefully this time, the BBM rollout does not face any hiccups.

* A statement issued by head of BBM at Blackberry Andrew Bocking confirms that BBM will not be launching this week. "The team is now focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app. We are also making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future. While this may sound like a simple task – it’s not. This will take some time and I do not anticipate launching this week," said Andrew in his statement.

He also reasoned on the stall. "We attempted to address the problems caused by the unreleased version throughout the day on Saturday, but as active users of the unreleased app neared a million – and accelerated – it became clear that the only way to address the issue was to pause the rollout for both Android and iPhone."

Read his full statement here.

* The company said in a statement that it has "signed a letter of intent agreement under which a consortium to be led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited has offered to acquire the company subject to due diligence."

* In another big development, It has just been announced that Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings has agreed to acquire BlackBerry in a deal worth $4.7 billion. The deal is not a cemented one and Fairfax can walk away from it any time they want. Fairfax currently owns approximately 10% of Blackberry common shares. A firm deal is expected to be announced on November 4. This news raises a lot of questions to the stagnated BBM roll out. Looks like BBM will take the back seat for a while now.

* The weekend has been very long for Blackberry. With delays and an eventual stall in the roll out of the much awaited BBM on Android and Apple, Blackberry is facing the heat. Lately, nothing seems to be going their way. Last week they made an announcement about laying off 40% of their employees globally. They also reported losses of nearly $1 billion in the three months to August. The weekend didn't seem to do any favours either. With no announcement of when and if the roll out will commence and the official finance reports due to be released this Friday, Blackberry sure has rough days ahead.

* Blackberry made another announcement moments ago stating that the team is working non-stop. No updates on the commencement of roll out was mentioned. All one can do is wait.

* According to the latest reports, BBM has discontinued all roll out operations even for iPhone users. Unexpected issues with respect to the unreleased BBM for Android was stated as the reason to stall the roll out. Blackberry's official blog confirms that an unreleased version of the app for BBM was posted online. The app caused issues due to which the roll out had to be abandoned to address the issue. Blackberry asserts that their team is working round the clock to fix it. They also confirmed that the roll out will be staggered.

* BBM for iPhone is now available on the App Store for UAE.

* Indian iPhone users get BBM at the stipulated time. Android users still stay disappointed. 

* Quitely slamming the fake apps and confirming that the wait is not over yet.

Thanks for your patience #Android users! Working hard to get you the real #BBM ASAP. We'll let you know when it's live. #BBM4ALL

— BBM (@BBM) September 21, 2013

* Australia gets BBM on their iPhones. Android roll out hasn't even started yet.

G'day mates. It's 12:01am somewhere. That's right, we're lookin' at you #Australia. BBM for #iPhone is here.

— BBM (@BBM) September 21, 2013

* Could be a while before BBM is rolled out for Android and Apple users in India. Looks like we have some waiting to do.

Eagerly waiting for @BBM on #Android & #iPhone? Stay tuned here for global roll out updates today! #BBM4ALL

— BBM (@BBM) September 21, 2013

* It’s already been an hour and a half, and there is no information on the possible reason for delay of the release of BBM for Android. The official twitter account tweeted the following.

Hey, at least waiting at home is better than waiting in line. ;) #Android #BBM4ALL

— BBM (@BBM) September 21, 2013

* BBM just announced its release for iPhone users in New Zealand. Download here.

Good morning #NewZealand, welcome to @BBM on #iPhone. #BBM4ALL

— BBM (@BBM) September 21, 2013