BlackBerry 'pauses' global rollout of BBM for Android, iOS

NEW YORK: Smartphone maker BlackBerry has paused the global roll out of instant messaging service BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) on rival Android and iPhones, blaming the delay on issues caused by an unreleased version.


However, the Canada-based firm, which has not specified the time when the app will be available, said customers who have downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to use it.

"We know you're waiting. Pausing #BBM4All rollout to fix issues caused by unreleased BBM for Android app," BlackBerry said on social networking site Twitter.

"We will provide you an update on timing as soon as we can. Teams are working non-stop," it added.

Blackberry had earlier announced that it will provide its popular chat application BBM on Android operation system from September 21 and for iPhone users from September 22.

Explaining the reasons behind the delay, BlackBerry on its official blog said: "Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already, more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app, is incredible.

"Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day."

It further said: "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.

"We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM."

The unreleased Android app will be disabled and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability, BlackBerry said.

"As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone," the blog post said.

These issues have not impacted the BBM service for BlackBerry, it added.

BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers on BlackBerry alone, and majority use BBM an average of 90 minutes per day. BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day as compared to other mobile messaging apps, it added.