BBM for iPhone here, BBM for Android delayed

BlackBerry launched its Blackberry Messenger (BBM) app for iPhone in some countries today, but the Android version did not launch on 21 September as expected (Also see BBM launch delay).

Previously exclusive to BlackBerry smartphones, BBM is now available in some countries as a free download in the iTunes App stores (and soon the Google Play store).

While BBM is a very popular mobile messaging service among BlackBerry users in South Africa, it is competing against heavyweights like WhatsApp and WeChat on Android and iOS.

The competitiveness of the mobile messaging field is clearly illustrated when looking at the Google Play store’s “Top Free Android Apps” – WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat and Skype.

Android users who are keen to download BBM should be warned – numerous fake BBM apps have shown up from developers like “BlackBerry Inc” and “BBM Messenger for Android Devices”.

It is not clear why Blackberry delayed the launch of its BBM for Android app.  The company only said: “Thanks for your patience. Working hard to get you the real BBM ASAP. We’ll let you know when it is live.”

More on BBM for Android, iOS

BBM for Android, iPhone here this week

BBM for Android, iPhone: how it will work