15 May 2013

Blackberry Q5 Launched; BBM To Be Available Free On iPhone And Android

Smartphones-maker BlackBerry has been super-active this year. It has, today, launched the BlackBerry Q5, its third smartphone launch this year, with all three running on the new BlackBerry 10 platform.

In addition, President and CEO Thorsten Heins has just announced that BBM would become a multi-platform messaging service, which means that the patented service will now be available on more than just BlackBerry.

The BBM messaging service will land on the iPhone, as well as Android smartphones this summer with the messaging and groups features. BBM Voice, screen sharing, video and channels will be rolled out later, he said.

It is no secret that the BlackBerry team had been working on widening the scope of the BBM service, but this is a good surprise nevertheless. 

In a media statement, Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice-President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry said: “For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service. BBM has always been one of the most engaging services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We’re excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community.”

Which in effect means that we will no longer have to have a BlackBerry smartphone to enjoy the BBM service. Our iPhones, as well as Galaxys and other smartphones running on Android will do the trick too.  BBM is loved by customers for its “D” and “R” statuses, which show up in chats to let people know with certainty that their message has been delivered and read. It provides customers with a high level of control and privacy over who they add to their contact list and how they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform.

Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.

If approved by Apple and Google, the BBM app will be available as a free download in the Apple App Store and Google Play store. For a company that sat on its laurels for almost 10 years, the year 2013 has been nothing short of miraculous, with the company changing its name (from Research in Motion), launching a brand new platform (BlackBerry 10), and with the latest BlackBerry Q5, the number of phones it has unveiled in the past four months or so totals three.

With a QWERTY keyboard, the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone is in fact a watered-down and affordable sibling of the BlackBerry Q10.

Heins has just revealed the Q5 device onstage at BlackBerry Live. The Q5’s Instant Action shortcuts help users type faster and therefore perform tasks faster. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone comes with a classic QWERTY keyboard for optimized communications but sports a 3.1” touchscreen, similar to the Q10.

Highlights include the BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker, both of which add layers of features that will help users create the picture perfect shot (with the Time Shift mode) and then create and share the story, weaving together photos, videos and music into a movie with the BlackBerry Story Maker.


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