BBM For Android And iOS Will Remain Free

After the initial roll out was plagued with issues, BlackBerry tried its luck once again last week and rolled out BBM for Android and iOS. The second time around, the launch went smoothly. BlackBerry was also quick to abolish to waitlist after launch so that users could get immediate access to the messenger, which is now finally cross-platform. At this point in time, the BBM app for Android and iOS is available for free. Executive vice president of BBM at BlackBerry, Andrew Bocking, confirms that the service will remain free in the future. Though that doesn’t mean BlackBerry won’t monetize it. Bocking says that they have “other ideas” to monetize BBM on Android and iOS. He also promised the release of a couple of new features, which are exclusive to BBM on BlackBerry right now, for other platforms “within months.” These features include video and voice chats. BBM Channels, a social networking feature, is also expected to come on other platforms soon. The feature lets users gather followers and share content with them, BlackBerry may monetize it through advertising and marketing, Bocking says. BBM on Android and iOS is off to a good start. The app garnered over 10 million downloads initially, and continues to sit in the top charts of free apps. Things seem to be looking up at least for one part of BlackBerry.

Source: ubergizmo