WSJ: BlackBerry mulling spinning off BBM subsidiary, considering desktop version

Posted on 27/08/2013 by Brian Heater

We'll say this, BlackBerry looks to be considering everything when it comes to pulling in revenue from its messaging service. False alarms aside, the company already let slip that BlackBerry Messenger is on its way to iOS and Android some time this season, and now according to The Wall Street Journal's usual gang of anonymous sources "familiar with the matter," the Canadian company is thinking of spinning off the service as a more independent subsidiary carrying the straight-forward name, BBM Inc. ahead of a potential sale. A desktop version of the app may be on the docket as well, according to the article -- BlackBerry, naturally, only reconfirmed its Android and iOS plans, refusing to comment on anything else.

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Software, Blackberry

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Via: BGR

Source: Wall Street Journal

BBM expected to arrive on iOS and Android June 27th (update: nope)

Posted on 06/06/2013 by Brad Molen

BlackBerry Messenger may seem like a distant memory for many who have made the jump to iOS or Android, but it'll soon be time to get reacquainted. According to a tweet from T-Mobile UK, we should expect to see the service arrive on both platforms on June 27th. BBM should be available as a free download specifically for anyone using iOS 6 and Android 4.0 or above, so make sure your device is properly updated before the end of the month -- hopefully the messaging service will make you want to create new memories in addition to the ones you've relished in years past.

Update: T-Mobile UK has since deleted its tweet, and BlackBerry has confirmed that the June 27th date is inaccurate.

Update 2: Here is BlackBerry's official statement on the matter:

On May 14th, BlackBerry announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Blackberry

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Via: Slashgear

Source: T-Mobile UK (Twitter)

Mobile Miscellany: week of October 8th, 2012

Posted on 14/10/2012 by Zachary Lutz

If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Samsung confirmed its Canadian release date for the Galaxy Note II, Alcatel took the wraps off of its first Windows Phone and it was revealed that T-Mobile will no longer openly market the iPhone in conjunction with its BYOD value plans. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of October 8th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of October 8th, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, RIM, T-Mobile

Mobile Miscellany: week of October 8th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBM for BlackBerry 10 gets a retooled UI, predictive keyboard with language detection

Posted on 25/09/2012 by Billy Steele

Everyone's favorite messaging service, BBM has broke from cover in its new BlackBerry 10 digs at BlackBerry Jam Americas 2012. The software is sporting a redesigned UI, which places the focus on your contacts' photos instead of the regular ol' list of names. Speech bubbles that we've all become familiar with are still here and emoticons get cozy as well. Another new feature is the predictive keyboard that's capable of detecting the language that you're typing in and offers the appropriate suggestions that you may need -- even if you're switching back and forth.

Gallery: BBM for BlackBerry 10

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

BBM for BlackBerry 10 gets a retooled UI, predictive keyboard with language detection originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Service Outage in Europe

Posted on 21/09/2012 by i4u

According to the Wall Street Journal, RIM has BlackBerry service issues selected regions around the world. RIM issued a short statement: "RIM is currently experiencing a BlackBerry service issue...

Indian official claims BlackBerry eavesdropping standoff is ‘heading towards a resolution’

Posted on 09/08/2012 by Zachary Lutz

Oh, bureaucracies, the fun in dealing with them is that you're told exactly what they want you to know -- or at least, believe. That's the name of the game in India, where -- as you're surely aware -- the government has been at odds with RIM for years over its insistence that the Waterloo firm provide the means to monitor encrypted emails and BBM messages. In a revelation that may relate to those BlackBerry servers in Mumbai, R. Chandrasekhar of India's Department of Information Technology has asserted, "The issue is heading towards a resolution." While it's difficult to know whether monitoring is already in place, Chandrasekhar added that, "Law enforcement agencies will get what they need." Another unknown is whether RIM played a role in these developments. For its part, the company claims, "RIM maintains a consistent global standard for lawful access requirements that does not include special deals for specific countries." So, if everything is now clear as mud for you, just remember: that's how those in charge like it.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Indian official claims BlackBerry eavesdropping standoff is 'heading towards a resolution' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phys.Org | source

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Telkomsel’s new unlimited messaging plan gives Indonesians an alternative to BBM

Posted on 30/07/2012 by Edgar Alvarez

As far as monopolies go, word on the interwebs is BlackBerry holds a pretty major one with its own BBM in Indonesian territory. According to DailySocial, though, that all could be changing soon thanks to Telkomsel's newly introduced all-you-can-message plans. The deal's fairly simple, the Indonesian carrier's bundling applications like Opera Mini, Line, WhatsApp and KakaoTalk in an unlimited package, with pricing starting at a mere 30,000 Rp (around $3) per month. Obviously, with the inclusion of a couple of the aforementioned apps, Indonesians could -- in theory -- also make calls without using their precious minutes, which is quite a good deal for under four bucks. In the end, it looks like it'll come down to how attached folks are to all those BlackBerry Messenger pins and whistles.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software

Telkomsel's new unlimited messaging plan gives Indonesians an alternative to BBM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM applies for patent on detecting emotion in messaging, wants you chilled while you BBM

Posted on 19/07/2012 by Jon Fingas

Ever get the shakes sending out an angry text message? You'd better be careful if you buy a BlackBerry in the future, as RIM is trying for a patent that would telegraph all that wrath to the recipient on the other end. The technique uses a myriad of sensors, like an accelerometer, front camera or pressure sensor, to gauge just how emotional a smartphone owner might be and convey that through livelier messaging styles. Get flustered and that BlackBerry Messenger font gets big, bold and red; mellow out with a smile, and the conversation text becomes almost cuddly. Whether or not the patent is granted, let alone used, is very much an unknown. We have a hunch that RIM would rather not make BlackBerry users keep a poker face.

Filed under: Cellphones

RIM applies for patent on detecting emotion in messaging, wants you chilled while you BBM originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM CEO hints at future BBM video chat feature

Posted on 10/07/2012 by Terrence O'Brien

During today's shareholder meeting RIM CEO Thorsten Heins hinted that BBM, the companies celebrated group messaging service, might be getting some significant upgrades with the debut of BB10. In particular, the words "video chat" were tossed out as an example of how it planned to keep pace with the evolving mobile landscape. In response to a shareholder question, Heins said:

"BBM is a very, strong platform... With upgrading it into a new experience, think about adding features on BB10 such as video chat, for example, within BBM. There's many other features to come with BB10 that will really level this BBM experience... which will upgrade that experience to a whole new social networking experience based on BBM... we want to use this to build a BlackBerry-driven social networking platform."

So, does that mean BlackBerry is getting ready to take on Skype and Google? Perhaps. It would certainly make sense, but we'd stop short calling it a sure shot. What is clear, is that Heins really wants to push BlackBerry as the "social" platform focused on "experience" and seems content to let those other mobile OSes win the apps race.

Filed under: Software

RIM CEO hints at future BBM video chat feature originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boost Mobile takes BlackBerry Curve 9310 to the US, spices it up with $30 unlimited BBM, voice and text plan

Posted on 27/06/2012 by Jon Fingas

RIM gave the impression when it unveiled the BlackBerry Curve 9320 and 9220 that its lowest-cost Curves were doubtful prospects for the US. Thankfully, that's been proven wrong by Boost Mobile, which just launched the 9320's CDMA cousin, the Curve 9310. The message-manic BlackBerry comes to Sprint's prepaid network with its BBM key intact as well as BlackBerry 7.1, a 3.2-megapixel camera and that all-important low price: at $100 contract-free, it's one of the cheapest ways to leap into smartphones in the US. To top it off, Boost is throwing in a very tantalizing BBM Unlimited plan. The deal offers unlimited calling, text messaging and (naturally) BBM; although it starts at $45 per month, it gradually dips down to a very reasonable $30 per month if owners pay their bills properly for six months. Both the Curve 9310 and its companion plan will be available July 10th, giving us time to find the needed spare change under our couch cushions.

Boost Mobile takes BlackBerry Curve 9310 to the US, spices it up with $30 unlimited BBM, voice and text plan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.