Flagging cellphone maker BlackBerry's BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service has added more than 20 million new users on Android and iPhone smartphones, growing the user base to 80 million.
BBM was made available to Android and iPhone users on 21 October and saw more than 10 million downloads in the first 24 hours, it says in a statement. It says it ended its first week with more than 80 million monthly active users.
The take up of the unofficial app, which had been leaked, led to BlackBerry delaying the official launch by about a month. At the time, the company said the older version resulted in data traffic volumes being substantially higher, which impacted the system in abnormal ways.
In the first week since the official launch, it was the top free overall app in 35 countries via Google Play and in 107 countries in the App Store, it says. BlackBerry's initial launch of the service for Android and iPhone users was thwarted in September by a previously-unreleased, older version, which gained 1.1 million users in eight hours.
"It is great to see so many people downloading BBM, but the true measurement for us is engagement - the connections being made and the conversations in which our BBM community engages. The power of BBM has always been the active, real conversations and interaction that our customers enjoy," said Andrew Bocking, executive VP of BBM at BlackBerry.
"From here on out, we will focus on active users of BBM and will no longer focus on simple download numbers."
New offerings
Within eight hours of the official launch, more than five million BBM downloads had taken place. At the time, Bocking called the torrent of downloads unprecedented, and said the company had implemented a line-up system to ensure smooth rollout.
This past weekend, BlackBerry removed the virtual line-up system that required people to apply for the app and queue. Now Android and iPhone users can immediately download, sign in and start using BBM without waiting in line.
In the next few months, BlackBerry will deliver BBM Video calling, BBM Voice calling and BBM Channels - a new community building service to connect BBM users more broadly - to Android and iPhone users.
BBM Channels is a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow users to connect and engage with businesses, brands and celebrities. It aims to leverage the user base to monetise the instant messaging service.
Android and iPhone device users can download BBM by visiting BBM.com.
Share