Windows Phone users will finally be able to communicate with BlackBerry, Apple and Android users via BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), as the company is readying its popular instant messaging (IM) service to launch on the platform.
According to BlackBerry, the company has received "an incredible number of requests for BBM to come to Windows Phone". In the coming weeks, says BlackBerry, the company will "be ready to welcome millions of Windows Phone users to the growing BBM community.
This comes over a year after the Canadian company announced it was opening its IM up for free download on iOS and Android platforms. At the time, then CEO Thorsten Heins said the move was ultimately a statement of confidence. "The time is right for BBM to become an independent messaging platform."
The app has been available for Apple and Android users in SA since October. Initial uptake was significant, with 10 million downloads in 24-hours.
BlackBerry says it has been focusing on simplifying the BBM user experience, making it easier to sign up, sign in and add contacts, over the last couple of BBM releases. "When it comes to design, we've heard users asking for a native experience that matches the experience they're accustomed to on their phone."
In response to this, says the company, the release of BBM for Windows Phone will see a more "familiar, native user experience that embraces the clean, modern design of the Windows Phone user interface".
The company says it will also move "quickly" to add features like stickers, BBM Voice, BBM Channels and location-sharing for Windows Phone users "in coming months".
Meanwhile, BlackBerry says it is accepting applications to the beta version of the app at its BlackBerry BetaZone, ahead of the official launch.
The BBM for Windows Phone interface focuses on three key areas: Contacts, Chats and Feeds.
"Swiping left and right will move users between these three pages. Common actions are found at the bottom of the page in the footer, and additional controls can be found in the menu accessed through the three dots."
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