Just a few days ago, BBM entered a state of beta for Android, and we’re already starting to see a steady roll out of announcements and news regarding the upcoming cross-platform messaging app.
Samsung has announced that the upcoming BBM app will be available in the Google Play and the Samsung App store soon and available to all Samsung Galaxy smartphone consumers across Africa.
“At Samsung we are all about collaboration, innovation and driving consumer experience based on choice, value and customisation to suit every lifestyle,” says George Ferreira, VP and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa. “As such, bringing a top tier messaging service such as BBM is another way that we are expanding the catalogue of our messaging services and offering customers an amazing way to stay instantly connected with colleagues, friends and family.”
BlackBerry Messenger will form part of Samsung Messaging Hub as a complementary addition to the other messaging services that Samsung employs for its customers. Offering BBM on Galaxy smartphones in Africa will give Samsung customers access to all BBM features, including BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes.
“It is important to strike a balance between developing high-tech smartphones that carry brands in to the future and creating a sustainable ecosystem that primarily supports the needs of consumers that use these devices. Value added services are considered a prerequisite in the fast-paced, challenging environment that exists today and as a result, we will continue to drive innovation through our smart hub functionalities to ensure our consumers have the choice which they desire,” concludes Ferreira.
“BBM provides one of the best and most robust mobile messaging experiences today. BBM has always set the standard for mobile instant messaging and we are thrilled to bring this experience to Samsung customers across Africa,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President BBM at BlackBerry. “BBM is loved by people who rely on fast, trusted messaging, along with the immediacy that our delivered and read statuses bring. Samsung customers will soon join the BBM nation in its love of the “D” and “R” notifications.”
Customers who wish to download BlackBerry Messenger at launch will be able to do so through both the Samsung Apps store as well as Google Play free of charge.