BBM Messenger officially hits iPhone and Android

[dieselfuel79]

I don't think anyone will argue about the security and awesomeness that is offered by BBM messenger. It's now available for iPhone and Android.

Be warned though...when you download it, you'll need to enter an email address and wait for confirmation from Blackberry that you have the go ahead to start using BBM. (Sounds like there's been a lot of traffic to use it.)

Just thought some of you might be interested.

Regards,


Brad

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

How is this different or better than iMessage?

I have WhatsApp, Kakao Talk, Line and Kik.

Actually, separate question for anyone who knows:

What is the best free long distance app? I use Kakao Talk and Line, but I get an echo with both.

 

[dieselfuel79]

How is this different or better than iMessage?

Well for one, iMessage can only be used for iPhone users, where BBM can be used on any iPhone, Blackberry or Android. The big thing with BBM is their patented push security. You see, iMessage is an app intergrated into your messaging service....BBM is an actual service.

And finally, since I don't have an iPhone, I believe there are a lot more features on BBM than there is on iMessage.

But, as they say- YMMV.

Also, there is apparently a way to force BBM to run on your device instead of waiting for an email.

http://crackberry.com/bypass-waiting-list-bbm-android-and-ios

 

[Toothpick]

I used to use BBM during the Blackberry craze....when I had one and virtually everyone I knew had one. Now no one I know has a Blackberry and neither do I.

I've been with iPhone for a long time and I've always hatted iMessage. I think I've used it for about 3 days total.

The standard messaging system works fine for me.

 

[Member357]

I've never used it, but I've always heard positive comments from users in the past so i'll check it out.

I tried the tip in the link above but it didn't work for me on IOs so I'll just have to wait it out!

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Wait, isn't iMessage the default iPhone messaging service? I thought iMessage was just a name for the text messaging function on the iPhone. As in, the green box with the white quote bubble in the upper left hand portion of the home screen. I thought that was iMessage.

I signed up for the BBM service and I am waiting for the E-mail. That said, I don't think I know of anyone who uses it, either. But thanks for posting this thread.

I have Kik, which is a messenger service that uses screen names the way AOL Instant Messenger used to. I primarily use WhatsApp, which uses a phone number, but is independent from your phone service (don't ask me how this works, I don't have a clue), so I can "text" people in foreign countries for free. It's great for that.

 

[hawklet00]

its just a beter all around service. its what kik, whatsapp, and imessage have all tried to emulate. i still use a bb, got the z10 on lauch day, and love bbm.

 

[Toothpick]

Wait, isn't iMessage the default iPhone messaging service? I thought iMessage was just a name for the text messaging function on the iPhone. As in, the green box with the white quote bubble in the upper left hand portion of the home screen. I thought that was iMessage.

I message is the default service, but it can be turned off.

Just think of iMessage as the old BBM on Blackberrys - you could either use the BBM between other Blackberrys OR the regular SMS system to other phones.

iMessage is pretty much the same concept but to iPhones.

 

[Member357]

Has anyone managed to get the new BBM working on ios or Android yet?

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

I message is the default service, but it can be turned off.

Just think of iMessage as the old BBM on Blackberrys - you could either use the BBM between other Blackberrys OR the regular SMS system to other phones.

iMessage is pretty much the same concept but to iPhones.

I never had a Blackberry, so... Uh... I went from a flip phone to an iPhone in April and didn't bother to spend much time learning the technology. I am totally ignorant about this stuff.

I noticed that when I text other iPhones, the message bubbles are blue, but when I text phones that are not iPhones, the message bubbles are green. Also, when I text someone with an iPhone when that person or I am outside of service (or something) the message bubble is green. I assume the blue bubbles are iMessage and the green are SMS?

Edit: Okay, I just looked it up and that seems to be correct. I think, however, that I have an unlimited texting plan, so I'm not sure it makes a difference. Or maybe it does.

its just a beter all around service. its what kik, whatsapp, and imessage have all tried to emulate. i still use a bb, got the z10 on lauch day, and love bbm.

Oh, okay. I think I get it. It's basically AOL Instant Messenger for your phone.

I go read carving in rock now.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Has anyone managed to get the new BBM working on ios or Android yet?

Negative. Seems like a long wait. The work around didn't work for my on my S3 Android either.

 

[aihpcfl]

I'm on a Z10, long time BlackBerry user. I don't know the other apps, but I assume you can do file sharing, groups, etc. If that is the case, the additional feature you would have with BBM is delivery and read confirmation, maybe better security, and soon BBM Channels. I think a security feature many may be interested in is that all you share with other BBM users is your PIN, not your phone number, and not your email address. You decide to accept or reject invites, and you can delete a contact. You may be able to block invites from someone, not sure. I'm assuming all you did with BlackBerry is setup a BlackBerry ID with an email address and password.

I'm curious to see how widely this is adopted. As far as it working, I have one friend using it, on an Android device, and it works great. I'm waiting for my kids to install it on their iPhones. Actually, my son is waiting for activation as of last night.

For those having trouble, FYI sending, receiving, accepting invites always worked best when using PIN's. If you are sending invites using email and having trouble, try doing it by sending invite to recipients PIN.

If anyone wants someone to test with, PM me and I'll give my PIN.

 

[Luke49783]

Why not just send someone a text message (SMS)?

The only advantage of something like iMessage or BBM that I can see is if you don't have unlimited texting, but that's becoming increasingly rare.

 

[aihpcfl]

Communication over data is a backup in emergency situations. SMS and the text of MMS are transmitted over the voice network. BBM and other data apps use the data network. If voice is conjested, SMS may not, probably won't, work, but data probably will. Not to mention the other features that SMS and MMS do not have that messaging apps do have, as indicated above.

 

[aihpcfl]

Here is a guy's opinion on why he uses BBM.

https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/37b39dd60ea7

Some good points.

 

[shaveitoff]

Here is a guy's opinion on why he uses BBM.https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/37b39dd60ea7Some good points.

That's a good article. I used to have a Blackberry and forgot about how some of the features in BBM were nice. Although I have unlimited text messaging and have relied on texting instead of messaging systems since going off Blackberry, I did download it for Android. This was just so I'll have a PIN number if someone wants to communicate through BBM. I haven't received the activation email yet.It is interesting that Blackberry is giving away BBM to Android and iphone users. I guess it will open up more cross-platform communication.

 

[Member357]

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, the likes of Whatsapp etc (and potentially bbm) is that I can message internationally at no cost other than my regular data cost. If I send sms overseas I get charged.

Why not just send someone a text message (SMS)?

The only advantage of something like iMessage or BBM that I can see is if you don't have unlimited texting, but that's becoming increasingly rare.

 

[Member357]

After about 30 hours I was at the front of the queue and able to set up an account.

Of course I don't know anyone else who uses it yet so I can't do a lot with it!

 

[rickboone1]

If they don't have an iPhone I don't talk to them. What's wrong with SMS?

 

[Seraphim]

They are rolling out BBM for other platforms so that when Blackberry goes belly up in the near future people can use it with a feeling of nostalgia?