BBM (software)

For the current messenger product, see BBM Enterprise.
BBM
Developer(s)BlackBerry Ltd. (2005–present)
Emtek (2017–2019)
Initial releaseAugust 1, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-08-01)
Final release
10.15.7.5 / May 2017; 7 years ago (2017-05)
Operating systemBlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Windows 10 Mobile, Nokia X
SuccessorBBM Enterprise
TypeInstant messaging client
LicenseFreemium
Websitebbm.com

BBM, also known by its full name BlackBerry Messenger, was a consumer-oriented proprietary mobile instant messenger and videotelephony application service originally developed by BlackBerry Limited and later briefly by Indonesian company Emtek under licence. Initially it was included and offered on BlackBerry devices before it was expanded cross-platform. BBM was shut down on 31 May 2019;[1] the company since continues to offer the paid enterprise edition, BBM Enterprise.

Messages sent via BBM were sent over the Internet and sent using the BlackBerry PIN system. In the past, many service providers allowed sign-in to BBM using a dedicated BlackBerry data plan.[2] Exchanging messages was possible to a single person or via dedicated discussion or chat groups, which allowed multiple BlackBerry devices to communicate in a single session. In addition to offering text-based instant messages, BBM also allowed users to send pictures, voicenotes (audio recordings), files (up to 16 MB), share real time location on a map, stickers and a wide selection of emojis.

Communication was possible only among BlackBerry devices, until late 2013 when BBM was released on iOS and Android systems followed by Windows Phone. Over 300 million Stickers were shared. Daily, approximately 150,000 BBM Voice Calls were placed. There were more than 190 million BBM users worldwide as of 2015,[3] and BlackBerry infrastructure handled 30 petabytes of data traffic each month by early 2013.[4] BBM was the original "mobile-first" messaging service,[5][6] and was popular for a while before it started to lose out to rivals.[7] It remained particularly popular in Indonesia, the only country where BBM was the most popular instant messenger in 2016 – installed on 87.5% of Android devices.[8]

  1. ^ "BlackBerry Messenger is shutting down for good on 31 May | TheINQUIRER". theinquirer.net. 2019-04-23. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "What do I need a Data Plan for?". Research In Motion Limited. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  3. ^ "CES 2015: BlackBerry Unveils IoT Platform, Device Prices on AT&T, Momentum for BBM and New Smartwatch App (Pictures)". blackberry.com.
  4. ^ "Procurement Outsourcing BPO – Accenture" (PDF). procurian.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-02.
  5. ^ "The history of messaging, and where it's going". February 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "BBM is Not Actually Competing with WhatsApp - UTB Blogs". Archived from the original on 2019-02-17. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  7. ^ "Why Did Cross-Platform BBM Fall Over So Quickly?". Lifehacker Australia. September 30, 2013.
  8. ^ "The Most Popular Messaging App in Every Country". SimilarWeb.