Yesterday we heard that BBM For Android and iPhone would land on these devices on the 27th of June, and now it would appear that BlackBerry has plans to expand BlackBerry Messenger beyond other mobile platforms.
According to a recent report by Cnet, BlackBerry are in discussions with other smartphone makers about the possibility of BBM coming preloaded on their devices.
“There is interest from other handset makers,” BlackBerry Chief Operating Officer Kristian Tear told CNET in an interview on Wednesday.
As yet there are no details on which smartphone makers BlackBerry are in discussions with. Obviously, BlackBerry is looking to expand their BBM platform, and having it pre-loaded on new devices from other manufacturers could help them increase their 61 million user base.
The Potential Impact of Preloading BBM
Preloading BBM on rival handsets could have a significant impact on BlackBerry’s market presence. By integrating BBM into devices from other manufacturers, BlackBerry could potentially tap into a broader audience. This strategy could be particularly effective in emerging markets where BBM still holds a strong reputation for secure messaging. Additionally, preloading BBM could provide users with a seamless experience, eliminating the need to download the app separately and thus increasing user engagement from the get-go.
Moreover, this move could also be seen as a way for BlackBerry to compete with other popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. By making BBM readily available on a variety of devices, BlackBerry could position itself as a versatile and accessible messaging platform, potentially attracting users who are looking for alternatives to the current market leaders.
Challenges and Considerations
While the idea of preloading BBM on rival handsets is promising, it does come with its own set of challenges. One of the primary concerns is whether other smartphone manufacturers would be willing to collaborate with BlackBerry. Given the competitive nature of the smartphone industry, manufacturers might be hesitant to pre-install a messaging app that could potentially compete with their own services.
Another consideration is user acceptance. While BBM has a loyal user base, convincing new users to switch from their current messaging apps could be a daunting task. BlackBerry would need to offer compelling features and a superior user experience to attract and retain new users. This could involve enhancing BBM’s functionality, improving its user interface, and ensuring robust security features that have been a hallmark of the platform.
Furthermore, BlackBerry would need to invest in marketing and partnerships to promote BBM’s availability on new devices. This could involve collaborations with telecom operators, promotional campaigns, and possibly even incentives for users to try out BBM.
The potential expansion of BBM through preloading on rival handsets represents a strategic move by BlackBerry to regain its footing in the competitive messaging app market. While there are challenges to overcome, the benefits of increased user base and market presence could make this a worthwhile endeavor for BlackBerry. As the discussions with smartphone makers progress, it will be interesting to see which manufacturers come on board and how this initiative unfolds in the coming months.
Source Cnet
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