BlackBerry delayed the rollout of BBM for Android and iPhone — not launching This Week

In May, BlackBerry announced plans to offer BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) to devices other than its own for the first time.

BBM for Android was made-up to launch on 21 sept but it never transpired. As many waited patiently throughout the day without a release or update from Blackberry, an escape from the night before continued to circulate, giving many a first-hand look at the messaging service.

The company had to unrestraint plans to launch BlackBerry Messenger for Android and iOS devices as an unreleased version of the BBM app for Android was leaked online before BlackBerry could get it official.

It was supposed to launch this week later but now Andrew Bocking, head of BBM at BlackBerry, says that he does not “anticipate launching this week” and that the re-launch for Android and iOS will “take time.”

“Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it’s ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM,” said BlackBerry’s Luke Reimer. “As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone.”

According to reports, the seeped version of BBM was apparently downloaded 1.1 million times in just 8 hours specifying the high demand for the Blackberry instant messaging service on other mobile platforms.

The report added that the company did not announce the next date for the BBM launch on third-party phones.

People who have already downloaded BBM for the iPhone can continue to use it. But the company said it’s drawing the unreleased Android app and advices Android users to visit its BBM website for further updates on Android availability.

Although BlackBerry did not elaborate on the cause of these “issues”, security expert Graham Cluley acclaimed that BlackBerry may not have been able to cope with the spike of activity hitting its servers.

BlackBerry announce last Friday that it is expects to lose $950 million to $995 million in the fiscal second quarter. The company plans to cut 4,500 jobs as it shifts its attention to the ‘prosumer’ market, a move that comprises of reducing its smartphone lineup from six devices to four: two high-end devices and two more affordable models. The company is even sightseeing alternatives which include sale of all or part of the company.