BlackBerry Messenger May Be Coming to Android, iOS Devices
The BlackBerry Messenger app has long been one of the most attractive features to draw BlackBerry users to their devices. It appears Research in Motion doesn't want to keep the feature exclusive to BlackBerry phones, though.
Mobile news site BGR published reports from "multiple trusted sources" saying RIM plans to release a BlackBerry Messenger app for iOS and Android devices .
As BGR points out, it seems strange for RIM to let go of the very thing that has kept many BlackBerry users from jumping to an Android phone or iPhone; however, it may be a way for the company to regain some of the market share that has been stolen by similar apps for other phones.
RIM is said to be contemplating a free app, but hasn't ruled out a one-time charge or even recurring fees for the BlackBerry Messenger app on other platforms. The app would offer a "stripped down" version of what BlackBerry users are familiar with. For instance, BlackBerry Messenger might not share photos or location on Android and iOS, but the basic communication would stay the same. Those using a BlackBerry phone would retain full functionality, thus preserving a reason to stick with RIM devices.
Android is supposed to be ready to receive a BlackBerry Messenger app some time this year, but an iPhone or iPad app will be farther off. It's not clear how Apple would react to an app from a direct competitor in the phone market.
