BBM Channels owners can post messages, share pictures, start discussions, post animated GIFs and chat directly with subscribers. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
With the BBM app coming pre-installed, users can directly engage with other BBM users without having to download the app or incurring download charges. "BBM will soon come pre-installed on a variety of Android-based smartphones from leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) across Africa, India, Indonesia, Latin America and the Middle East,"
BlackBerry said in a statement.
Beginning next month, Android smartphones from
Be,
Brightstar,
Celkon,
EVERCOSS,
IMO, Micromax,
Mito,
Snexian, Spice,
TECNO,
TiPhone and Zen will include BBM pre-installed, it added. BBM will continue to be available as a free download from Android app stores, including
Google Play.
"It is clear that smartphone customers see BBM as a must have app for active conversations. The uptake we have seen for BBM since the launch on Android and iPhone is amazing,"said Andrew Bocking, executive vice president with BlackBerry.
BBM is already available pre-loaded on Micromax's
Canvas Turbo and will now be preloaded in the entire forthcoming range of
Canvas phones.
BlackBerry on Wednesday also launched its
BBM Channels, which will allow brands to engage with people and communities. The platform will be made available for BlackBerry users on BlackBerry OS 5 and above and
BlackBerry 10 through
BlackBerry World, a company statement said. Existing BlackBerry users can update to the latest version of BBM to have access to BBM Channels, it added.
"BBM Channels builds on BBM's strengths of engagement and communications and gives BBM users a rich community-building tool that will allow them to connect with brands, influencers and people of shared interests," the statement said. Channels owners can post messages, share pictures, start discussions, post animated GIFs and chat directly with subscribers.
BlackBerry had launched a limited beta testing for BBM Channels in May this year. BBM Channels for iPhone and Android devices will be launch in the coming months, the statement said.
BlackBerry is betting big on Channels to rake additional revenue in the coming months. Brand owners, who will pay for using Channels, will get to connect with users and reach out to newer audiences in return for new ones.
The Canadian firm has been facing stiff competition from other smartphone makers like
Apple Inc. and
Samsung Electronics Co. as sales have declined over the past few months. It is now looking at monetizing through options like Channels and the BBM app across platforms (iOS and Android).
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