BlackBerry pauses global rollout of BBM for Android; here's the official statement
All day long we have been updating you with the latest information pertaining to BlackBerry's rollout of BBM for Android and iOS. And well, it really has not been a great week for the Canadian OEM. A write down of nearly $1 billion of BlackBerry Z10 handsets, layoffs of 40% of the payroll, and an exit from the consumer side of the business has had BlackBerry users and fans feel a bit uncertain as to the future of the brand. So what does BlackBerry do in the midst of this rejection of its new platform? It announces its first 5 inch 'Berry and a new C-Series BlackBerry line leaks.
But we digress. The latest word from BlackBerry is that the BBM rollout is on hold. The application never made it to the Google Play Store even as a multitude of fake BBM apps has taken over the Android based app store. Those with iOS were able to install the app in certain locales, although there are some issues with that version of the BBM app. Still, BlackBerry says that iOS users who installed the app can still use it. The unreleased Android app will be disabled. It is this unofficial version of the app that has kept the official app from being released all day.
source: Crackberry
Hopefully it all happens on Sunday and both iOS and Android users get what they were waiting for all day Saturday. BlackBerry's official statement follows.
Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app – is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.
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. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.-BlackBerry statement
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. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.-BlackBerry statement
source: Crackberry
Things that are NOT allowed: