BBM Arriving for Android and iOS This Weekend

Remember when we told you BBM was coming to iOS and Android?  Well, it’s officially [almost] here.  The apps were supposed to launch during the summer, but better late than never.  In a post on the BlackBerry blog, the company has announced that it’s BBM service will be available this weekend.  Android users will get the app first on Saturday, September 21st, while iOS users will be able to download it the following day.

It’s no secret that BBM is BlackBerry’s crown jewel, especially as the company has continued to flail with its recent smartphone offerings.  Recent speculation has made it seem the company will be selling itself in parts and may focus on apps and services, such as BBM.  Also, let’s not forget that BBM is one of the few reasons many people initially used, and then continued to use BlackBerry devices.

BBM for iOS and Android will let users communicate with BlackBerry owners, and will offer features such as delivery, read, and typing notifications. It also lets users share files, images, and voice notes, and supports group chats with up to 30 people. BlackBerry says that its BBM Channels feature will be made available on iOS and Android in the near future.

The app will be available for Android 4.0 and up, and iOS 6 and iOS 7.  The new cross-platform BBM will be competing against other cross-platform messaging services such as Whatsapp.