Black Berry Messenger (BBC) App for iOS and Android is missing some features

BlackBerry finally flipped the switch on its oft-delayed BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) application for iOS and Android.

Talk about demand: BBM was downloaded more than 10 million times during its first 24 hours, says the company.

App Insider took the application for a spin — on both an iPhone and Android — and while it is missing some of the features found in the BlackBerry version, this smart instant messaging service proves to be a fast, reliable, secure and fun way to communicate with friends, family and colleagues.

In case you have never owned a BlackBerry, BBM allows you to communicate in real-time through BlackBerry's secure servers, without requiring a text message package from your wireless carrier. You can see when your message has been delivered and read; chat with multiple people at once; broadcast a message to a large number of people; create groups for easy communication; send attachments like photos and documents; and post a status update people can read before they reach you (such as "In a meeting").

Up until this week, BBM was only available for BlackBerry owners, while cross-platform apps like WhatsApp, Viber and WeChat saw a huge gain in users over the past few years.
Now that BBM is finally available on multiple devices, many have wondered if it was worth the wait – especially with so many BBM alternatives. The answer is yes, though the app doesn't let you do things possible in the latest BlackBerry version, such as make voice and video calls for free over Wi-Fi to anyone in the world – but BlackBerry says it's in the works. You can, however, send a voice note to someone over BBM. The iOS and Android versions also do not support BBM Channels, BlackBerry's social networking feature.

For both of the new versions, the interface is attractive and clean, making it easy to start a chat, see your conversation as linear speech bubbles and use some fun emoticons — and you'll know when the messages have been delivered and read with the little D and R letters, respectively. Large buttons on the bottom let you invite more people, attach a file and add new contacts or groups.

BBM will always be on and always connected – that is, no app to open – regardless of what platform you are using. You can post a profile picture of yourself or use an animated Graphics Intercharge Format (GIF) for added fun.

How to get going? Like its BlackBerry brethren, all BBM users get a unique PIN (Personal Identification Number) that's not tied to your mobile number. To sign up, visit BBM.com from your iPhone or Android browser to download the BBM app from the app store. Once installed, you will be prompted to enter your email address to retrieve your PIN. You might get a notification saying your spot has been saved in a virtual queue, and you will receive an email when it is ready (a few hours to a day or so). The last step is to type in your credentials to launch the app.

To get someone's PIN, you can send them a text or email right from within the app or display your unique Quick Response (QR) code for someone to scan beside you on their device (or vice-versa). Or, if you've spent any time on Facebook or Twitter this week, simply post your PIN number to those who matter.

BBM for iOS and Android is a treat for expats who left the BlackBerry platform, as well as those new to instant messaging world. Its reliability, speed and security give it an edge over IM alternatives, but BlackBerry needs to beef up its feature set to truly compete on multiple platforms.

Via - usatoday.com