BBM on Android and iOS

Well, for the couple past few days, rumors about RIM bringing BBM to both Android and iOS has been circulating throughout the web. Of course, a couple of Android-user friends of mine has been rejoicing, and a couple of those who use Blackberry have been mourning due to the fact that BBM won't be exclusive anymore.



But let's look at reality, those are still rumors. It's still unclear whether RIM will charge users to use the BBM or not. It's also still unclear what will the BBM features in the android and iOS applications, I sincerely doubt it'll has the full functional capability as the BBM on Blackberry, e.g, able to share pictures, videos, etc. Because seriously, releasing BBM with full functional capability on Android and iOS? It's no longer BBM, might as well call it Mobile Messenger.

RIM's move is quite favorable in fact, that RIM's stock jumped more than 4% in Thursday afternoon trading following the unconfirmed report. Seems like a lot of investors trust them more now!

If I speculate on what their purpose is, this is probably a move to try and give a "taste" of what BBM is like to Android and iPhone users, so they'll consider getting a Blackberry. Remember the principle "the neighbor's grass is greener"? Yes? Well, it still applies even in this current age and time.

But still, the opposite effect may also happen. Android and iPhone users are probably happy enough that they get the BBM at their mobile, and won't even bother to get a Blackberry, after all, BBM is the only key feature that made Blackberry popular.

Moreover, Android and iPhone users can already get a good Kik Messenger, why should they settle for a BBM that's stripped off most of it's features? Most will probably stay on their Kik Messenger and use BBM to contact their Blackberry-user friends.

So what's RIM's next move? We'll just have to wait and see! (and probably speculate more?)