BBM Aka BlackBerry Messenger to Shut Down in Could, however BBM Enterprise Turns into Out there to Particular person Customers

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is shutting down. Emtek, an Indonesia-based firm which had taken over the event of BBM client model in 2016, on Thursday introduced that will probably be winding down the messaging service on Could 31, 2019. In gentle of Emtek’s announcement, BlackBerry has said it’s releasing BBM Enterprise (BBMe) for the person customers. The Android model of the BBMe is already accessible for obtain, whereas the iOS model might be coming quickly. BlackBerry Messenger as soon as was one of the vital fashionable messaging apps in world and a key function of the BlackBerry units. It was later launched on Android and iOS platforms, however its reputation dwindled as competing chat apps like WhatsApp and Fb Messenger gained momentum.

Emtek blamed the problem of bringing new customers to BBM as one of many the reason why it’s closing down the service. BlackBerry Messenger will proceed to stay practical as much as Could 31, after which the app will stop to function.

“Three years in the past, we got down to reinvigorate BBM client service, one of the vital beloved prompt messaging functions, as a cross-platform service the place customers cannot solely chat and share life experiences, but additionally eat content material and use fee companies,” Emtek wrote in a weblog submit. “The know-how trade nonetheless, may be very fluid, and despite our substantial efforts, customers have moved on to different platforms, whereas new customers proved tough to signal on.”

It is very important observe right here that BBOS or BlackBerry 10 customers will stay unaffected as BlackBerry continues to handle BBM for the platform, however they will not be capable to ship and obtain messages from BBM for Android/ iOS customers after Emtek shuts the app down.

In the meantime, following Emtek’s determination, BlackBerry has determined to step in, and the corporate revealed in a press launch that it’s bringing BBM Enterprise to the person customers. The service was earlier restricted to the corporate’s enterprise clients. BBMe is now accessible as a free obtain from Google Play Retailer and will probably be coming to Apple App Retailer quickly.

BBMe comes with built-in enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption
Picture Credit score: Google Play Retailer/ BlackBerry

In accordance with BlackBerry, BBMe might be free to make use of for the primary 12 months, following which the customers should purchase a six-month subscription at $2.49 (roughly Rs. 170). Provided that BBMe consists of built-in enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption, which isn’t accessible in BBM client model, the subscription could also be price value for avid BBM customers.

“This determination [to release BBMe for individual users] was made out of BlackBerry’s respect for loyal BBM customers and was not a contractual obligation,” BlackBerry stated in a press release.

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