BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) is on the cusp of releasing its messaging application, BBM, for Android and iOS, but some enterprising users have already gotten their hands on an early version of the application. According to BGR, a user over on the Crackberry forums posted a link to the software.
BBM is a big part of the value of BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB), and the company is looking to make the service stand on its own two feet. The leak of the software is not all that much of a blow to the company’s plans. BlackBerry released a statement saying that the application would not work until the service was launched, even if downloaded.
BBM for Android
That means that the early BBM for Android download will not really let users have an in-depth look at the service. It will simply allow those who download to have an early look at the aesthetics of the application and test the interface. Rumors are swirling that BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) is almost ready to release the application, and some rumors suggest that the company will launch on Friday.
The leak on Crackberry was in the form of a .apk package. The file format is used to download and install applications on Android mobiles. According to posts that appeared on the thread, the leak was legitimate. It gave users access to what appeared to be a beta version of the BBM software.
Users who downloaded and installed the application were able to show it working to some degree, but it got stuck while it was setting up the service. The application will apparently be locked on this step until the official launch of the service. That makes the leak a collectors item with limited appeal.
BlackBerry’s BBM plans
BBM is one of the most valuable parts of BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) business. The service remains incredibly popular among former users of the company’s smartphones, and it has a large amount of brand recognition. If BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) releases a working version on Android and iOS, they can expect reception to be fantastic.
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) may be trying to leverage BBM in order to boost its own value in a takeover deal, or it might be trying to sell the messaging service as a separate entity. Either way, BBM for iOS and Android is coming. For some users it’s already here.
