BlackBerry Messenger Shutting Down at the End of May

[MacRumors]

BlackBerry Messenger, aka BBM, is set to shut down on May 31, 2019, BlackBerry announced today. Prior to when the iPhone launched and for several years afterwards, BBM was a key communication method on BlackBerry phones.

As BlackBerry devices fell out of favor, BlackBerry aimed to keep BBM alive with an iOS app that's been available since 2013, but with Messages, WhatsApp, WeChat, and other messaging apps, it's been tough for BBM to compete.

BlackBerry tried to revamp BBM three years ago as a cross-platform messaging service for chatting, watching content, and using payment services, but it didn't work out.

We poured our hearts into making this a reality, and we are proud of what we have built to date.

The technology industry however, is very fluid, and in spite of our substantial efforts, users have moved on to other platforms, while new users proved difficult to sign on.

Though we are sad to say goodbye, the time has come to sunset the BBM consumer service, and for us to move on.

BBM users who don't want the service to end can download BBMe through the Google Play store, as the enterprise version of the app is still available. There is no version for iOS, but CNET says an iOS app is in the works.

Article Link: BlackBerry Messenger Shutting Down at the End of May

 

[44267547]

Those were the days with my Blackberry Curve. I enjoyed it while it lasted before I transitioned to the iPhone.

 

[avanpelt]

End of an era. It was the 2000s version of iMessage.

 

[2010mini]

BB is still around???

 

[marzfreerider]

I still use BBM and will get the new version when available. I like that you can control the messages (retract/delete all or part of a message, private chats and timed messages. I wish iMessage gave you the message options as BBM.

 

[Bearxor]

BB is still around???

BB makes the best Android devices.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Never used it.

 

[sinsin07]

8 years overdue.

 

[JohnApples]

I remember when BBM first came out, EVERYBODY was downloading it and sharing their usernames or codes or whatever.

Then 2 days later nobody said a word about it. Still, sad to see it go.

 

[gplusplus]

Can you believe the tens of people affected by this!?!?

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

How does Blackberry make any money?

Are filthy rich Bob and Dog McKenzie smoking and drinking in the Great White North and just buying them all up without anyone noticing?

 

[dannyyankou]

That’s so funny, literally 3 days ago I randomly remembered this app and was surprised it was still on the App Store. Not surprised it’s shutting down.

 

[C DM]

I remember when BBM first came out, EVERYBODY was downloading it and sharing their usernames or codes or whatever.

Then 2 days later nobody said a word about it. Still, sad to see it go.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/post-your-bbm-pin-here.1656999/

 

[julesme]

What is dead may never die!

 

[subjonas]

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!

-No one
[doublepost=1555648750][/doublepost]

What is dead may never die!

“... but kill the bastards anyway.”

 

[macduke]

I’m surprised this was still running. I never used BlackBerry. I just kinda went straight from dumb phones to the iPhone in June 2007. It was quite the jump.

I remember around this time I found a Blackberry on the ground on campus. I called the girls mom. I remember when the girl came to pick it up at my apartment she said something like “I’m surprised you didn’t just steal it.” Then I showed her my iPhone and she understood. And that’s how I met your mother. JK but I actually did meet my wife a few months later and this would have been a better story. But the rest of the story is true. Also who steals? That’s dumb but especially when you have an iPhone that basically fell out of the future. It was such a different time.

 

[bacaramac]

No idea bbm was still a thing. Thought they went under years ago. I went from dumb smart phone like Nokia to iPhone and never looked back.

 

[Christoffee]

I’m surprised this was still running. I never used BlackBerry. I just kinda went straight from dumb phones to the iPhone in June 2007. It was quite the jump.

I remember around this time I found a Blackberry on the ground on campus. I called the girls mom. I remember when the girl came to pick it up at my apartment she said something like “I’m surprised you didn’t just steal it.” Then I showed her my iPhone and she understood. And that’s how I met your mother. JK but I actually did meet my wife a few months later and this would have been a better story. But the rest of the story is true. Also who steals? That’s dumb but especially when you have an iPhone that basically fell out of the future. It was such a different time.

 

[bgalakazam]

Rip. I miss my blackberries.

 

[stormchasejg]

BBM users who don't want the service to end can download BBMe through the Google Play store, as the enterprise version of the app is still available. There is no version for iOS, but CNET says an iOS app is in the works.​

Article Link: BlackBerry Messenger Shutting Down at the End of May

The iOS version of BBMe is already out on the UK App Store and can be found here

BBM Enterprise by BlackBerry Limited
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bbm-enterprise/id1147293419?mt=8

 

[JetTester]

B'bye! Say hello to T-Rex, woolly mammoth, and saber-tooth tiger for us.

 

[cube]

BBM will still work on BlackBerry phones as it is handled by BlackBerry itself.

Now I just have to tell people to download BBMe.

 

[ghostface147]

Doesn't apply to BBOS and BB10 users. All four of them.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Finish him!

 

[DougFNJ]

End of an era, kind of sad. Blackberry remains alive because of patents.
I remember the response when iPhone released, the CEO said nobody is going to want to type on glass. About a year later they released the Storm followed by the Storm 2 not long after that which actually wasn’t half bad.

They fell behind and stayed behind.