I don't get it. Why is BlackBerry Messenger so popular? I mean, it's not like you can't use all the IM and group chat apps on Android or iOS?
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Why is BBM so popular?
- Thread starter ConnorTurnbull
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I dont understand why its "awesome" either OP. I personally think its average although it is awesome by Blackberry software standards.
I prefer my Beejive.
I prefer my Beejive.
Its easy to communcate with people without getting any data or text charges, personally thats why i like it
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When you're already paying for data, why not use an IM application that can run on any platform? Almost all of my friends have different types of phones, I'd hate to be stuck talking to only one brand of phone (though coincidentally, my better friends happen to have iPhones lol)
Leet Apple said:
When you're already paying for data, why not use an IM application that can run on any platform? Almost all of my friends have different types of phones, I'd hate to be stuck talking to only one brand of phone (though coincidentally, my better friends happen to have iPhones lol)
Because IM services typically sign people out. Also, I like how BBM tells you if a message has been delivered to someone's phone. With Texting or AIM, you never know if the person actually got your message (whether it's due to bad signal or their phone being off).
Plus, BBM is a standard for Blackberries. It's nice having a standard than having people across MSN, AIM, Yahoo, Facebook etc...
If Apple implemented something similar, it would be amazing. Currently, iOS devices have no way of talking to each other natively - for example, if I want to chat with someone on an iPad, I have to email (which isn't in real-time unless it's Push), or both be signed into an IM service.
If Apple did what it did with Facetime but for messaging, it would be a great thing.
BBM is the be all end all of the Blackberry in my opinion, it is the only thing it has going for it and is probably the biggest factor that leads people to choose a Blackberry over any other phone.
It is popular because it works, is in every BB and every BB has a ping. No need to register an account or download anything to start talking with fellow BB users.
It is popular because it works, is in every BB and every BB has a ping. No need to register an account or download anything to start talking with fellow BB users.
Don't most plans these days include unlimited texting?
Personally, after trying apps like Kik on iPhone, I don't see what all the rage is about. I could see it being useful if this was on an old dinosaur phone that had very limited texting options, but on something like an iPhone, it's pretty much the identical to texting. For someone like me with unlimited texting, it just seems sort of unnecessary. Especially since texting is free and Kik/BBM would add (minimal) data to my limited 1GB data plan.
Personally, after trying apps like Kik on iPhone, I don't see what all the rage is about. I could see it being useful if this was on an old dinosaur phone that had very limited texting options, but on something like an iPhone, it's pretty much the identical to texting. For someone like me with unlimited texting, it just seems sort of unnecessary. Especially since texting is free and Kik/BBM would add (minimal) data to my limited 1GB data plan.
Every single Blackberry has a pin # attached to the device, for life. That PIN is like your personal username/nickname on BBM. There's also no additional costs, its free over a data plan. That's really one of the key features that I especially miss from my BB Curve.
If it is universal for all BB users and free, why not just one of the random free texting apps for your phone?
There are two on my phone that both give me a seperate phone number that anyone can text and gives me unlimited texts (as well as picture texts). One even lets me text multiple people with one text. And the people I text don't have to be using the same app, just have a phone number that supports text (so any cellphone basically). Plus I can text from my computer on at least one of those apps as well using hte same number assigned to the app.
So if the appeal is free and universal (and don't have to be signed in), what advantage does it have over having a smartphone like an iphone or android plus one of the apps that lets you get free texting? Plus the app is more universal cause it allows anyone to text you and you can text anyone and they don't need to have a certain type of cellphone to do it.
Plus if you have an ipod you can turn it into a phone cause those apps also can function as a VOIP phone when you are on wi-fi that you pay per minute (if you don't want to have a contract and don't mind only being able to be called when you have wi-fi so as long as you have wi-fi in your house you have a phone that can at least replace your landline).
There are two on my phone that both give me a seperate phone number that anyone can text and gives me unlimited texts (as well as picture texts). One even lets me text multiple people with one text. And the people I text don't have to be using the same app, just have a phone number that supports text (so any cellphone basically). Plus I can text from my computer on at least one of those apps as well using hte same number assigned to the app.
So if the appeal is free and universal (and don't have to be signed in), what advantage does it have over having a smartphone like an iphone or android plus one of the apps that lets you get free texting? Plus the app is more universal cause it allows anyone to text you and you can text anyone and they don't need to have a certain type of cellphone to do it.
Plus if you have an ipod you can turn it into a phone cause those apps also can function as a VOIP phone when you are on wi-fi that you pay per minute (if you don't want to have a contract and don't mind only being able to be called when you have wi-fi so as long as you have wi-fi in your house you have a phone that can at least replace your landline).
Nope, mine doesn't. It's an extra bit of money just to have texting (10 dollars I think for 200 texts and 30 for unlimited but you can split the unlimited if you have a family plan though you can't split text plans that are not unlimited).
Which is why I just didn't have texting and told people to not text me. But as I pointed out in above post of mine, you can download apps for your iphone (and I'm assuming Droid too) that will give you another phone number that people can text you at (and you can text from) for free (including texting photos). The one I use the most also allows you to text multiple people at once (I know my friend with an Android says he can't do that with the basic texting on the Droid).
So now I have free unlimited texts and photo "texts" *grin*. And I honestly don't see the advantage of the Blackberry which requires the other person have a Blackberry too.
If I didn't have unlimited texting I would most definitely use one of those apps for texting. It's just too convenient to have it on the same number and use the integrated messenger.
Imagine having the ability to set status updates via the Messages app on your phone so all of your contacts can see it. And having an IM service that works as reliably as texts do.
Personally, I could care less about BBM. If someone wants to talk to me, they can call me or shoot me an SMS.
Personally, I could care less about BBM. If someone wants to talk to me, they can call me or shoot me an SMS.
Txting is not the same.
BBM you know when you message is read and delivery wise BBM at worse is as slow a Txt messages but often times faster. Sends quicker and with push it is delivered to the phone quicker. Also does can be sent over wifi. Something that can not be done with txt messages.
Txt messages for me have been as slow as 30 mins between send and receive depending on the network load at the time. If there is a heavy load between my location and were the message needs to go it gets slowed down a lot.
Seriously? Has anyone else experienced this? I've never experienced anything but instantaneous sending and receiving of texts to both iphones and non-iphones. Even on the other side of the globe.
This thread interested me because I've never had a blackberry and always wondered why bbm was any different than texting. I can certainly understand the free argument, but other than that?
We're not all already paying for data though. Just because you are doesn't meant we are all in your shoes.
None of the apps I currently use on my iPhone i.e. Beejive, eBuddy, IM+, comes close to what I experienced with BBM. My colleagues, my buds are still all using it. I feel being left out of the circle 
texting temporary works for me now.
For those who don't understand why BBM is so popular, perhaps you never experience it. Give it a try and let it surprise you
texting temporary works for me now.For those who don't understand why BBM is so popular, perhaps you never experience it. Give it a try and let it surprise you
Over the years it happened maybe 2-3 times to me in my local area.
And that was from a few Tmobile numbers so not sure if it was an AT&T issue or not.
Quite a nice response
I just don't understand how you could use something universal (like the Windows Live Messenger app on iPhone) that is cross-platform rather than BBM.
I just don't understand how you could use something universal (like the Windows Live Messenger app on iPhone) that is cross-platform rather than BBM.