BBM opens to Africa

BBM is now available as a free download in Google Play across all All android devices. The app is also available from the Apple App Store.

The launch follows the rollout of BBM for Samsung Galaxy smartphone customers in Africa over the past three days.

In just 24 hours BBM was downloaded over 10 million times by Android and iPhone users, one of the best single-day openings for a mobile app to date. To help manage the pent up demand for BBM and get everyone on the service as quickly as possible, a simple line-up system has been implemented to help ensure a smooth roll out.

To get the fastest possible access to BBM, Android and iPhone users should visit BBM.com from their Android or iPhone browser. Once they’ve downloaded the app, users should launch it and enter their email address to hold their spot in line. BlackBerry will send them an email when they reach the front of the line. Customers can then log in and start using BBM.

Users among the six million who took the time to sign up at BBM.com will be the first to gain access to the service. Users who aren’t among the initial group will be moved through the line as quickly as possible.

BBM for Android and iPhone features:

BBM Chat (One to One or Multi-Person Chat) Enjoy real, immediate conversations with friends on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. Not only does BBM let you know that your message has been delivered or read, it also shows you that your friend is responding to the message.

More than chat With BBM you can share files on your phone such as photos and voice notes, all in an instant.

Keep your group in the loop BBM Groups lets you invite up to 30 friends to chat together and goes a step further by allowing Groups to share photos, files and calendars.

Post Updates and stay in the know BBM lets you simply and easily post a personal message, profile picture and your current status, and lets your contacts know instantly in Updates.

*BBM is available for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) as well as iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7.

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