Blackberry says its new app that opens up the proprietary BBM messaging platform to Android and Apple users was downloaded 10 million times in just over its first 24 hours of availability.
The free app was launched Monday morning.
Using it, people with Android and iOS can exchange messages with friends and colleagues using the BBM system. The system notifies users when each message has been read and indicates when someone is in the process of responding. Files and photos can also be shared over BBM.
There are around 60 million active monthly users of BBM.
The launch of BBM on Android and iOS is about more than just making it easy for people to message Blackberry users.
“We intend to be the leading private social network for everyone who needs the immediate communication and collaboration of instant messaging combined with the privacy, control and reliability delivered through BBM,” said Andrew Bocking, Blackberry’s executive vice president for BBM, in a statement.
But to do that, Blackberry is up against stiff competition from companies like Yahoo, AOL, and Google, which have operated open instant messaging networks for years. It will not only have to convince people of their need for a new platform and to download the app, but it will also have to get people used to exchanging a BBM “PIN,” an alphanumeric code each user has that identifies them, instead of their email address.
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