Rumor: BlackBerry Messenger to land in the App Store on April 26 [Debunked]

Update: Boy Genius Report gets the official word from RIM; BBM is not coming out for iOS on April 26 (and that 'social media conference' where the CEO spoke? Also imaginary). That doesn't mean it never will, but we've erased that "x" from our calendars.

Rumblings of an iPhone version of BlackBerry Messenger surfaced earlier this month from an unidentified source that provided a tip to BGR. Another unconfirmed source has stepped forward with additional information on the MacRumors forums that points to an April 26 debut of the BlackBerry Messenger app in the App Store.

This latest information purportedly comes from an attendee of a social media conference hosted by RIM in Toronto [which never happened -- see above]. During the presentation, RIM's Co-CEO Jim Balsillie supposedly told those in attendance that BBM would make its way to the iOS App Store on April 26. The source also claims the app would be updated this summer with a new notification system. This last piece may be an indirect reference to iOS 5, which may overhaul Apple's current notification system.

Douse this rumor with some pickling salt, kosher salt and table salt as we cannot verify this April 26 date, nor the existence of a BBM app. Based on earlier leaked information and RIM's move to incorporate Android application emulation in its PlayBook tablet, a move to iOS in the upcoming month is not that far-fetched. Anyone a believer?

The image above was provided to TUAW several weeks ago and should not be considered evidence one way or the other of a BBM app.

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Source: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1127653

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Update: Boy Genius Report gets the official word from RIM; BBM is not coming out for iOS on April 26 (and that 'social media...

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m3kw

Looks like the smartest move by RIM in the last few years. They really should stick to what they do best.

March 31 2011 at 12:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jakewu

Most people bought blackberry phones or product just to make use of BBM, if it ever comes to iPhone and Androids, Blackberry should just give up with phone productions.

March 30 2011 at 11:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sam.guaiana

@Shane
BBM and the servers the program run on are immensely more reliable than WhatsApp, Ping, or KIKs servers (probably all three combined)
That alone is the biggest reason this is awesome.
Also, many people who have Blackberrys seem to be (don't hate me) a little less technologically inclined when it comes to things like an app store or things like that. I'm basing that off of my many Blackberry owning friends. Whenever I tell them to get WhatsApp or KIK, they look at me like I told them to land someone on Mars.

March 30 2011 at 5:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Shane

Why on earth are people wanting BBM when a cross platform messaging app already exists, and not only that works on iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia Series 60?

Its called WhatsApp and everyone I know is now using it instead of BBM.

Shane.

March 30 2011 at 5:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tcheney

iPhones don't have Pin numbers like blackberrys. So then the security from blackberry pin messages and bbm won't be there in the iPhone app right? That is the only thing I miss from the days I sported a berry. I just don't under stand why other OS would need bbm

March 30 2011 at 1:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sasha

I have inside information.....

Android apps wont be supported on the playbook till late 2012.......

If RIM does decide to get the BBM app on IOS, it probably wont happen for at least 12 months.

March 30 2011 at 12:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bazinga

Big Bowel Movement?

March 30 2011 at 10:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Joey

BBM is the one feature that keeps Blackberry users hooked.
RIM should rethink porting that app to any platform.

March 30 2011 at 10:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

brianmcashion

Interesting, given that RIM's current TV ad campaign focuses solely on how awesome BBM is, and doesn't mention hardware at all.

March 30 2011 at 8:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Fritz Laurel

And this is needed .... why, exactly?