RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger IM service could be coming to Android, according to the latest rumors out of the Canadian company. BGR‘s sources claim that RIM is looking to launch feature-lite versions of BBM for Android and iOS later in 2011, in the hope of luring users across to BlackBerry phones with the promise of full functionality.
The Android and iOS apps, as described, would have basic text messaging support, but not be able to share multimedia or location information. That would be limited to real BlackBerry phones. Pricing is also unconfirmed; RIM is apparently considering making the apps free, but is also looking at potentially charging for individual downloads or even an ongoing service charge.
The leak comes after Facebook acquired Beluga, a popular cross-platform IM service that had been compared to BBM.
[via SlashGear]
This could make messaging very interesting. Just the plain text stuff, alone, could make BBM on my iPhone far more appealing than virtually any other service just because it will plug right into my wife’s BlackBerry habit.
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