BlackBerry messenger, one of the most popular instant messaging services, had announced its arrival on iOS and Android platforms earlier, but it looks like manufacturers are already warming up to the concept of pre-loading it on their devices. Micromax is the one of the first manufacturers to announce that it will pre-load BBM on all of its Canvas Smartphones starting from the first week of October. But of course existing users too, can download the BBM app through the play store, irrespective of the device they own.
It is well known that Micromax has its own instant messenger too, called HookUp, which is pre-installed on all Micromax devices, but this announcement might have just signaled the end of it. As it is, it wasn’t used much, owing to the popularity of other messengers like Whatsapp, WeChat and Hike, but to know that BBM is now here, it might as well be the end of HookUp. On the announcement, Deepak Mehrotra, VP, Micromax says –
We have built a strong mobile ecosystem for our users, which not only drives them to buy our products, but also builds a connection with the brand by massifying and democratizing technology in India. Bringing one of the most popular mobile messaging services with BBM on our smartphones is yet another effort to expand our bouquet of messaging services for our consumers to connect and communicate seamlessly with their loved ones.”
“We will continue to drive innovation ensuring that our customers have preferential access to the latest and most exciting applications such as the BBM in the future as well
After recent news that Micromax has almost the same marketshare as Samsung in the Indian Smartphone market, it makes sense for the company to pre-load a popular messenger in its phones, apart from various other apps, because the pre-installed apps are always the first apps that new Smartphone users experience. The out-of-the-box experience is crucial and all the companies know it. So, it kinda makes sense for this announcement.
On the BlackBerry side, Sunil Lalvani, MD – Indian operations says
“BBM offers customers a highly engaging mobile messaging experience, with the assurance that your message has been delivered and read, and privacy controls that let you easily connect with people without forcing you to give out your phone number or email address. We are delighted to work with Micromax to bring BBM to their customers directly on Canvas smartphones across India,”
The BBM app for all Android and iOS Smartphones will hopefully go live on the respective stores on 21st and 22nd respectively. We will be constantly checking to let you know immediately after it lands on the stores, so stay tuned to the blog for the upcoming details.