BBM For iPhone And Android; Release Date As Early As February; Support For More Devices Running On iOS 6,7

News reports say that BBM for iPhone and Android are closing in on a release date. Blackberry plans to finish its features on the BlackBerry Messenger app with platforms for both iOS and Android.

While BBM went live on both Android and iOS for free of cost in October, last year, all BBM services were not available at the time. Some of the updated changes on the BBM service include BBM Channels, BBM Voice along with BBM Video.

This scenario will change for Android and iOS by February, when the Canadian smartphone maker will upgrade the app to make all its services usable for the iPhone and Android-based mobile devices.

Senior Director, Channel Marketing Asia Pacific, Krishnadeep Baruah said in a NDTV report that BBM requires a lot of checks on privacy and security. More importantly, Blackberry plans to extend its functionality to people around the world.

The unique feature in BBM is that it enables users to take advantage of voice calls to other BBM users without paying anything at all - this would be comparable to a VOIP service like Skype, another voice technology that cuts down on phone bills. The BBM Channels is targeted for groups, particularly those who interact regularly on a social platform.like twitter or facebook.

BBM Channel technology is available to both corporates and individuals.

When Blackberry introduced BBM in 2008, it was the business app that everyone swore by because it was fast like lightning, reports Verge.  When combined with the latest and fastest keyboard hardware, BBM used a niche market for those who wanted speed and function combined in one handset.

In November, 2013, Blackberry updated its BBM apps and added supporting features for more devices like the iPad and iPod that run on iOS 7 and iOS 6.