BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is shutting down. Emtek, an Indonesia-based firm which had taken over the event of BBM shopper model in 2016, on Thursday introduced that it is going to be winding down the messaging service on Might 31, 2019. In mild of Emtek’s announcement, BlackBerry has acknowledged it’s releasing BBM Enterprise (BBMe) for the person customers. The Android model of the BBMe is already accessible for obtain, whereas the iOS model shall be coming quickly. BlackBerry Messenger as soon as was once one of the in style messaging apps in world and a key function of the BlackBerry units. It was later launched on Android and iOS platforms, however its recognition dwindled as competing chat apps like WhatsApp and Fb Messenger gained momentum.

Emtek blamed the issue of bringing new customers to BBM as one of many the reason why it’s closing down the service. BlackBerry Messenger will proceed to stay useful as much as Might 31, after which the app will stop to function.

“Three years in the past, we got down to reinvigorate BBM shopper service, one of the beloved on the spot messaging functions, as a cross-platform service the place customers cannot solely chat and share life experiences, but in addition eat content material and use cost providers,” Emtek wrote in a weblog submit. “The expertise business nonetheless, could be very fluid, and despite our substantial efforts, customers have moved on to different platforms, whereas new customers proved tough to signal on.”

You will need to be aware right here that BBOS or BlackBerry 10 customers will stay unaffected as BlackBerry continues to handle BBM for the platform, however they will not be capable to ship and obtain messages from BBM for Android/ iOS customers after Emtek shuts the app down.

In the meantime, following Emtek’s choice, BlackBerry has determined to step in, and the corporate revealed in a press launch that it’s bringing BBM Enterprise to the person customers. The service was earlier restricted to the corporate’s enterprise clients. BBMe is now available as a free obtain from Google Play Retailer and it is going to be coming to Apple App Retailer quickly.

BBMe comes with built-in enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption
Photograph Credit score: Google Play Retailer/ BlackBerry

In response to BlackBerry, BBMe shall be free to make use of for the primary , following which the customers must purchase a six-month subscription at $2.49 (roughly Rs. 170). On condition that BBMe consists of built-in enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption, which isn’t accessible in BBM shopper model, the subscription could also be price value for avid BBM customers.

“This choice [to release BBMe for individual users] was made out of BlackBerry’s respect for loyal BBM customers and was not a contractual obligation,” BlackBerry mentioned in an announcement.