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BlackBerry signs key deal to keep BBM surge going strong on Android

Published Nov 26th, 2013 3:00PM EST
BGR

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BlackBerry’s handset sales have remained an unmitigated disaster but its cross-platform BlackBerry Messenger service has proven to be a big hit for both iPhone and Android users. BlackBerry on Tuesday announced that it had signed a with several budget Android smartphone vendors to preload BBM on their upcoming devices. The Android vendors, which include Micromax, Brightstar and Zen, are mostly smaller vendors that sell devices to consumers in key emerging markets in Asia, South America and the Middle East. Janto Djojo, the chief marketing officer at Android vendor EVERCOSS, says that BBM “is incredibly popular in Indonesia and since its availability on Android, it’s become the must have messaging app for our customers,” so it looks like BlackBerry is doing a good job of covering its bases and getting BBM out to as many people as it can.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.