BBM On Android - The 1-Day Review

Alright, BBM is official and it's running on Android. It's not without tons of problems and hick-ups.  Basically, my marketing instinct considered BlackBerry is running a PR nightmare.

Here is my review for the 1-day experience with BBM.

Interface

It's cold and stiff. Even with the new design based on BB10 OS, BBM is too plain. Of course there are rooms for improvements:
- improve touch response
- inconsistent touch gesture access
- background customization
- less repetitive buttons
- larger emoticon (currently sooooo tiny)
- logical hidden menu
- cross apps sharing
- personalized status home page
- no tablet interface

The first thing I noticed was the hidden menu are repeating everywhere, such Invite button appears in 3 places despite 2 being hidden. So unnecessary, but it does hide the lack of additional features of BBM at first glance.

Fun factors when using the BBM is sorely missed. My wife is not tech savvy, but she immediately said she didn't like BBM within the first 2 minutes. Sure, BBM made Voice Note and Picture Sharing famous, but those are previous age features. Nowadays, messaging apps compete on video calls, video sharing, stickers, personalization, etc. The fun factors of messaging which make them "fun" to use.

And NO, BBM is designed for business is NOT a good reason for not including those features. It's like having a wedding cake without decorations, just the cake.

Network Communication

The legendary BlackBerry encryption and secure network is probably the only asset that BlackBerry has, which won't mean anything now with Samsung Knox and others producing similar security.  In fact, the communication slowed down by the process of cross network transfers.

A strange, if not a bug, anomaly is that BBM doesn't appear to have 'First In-First Out' traffic control over the messages typed in. Meaning if 1 message failed to be sent (maybe bad signal or interference), it will be sent later, much later than the next input you have typed in. This makes the conversation confusing to users and can cause misunderstandings. Business people won't like it. Even worse, those in romantic relationship will scream.

The Launch (Marketing Commentary)

Imagine you are launching a rocket to the moon, you will prepare everything and calculate every risk that can occur.  BlackBerry (previously RIM) should know that they don't have the infrastructure to contain to flood of users wanting to either use or try BBM, especially on Android environment.  Yet, the preparation was not well calculated. Disaster occured and they missed the launch event.

The second launch, they knew what to expect, again they failed to manage the risk. Instead of letting potential customers know ahead of tome there will be a line of waiting list for the pin registration, they just took it as it came to them. This mishap caused them loss of users. They should have more than 10 millions users within the first 10 hours if they managed it the right way from the beginning.  Blackberry is happy with nearly 5 millions users in 8 hours.  Even McDonald's gives us counters of how many burgers they served which is great PR for the Golden Arc brand.

Conclusion

BBM launch is a catastrophy and BBM is a major disappointment.  It's like witnessing an Ape Man walking in New York City.  BBM is still admiring the city, forgetting that they should have been the awe of competitors and users.

Will BBM survive the new messaging age?  If they are quick to improve BBM, maybe.  If their headstrong tradition dictates BBM is good enough, well, like I said before, we are witnessing history in the making. This is the 'do or die' time for BlackBerry.  Either we, the users, will attend a funeral soon or a celebration of success.

First Impression: BBM on Android - Official - Part 4

Finally, after false start, frozen server, damaged network, BlackBerry sold, re-announcement. It's here, BBM the official app for Android.

Here is the Playstore link: "BBM" - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bbm

It's free and still so many fake apps, so follow the link, you will be okay.

The Impression

Well, similar to the beta with minor revisions. Obviously, Smoother than the beta. However, with layer of network communication required for BBM to get connections, the app messaging is a tad slower.

The menu is simple. Swipe left to right for main messaging menu, right to left for specifically parts menu (like chat, groups, etc).







As for initial registration, for those who has registered, you can just login with your email and password.

For those who has not registered, follow the registration process.

If you want to change email registration, please delete the old one.

The process doesn't take long, compared to the previous version. Once you registered, you will receive your pin.



Use your pin to get added or add others with their pin. As for the precious and addictive groups, scan the group barcode to gain access to the group.

Turning on and off the annoying notification is also easy, by opening the group or person chat, Swipe the menu right to left or access it with the 3 dot menu button on left bottom corner. The toggle of notification can be found there.

Sending voice note and pictures are also smooth, without a hitch.

As mentioned, the only problem that I can notice, or you will soon notice, is the sending and receiving is not as fast as other messaging apps due to the multi-layers network connectivity: BBM App to Internet then to BBM network.

It's not an impressive app, but simple to run and you can get BBM connection.

It's a good beginning though, not major nor impressive, but BlackBerry has finally reopen the BBM to Android. That means BlackBerry, at least, did what they promised. So go ahead and use BBM, the original yet not the best.

First Impression: BBM On Android Part 3 - The Rollercoaster?

Is it on? Nope. In fact, BBM for Android and iOS got delayed again.

Some news has spread that it will be turned on again on 27th September, BlackBerry has denied the news and the stated it will not be this week.

Well, here is the rollercoaster ride. Today, both Mashable and The Guardian has released an article that BlackBerry has been sold to Fairfax Financial for US$ 4.7 billions. Fairfax Financial previously owned 10% of BlackBerry shares, now the sole owner. That means Blackberry stock was sold at $9. BlackBerry stock highest price was $128 in 2008.

So what's the deal? Looks like after losing eearly US$ 1 billion in 2nd quarter 2013 due to the failed Z10 and stumbling on the launch of BBM on Android and iOS, BlackBerry has lost more than just their pride. They have lost money, time and market confidence.

My opinion that Fairfax Financial will resell BlackBerry later on to gain higher price, meanwhile the money will be used to salvage whatever BlackBerry still has as their saving grace. Most likely to relaunch BBM on Android and iOS, and also paying the 4500 employees they said good bye to. If I work for BlackBerry, becoming the first 4500 now looks more promising than fighting with the sinking ship.

So my guess, we still need to wait the news of when BlackBerry is ready to launch BBM on Android. My guess is next month. Sorry guys, this rollersoacter is a bad news for now. At least, I was right, we are witnessing a milestone in history: the sinking of BlackBerry.

First Impression: BBM on Android Part 2

Okay, today is 21st September 2013. This is the day Blackberry promised BBM will be on Google Playstore. It is 22:15 and BBM is still not in the Playstore yet. Lucky me, a friend send me a link to download what seems to be a beta version of BBM for me to test. My apology to BlackBerry for testing it before it enters the market, but then agan it will help you marketing wise and who knows my input can provide some future enhancement for BBM.

The first time you open the BBM app, you will be ask to register yourself usng a valid email. Just follow the procedure and you will receive your BBM Pin. If you forgot to safe your in number, click your name on top to open this screen:



Click on Show Barcode to open this screen below and you have your pin there.



Note: All personal details of my friend and I are covered to protect our personal details.

Afterwards, you are ready to use BBM.

Warning: what I use is a working beta version, so the released version might be different, but the operation should not be too far from this beta version.

Now, my impression on BBM:

Initial Processes

The email registration to get the pin is a bit annoying, but all messaging apps are alike. It takes sometimes to finish the registration, so bare with it guys.

Screen Design

Simple, very BlackBerry 10 and easy to understand.







It is clear that the sense of menu organization style is totally different to most messaging app in Android. BlackBerry keeps everything as simple as possible, but they should think about not spreading the menu all over the place (hidden in right, left, and bottom panels). For Android users, too many hidden menu doesn't mean the app is cool but making it less accessible.

Also, the screen are only designed for smartphones, not tablet. I do hope the released version can compensate for tablet so user like won't have to turn the tablet back and forth. Please also note, some users are using smartpones that can be switched into tablets, like Asus Padfone.

Chat Screen




It's BBM. What can I say? Well, why is that emoji so tiny? Please remember that millions of BBM users are youngsters and elders and Android some smartphones' screens have higher resolution, some even reached over 1920x1080 pixels. BlackBerry needs compensate the possibility that the screen resolutions have different calculation of font sizes.

Other than that, the limited picture size is a breeze to download quickly. The message sending status is always the advantage over competitors.

Some Unstability

Maybe because I'm testing a beta version, but some unstability, if not weird functionality is happening. Mine is I cannot be invited, but I can invite others. Another friend can invite, but the acceptance didn't get through. Another cannot invite or get invited.

Background Operation

As usual, BBM is always running in the background so it will always be on. A small BBM icon will appear and stays there. In notification screen, it will state 'Connected' as its status. When you received a messege from your friend, it will appear as additional notification with your friend's name and profile pic appear to the left ofthe message.

Conclusion on Part 2

So far, BBM has created, accidentally or planned, a strong viral marketing in Android community, especially in Indonesia and India, a lot of peole cannot wait for BBM to arrive. Even BlackBerry's management down here has stated that their BBM will surpass WhatsApp or Line. That remains to be seen.

This first impression will continue on Part 3 when the released version finally downloadable in Playstore.

First Impression: BBM on Android (and iOS) Part 1

BlackBerry on Android, must be the 'If I can't beat them, join them' kinda strategy. It is, since 2 years ago, the rumors of BlackBerry Messenger coming to Android has been floating like wild fire. It's not that it is an important move for BlackBerry, but ever since they lost their market and the failure of the numorous BlackBerry units selling as before in the market has put the in the corner of being one of the most high profile surrender to your competitors move. It was not the first time BlackBerry has done this, in the early years BlackBerry has given Windows Mobile (the years of stylus popularity) in April 2007. Now, September 2013, BlackBerry gives Android and iOS access to their so-called secure messeging channel of BBM. A new piece of historical milestone in technology industry.

Viral Marketing strategy.

BlackBerry has released a viral marketing strategy by throwing out a working beta version of Android apk in the Internet several times to create a buzz on BBM release on Android since last year. Recently, they actualy release a working apk downloadable in the Internet for those who are interested to try. This time around, potential users must provide email address to access their server and somehow it went through. The strategy relies on selected social media using tech savvy users.

What does this mean?

It is no secret that BB10 OS is not a success, the investment going into revamping the already dying OS by copying populars schemes, background, slide gestures and menu access are nothing new to Android, iOS and Window Phone users. The usage of soft keyboard to boost BB10 OS has not helped much. BB later released the old and tired physical QWERTY keyboard they popularized.
And as the closing statement, Research In Motion, the mother company changed their name to BlackBerry, and recently release a statement that in November they will announce the name of the company that will 'buy' BlackBerry.
BlackBerry, the giant, has fallen to a fruit and a little robot that took over the world.

BBM on Android and iOS Feels and Look

Let's just say it won't change much, but the looks has been long copied and now copying the competitors to gain popularity, which is a major failure. I tested the so-called beta version without beng able to access the server. It's stuck on Setting Up BBM cycle since the server is not up and running yet. One thing for certain, it will require min of Android ICS (4.0) anf iOS 6 to run BBM.



First Part Closing

I can respect BlackBerry as company with a principle to provide continuous communication solution to their users commitment. Even if there is a possibility that their company and technology will be destroyed by the new owner, they released BBM to the masses for continuous service for at least another year or two. As announced, 21st September 2013, everyone using Android can download BBM from the Playstore, iOS iTunes later that week.

BlackBerry is a sore winner, but at least they are a sore loser.