BlackBerry launches BBM channels flagship mobile social services

The BlackBerry says it will work with smartphone makers in emerging markets to preinstall BlackBerry operating systems on handsets it manufactures, while BBM channels will be integrated into BBM communications services.

BBM Channels is a Twitter-like service that will initially be targeted only at BlackBerry users, while the iphone and Android versions will be available in a few months. BlackBerry executives have previously said the service will be the key to BBM revenue generation. At present, BlackBerry provides users with free BBM communication services, and no advertising support. According to BlackBerry, the number of active subscribers to the Communications Service has exceeded 80 million.

The BlackBerry's goal is to make BBM channels a forum for companies and celebrities that can interact with customers and fans through this platform.

This October, BlackBerry launched the iphone and Android version of the BBM service. The idea has been under consideration in the BlackBerry company for years. The problem that executives once feared was that opening BBM to other mobile phone users would make consumers reluctant to buy a BlackBerry. But as the BlackBerry 10 smartphone sales underperformed, the BlackBerry said in September this year that it would focus on selling smartphones and services to companies, and eventually decided to start promoting BBM services. Some industry insiders believe that for the BlackBerry, this may be the last "lifeline".

BlackBerry also said that BBM applications will soon be pre-installed in a number of mobile phone manufacturers in developing countries to produce smartphones, such as India's Micromax Informatics and the Tecno group in Hong Kong, China and so on.