BlackBerry to split off BBM as its own entity?
BBM to be turned into BlackBerry subsidiary
August 28, 2013 ? Mobile and Telecoms
Canadian mobile manufacturer BlackBerry has already revealed that their hugely-popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) will be making its way to Android and iOS device later this year, and while the company mulls over strategies, The Wall Street Journal reports that BBM could be turned into a subsidiary of BlackBerry.
Thorsten Heins, President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackBerry (image: ZD Net)
?BlackBerry Ltd. is considering spinning off its messaging service into a subsidiary that would operate with more independence, according to people familiar with the matter. The Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone maker is working to revive BlackBerry Messenger even as it pursues a strategic review that could result in a sale of the company,? The Wall Street Journal wrote.
According to sources, the new entity will simply be called BBM, Inc., and there could be a possibility that apart from launching on Android and iOS, the BBM service might be rolled out into a desktop application as well.
BlackBerry earlier this month announced that they formed a ?special committee? to investigate ?strategic alternatives? ? which could involve being bought out by a private company.
?As the Special Committee focuses on exploring alternatives, we will be continuing with our strategy of reducing cost, driving efficiency and accelerating the deployment of BES 10, as well as driving adoption of BlackBerry 10 smartphones, launching the multi-platform BBM social messaging service, and pursuing mobile computing opportunities by leveraging the secure and reliable BlackBerry Global Data Network,? Thorsten Heins, President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackBerry said in a statement.
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