For years BBM has been, unofficially, more than just an abbreviation for BlackBerry Messenger. It’s been a noun: “Hit me up on BBM.” It’s been a verb: “BBM me when you get here”. It’s even been the title of a song…
What BBM is today, however, is an official term in the Collins English Dictionary…
The inclusion of BBM in the Collins English dictionary recognizes its status as one of the world’s most popular mobile social networks. In recent years, the term ‘BBM’ has transcended its technological origins to become a brand that is part of the everyday language of millions of people all over the world… We’re honoured that a word used daily by millions of our customers has been officially welcomed into the English language. — T.A. McCann, VP of BBM and Social Communities at Research in Motion
Despite the problems Research in Motion is having, BBM is not one of them. BlackBerry Messenger is one of the most popular mobile IM clients in existence with over 56 million users, 70% of whom use it on a daily basis.
[Via Mobile Syrup]
I am about to switch from the BlackBerry Torch to the iPhone 5 and BBM is probably what I will miss most. I thought it would be the keyboard, but, I have a Torch and actually use the screen way more than the keyboard.
If you already know that you will miss BBM, why switch to the iPhone? BBM will be out on BlackBerry 10 devices when they launch early next year. You might want to think about holding off on the iPhone 5 and get a BlackBerry 10 device which can do everything that the iPhone 5 can do and more.
My contract is up, my Torch is all beat up, and, I actually use my iPod Touch more than I do my Torch. I really only use the Touch for BBM and the occasional phone call.
My college has campus wide Wi-Fi and since starting school in August, I use my iPod way more than my BlackBerry because of all the apps.
If this is the best you can do for BlackBerry news, RIM is doomed…
Not sure I follow your logic… #BBM was added to the dictionary, therefore, RIM is doomed?
Where Rob was polite, I am not going to be… This comment has got to be the dumbest thing I’ve heard all week. I know it is Monday, but, still…
RIM definitely has a tough time ahead. Doom, as you put, it is a potential outcome. To say, however, that because BBM is so popular that a dictionary added it as a new term is the reason that the company is doomed is just plain stupid…
Can you say BBM!
I mean really if all you have the BlackBerry phone for is BBM just do us a favor and leave. And at BBdefector im pretty sure no one has missed that defection…lol
I am just one of millions that have switched from the BlackBerry, and trust me, there will be millions more. I know that BlackBerry 10 is supposed to be great just like BlackBerry 7 was supposed to be and BlackBerry 6, and the BlackBerry Storm, etc., etc., etc., but, if not for BBM, what else is there? I will give you email just so we don’t have to argue about it, but, can you tell me one thing else that a BlackBerry does better than the iPhone, Android phones, or Windows Phone?