Previously in Janelle’s post, she brought up several potential downsides of Blackberry launching its BBM application to the android and iOS market such as:
1. loss in points of difference –> people lose incentives to buy Blackberry devices
2. technical issues —> problems keeping up with efficiency and technology.
Full blogpost here: https://blogs.ubc.ca/janellesy/2013/10/21/bbm-no-longer-exclusive-to-blackberry/#more-134
However, I believe that Blackberry opening BBM to the other smart phone systems is one of the last few things they could do to decrease their financial loss. Having non-Blackberry users using BBM doesn’t remove Blackberry’s point of difference, since there are many other messaging application substitutes such as line or WhatsApp. People don’t buy Blackberrys because of the exclusive BBM but because of the phone specifications as well as the signature Blackberry keyboard. (perhaps a more accurate point of difference?) The launching of this BBM application increases the presence of Blackberry and may in fact attract customers.
Technical issues are unfortunate but faced by almost every single company. Every problem can serve as a guide for the future. They can learn from every problem and improve on a better future.
I believe launching BBM was a good decision by the company to attempt to resurrect its’ financial status.