For years now, there has been plenty of discussion surrounding BBM on the desktop. We even asked not that long ago if it was time for it to make the jump and lo and behold, BlackBerry has been thinking the same thing.
What you see in the above image was a tech demo for BBM on the desktop at BlackBerry Jam Asia, essentially showing how your BlackBerry can be used to mirror the content on your BlackBerry to the desktop over USB and WiFi which also includes Windows integration, allowing for such things as using the file picker to send photos, files and more.
At this point, there is no planned launch or anything like that but Alec Saunders noted it's also working on Mac and they're 'thinking about other environments' as well but again, simply a tech demo for now.
Reader comments
BBM on the desktop gets a BlackBerry Jam Asia demo
Apparently is just a demo without intention to be released:
http://www.blackberryos.com/content/bbm-desktop-shown-off-blackberry-jam...
that would be so cool!! i've always wanted more BB computer integration!
Make BBM video an exclusive (for a short period) on iPad and android tablets, and its virtually game over for the competition.
Roll out Screen share as an upgrade for BBM iphone and android smartphone cross platform apps, and then add BBM video in at a later date.
cool, another idea to look forward too. That we wont see working for 3 years.
Fantastic news
Posted via CB10
Will they also blame a leaked version when their servers crash.
With all the recent product and service announcements of late why is BlackBerry selling itself?
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
This looks great! Can't wait to give it a go! Certainly a good feature if you sit at a PC for an extended period of time.
Interestingly, Bridge for the PlayBook basically uses a Web page hosted on the phone (as far as I can tell) so would be interesting if they went down this route instead. Would certainly make it a more cross platform option and would eliminate potentially tripling the work (Windows, Mac and Linux) .
Posted via SmackBerry 10
And just to add, I hope this also makes its way to Android and iOS
Posted via SmackBerry 10
Great work of the A players of BlackBerry ! Go BlackBerry Go !
Fire Thorsten Heins !!!
This just looks like a version of BlackBerry Bridge for the desktop. In other words, you need a phone running Bridge in order to display it on the PC. It is not a stand alone BBM app.
They need BBM in a browser first.
No connection to a phone needed. Then they can develop clients for Mac and PC and maybe linux eventually.
Oh, and Windows phone would be good too.
Posted via CB10
Yes it was called desktop bridge.
Wasn't there a playbook app that mirrors the whole bridge including bbm to the pc released about a year ago?
Well if this is typical Blackberry, the Tech Demo is awesome, the product will be delayed by 3 or 4 quarters (or years) and the execution will fail. Then, they'll put it on Hiatus while they work out the bugs, talk about how great it's going to be when it finally works, and then - just before release - list it as EOL software. At least that's what their past performance has led me to believe. At least they execute failure like a boss.
While I understand why people are saying that it should be a standalone app on the desktop to enable a native feel and not require the dongle-esque situation of using WiFi or USB connectivity, I think they're also looking at minimizing the PIN structure that BBM relies on. Think about it...
60 million current BB BBM users out of ~78 million total. Add to that the BBM iOS and Android PIN's that will be generated soon...add to that if they made a standalone app that required PINs for desktop instead of what they're currently talking about...
They can only generate so many PINs before they run out. I think that was another reason for utilizing Bridge BBM on the PlayBook, regardless of the PB having it's own PIN identity. Also keeps the information on the phone only so it can't be used after the connection is terminated.
They're essentially doing what they said - making it a one-device mobile computing standard where the phone is the hub that extends to any number of devices outward, but ultimately is controlled by the one device.
Presumably not that many people would only use BBM on the desktop. For them, you'd need to generate a PIN, but anyone who had the app on a BB, Android, or iOS device would most likely use the same pin on the desktop as they use on their device, since I doubt that person would want to manage all their contacts twice, etc.
This PIN thing is what holding BBM back from going truly cross-platform. The sooner they get rid of it, the better.
Posted via CB10
Not interested in BBM on my desktop or laptop. But to each their own. And great if they can get more people over to the BlackBerry brand every way possible.
Geezus another 15 months to wait? Gotta hope it doesn't leak out.
Where is the BBM cross platform client?
I like the screen disc in this arena :)
I HAD this.
This is one thing that I REALLY missed when going from OS7 to OS10. Soti Pocket Controller.
http://www.soti.net/products/pc-blackberry/
That was the app that I missed the very most when I moved to OS10.
Noted BBM for Desktop..now please don't sleep on it and let others take a leap..Need this and BBM for IOS and Android as of yesterday. These alone will give BlackBerry a massive push. Buck up guys!
Posted from my superhuman Q10
For people on Android, once BBM goes Cross-platform, they'll already have this option through an app that can mimic your phone to your desktop computer. I think it's called Bluestack. It's about time Blackberry steps it up.
This should help getting more people to switch over from WhatsApp. If BBM finally goes cross platform that is.
And thus the problem!! Thinking about it and maybe in the future!! This would be a true competitor to Skype. So why are they waiting!! They should be pushing full speed ahead on development!! Frick, management just doesn't seem to get it and is always playing catch up!! Still waiting for BBM on Android and iOS. Get it working and get it out!! The future will be cross platform!! It will bring the walled gate of Apple crashing down and assault Android as well!! If Twitter can have a 5 to 10 billion dollar capitalization and Skype sold to Microsoft for billions, BBM could be worth billions... it has to move beyond the BB ecosystem!! GO DO IT!!!!!!
Excellent but needed this 3 or 4 years ago. Also should have launched the Z30 and Q10 as their flagship phones initially.
Hindsight is great.. :-)
When the heck is BBM launching cross platform is what everyone wants to know? If yo ever wondered one of the reasons Blackberry is for sale this is one, the keyboard is another.
So... this sounds like the foundation for Bridge for Windows PCs? THIS IS EFFING EXCELLENT! I've been waiting for this ever since I discovered the BBOS app that basically allowed you to use your PC to access content directly on your BBOS device, just like Bridge. I already have a Windows tablet, so maybe if full Bridge functionality comes to Windows, problems will be solved.
I guess this is a big opportunity for BlackBerry...to miss yet another deadline...
Posted via CB10
Awwww yeaaaaaah RELEASE IT
Yay 1996 ICQ!
Sweet news...but I'm not expecting much considering the "demos" that haven't materialized. BTW, what happened to that sweet Twitter trends app that was demo'd awhile back? vaporware? I really wanted to download it.
Posted via CB10
Smart move
Posted via CB10 from my Z10 or PlayBook!
Down goes Skype
Down goes hangout
Down goes oovoo
Posted via CB10
Is this just another thing we will never see?
You can pry my BlackBerry from my cold, dead hands.
This is great news but we all know BlackBerry will delay this for the next possible 2yrs when no one remembers BBM no more
Posted via CB10
This looks awesome... they do have to update their device drivers for windows 8 though, I have yet to get my Z10 recognized properly on my home machine.. keep having to sync at work :P
I want this! really helpful for me and my wife we operating more than 6 BBM for our shop as customer line.
any release date yet>
This is the problem with BB.. all hype.. when they deliver.. its all pooof!! I know some will not agree but its nice to wait until all bugs are cleared and BANG!! deliver it with a surprise.
Stop demo-ing and release some products, teasing people and releasing stuff years later helps no one
Posted via CB10
Highway robbery: BBM alone worth $10-20 a share, and Fairfax buying the whole thing for $9. BBRY should restructure and get the stock to $50
Quit "thinking about other platforms" and DO something!
Posted via CB10
Does it make video and voice calls? I think we're all watching at a serious Skype competitor if it does :)
There is already a good substitute called "E-mail"
Woooww
Posted via CB10
This needs to be a stand alone product. What if people do not have bbm on their phone, but still want on the desktop?
We could replace Skype in the workplace as a collaborative tools IF my inside office employees who don't have phones can run bbm on the desktop and collaborate with my users on the field.
I don't want another "bridge"product like they did with the Playbook. I like the bridge, but it makes no sense for a desktop
Posted via CB10 from my Z10
It's about time BlackBerry looked at "other environments ". Linux has been Overlooked for far too long. It has huge world presence and use.
Posted via CB10
iPhone, Android, WP8, Tizen, Ubuntu, Firefox OS, PC , Mac, Tablets.... get them all!!!!!!!
BBM everywhere!!!!!!!
Posted via CB10
Kind of 'Bridge' functionality between desktop and device
Interesting...
Posted via CB10
BBM for BlackBerry, Android,Iphone, Ipad, IPod, tablets, PS3&4, Xbox 360 & One, Windows, Windows RT, Mac, PlayBook,and maybe Windows Phone that would be Awesome!!
Posted via Z35
^This!
Do a complete takeover of messaging!
Don't forget Nintendo products. And Sega Genesis.
Bring it on..
Posted via CB10
Are you using "Line" ?
Posted via CB10
Finally some good news!
Posted via CB10
I love it!!
Posted via CB10
They need an independent BBM app on Mac and pc, make BBM like AIM....video, voice & channels available on your pc, mac, or any smart phone
Posted via CB10
If they include voice calling and video calls.its the end of skype.go BlackBerry!
Posted via CB10
So why not for windows phone?
Via BlackBerry Z10, the white one.
It's another con!
"I had a session with Chris Smith, the Vice President of Application Platform at BlackBerry, and asked him about availability for BBM from the desktop like we saw in the morning keynote. In exact words “no plans” to which I said “so was it just a proof of concept?” and his words “not even a proof of concept”. Ultimately Chris wanted to make it clear that what we say today was just a demo of how capable the USB Host feature can be and for developers to take that and run with it." - See more at: http://notanalog.com/post/62306620465/bbm-on-your-desktop-is-coming#stha...
hmm strange how this sh*it can be called "desktop client"! desktop client should be native app
Want.
Why don't they just ship the stuff?
For all those asking WTF is mobile computing. There you go, that's the start of it.
Posted via CB10
There should be a Stand Alone for Mac and PC no phone needed from day one. Be a more useful without a phone to always mirror from.
I'll flip shit if there's no OSX version (that doesn't suck)
Cool. Accourding to my sources it was SOOO close to be demonstrated at BBW in Orlando, but was pulled in the last second as it was not ready.
Going to be interesting to see if WP8, OSX etc. will come too.
coming soon.....lmfao
Should have been launched same time as bbm 4 all.....
Posted via CB10
...or launch it when you give them the full featured BBM4ALL :)
#BBMforsome
Its awesome I wait.
Posted via CB10
Bring it on. BBM on desktop would be all good:-)
They must definitely release a version for the desktop. Get ahead of Viber and LINE.
Posted via CB10
Excellent :)
This is awesomeness! This means that BBM will eventually replace all IM services for me--both mobile and desktop. I can't wait. This is the definition of a truly cross-platform instant messaging service: several mobile and desktop operating systems covered. :-)
Bravo Zulu!!!! Just don't say "coming soon. "
Posted via the Super BlackBerry Z10
Wahey! About time! Now don't hang about - get it out there!
CB10 with Z10 10.2.0.1761 on DTAC
Awesome!!
Posted via CB10
Wake me up when it actually launches.
Posted via CB10
Wow no sense of urgency at BlackBerry.
Posted via CB10
Why not a stand alone BBM application for the desktop?
My BlackBerry has to be wired to my computer to be able to BBM? Not optimal. iMessage did it right.
Posted via CB10
It doesn't have to be wired. Apparently, it can work through Wi-Fi.
The WiFi connection is nice in that it is convenient, but it puts an unnecessary drain on the battery. It would be nice if BBM could borrow from iMessage as Knownastron suggested. It would be optimal for communication while at the office.
I think a standalone BBM app on the desktop is one of step but they definitely need to go beyond that.
With iMessage, it's is basic compared to BBM.
I do know how to spell damn but apparently my z10 loathes swearing.
Seriously- What the funding!
Posted via CB10
I spend about half my day in the office, in front of my computer. This would be awesome!
@dunaway - Posted with TMO Q10 via CB10
Good morning
IChooseBlackberry10
Yep, looking forward to this if the software works. No link repeat please.
About dam time. Hopefully it will be released within 60 months or less :-)
Posted via CB10
Hope they do it right, crappy desktop software and it would suck.
Posted via CB10
Maybe this will finally mean we can get the dock for the Z10 produced. That would make the whole connecting to the computer thing a lot easier.
Do you mean a dock with an HDMI port? There are plenty of docks for cheap on dx.com that work with the Z10 via micro-USB connection AND have a spare battery charging slot built-in to boot. Not with HDMI so you can connect to a large screen, but if you just want to connect to a PC, those docks exist.
I don't care anymore. BlackBerry has failed us all
Sent from The Legendary Zed10
Does anyone else notice that the interface in the photo looks extremely similar to the BBM in the latest BlackBerry Bridge version for BB10?
Posted via CB10
I am excited to see this finally come to fruition.
Posted via CB10
Finally some good news!
Q10-Z10-iP5
Wippy do, company is a hack, run the company into the ground and cook the books to get sp low enough to take it private and soon as it's private release all the good new
Posted via CB10
Do they dare give a release date?!
:-o
Posted via CB10
Therein lies the difference...
Fans: "When will it be released?"
Apple: "Next week."
Fans: "When will it be released?"
BlackBerry: "Haha"
I think you mean
Blackberry: "Coming Soon.............."
Awesome. Now release BBM for all.
Totally awesome!!! BBM going multi-platform for realz. Get it queued up on Windows Phone too, and we're good to go.
Posted via CB10
*just announced* windows to develop reverse bridge from PC to get BBM on wp8!
Yes, yes and yes. They should be attempting a full takeover of the messaging game.
The PC version should be able to run in a browser though, proprietary software will only cause headaches and usually lags behind it's mobileOS counterparts. Especially since they're the evangelist for HTML5, it should be a problem to have a full browser experience.
Corrected it for you :)
Especially since they're the evangelist for HTML5, it "shouldn't" be a problem to have a full browser experience.
Maybe I misunderstood this, but BBM on Windows requires a BB10 device?
I had really hoped for a native, standalone Windows application.
Maybe BlackBerry simply tries to do things in a "new way" to differentiate them from the competition.
BlackBerry has a dream of having BB10 devices the core, and other devices "thin clients" or "lightweight clients" and this is just one attempt to fullfill the dream. We can look at this as "Bridge 2.0" and we all saw how Bridge failed simply because having two devices involved may cause four times as many problems. Users just want to turn their device on and start use it.
One way of succeeding could be cost savings: Customers get BB10 at a reasonable price, and save money on lighter/thinner devices connecting to BB10.
How about extending the "Remote File Access" paradigm to be full two-way communications, INCLUDING Bridge.
If done right, it even replaces "Find My Phone" functionality: you can access your phone remotely and turn on the camera and so on. THIS is part of what "mobile computing" means, and as far as I can tell ONLY BlackBerry is working on this, and it's going to be ONLY on BB10 for the next few years, I wager.
Looks very interesting.
Had that on my 9900 almost. What was that software called? Not BBSAK, was it?
Posted via CB10
Would be great if the future of bbm included consoles like xbox, ps, wii, and steam.
Posted via CB10
Well, Alec did say that they're, "thinking about other environments' as well."
Posted via CB10 on my white Z10 & lovin' it!
More likely options for other environments would seem to be android/ios tablets, they are out of that game now so bridge onto tablets people actually use would be a logical move.
I would think BBM4ALL inherently extends to Android/iOS-based tablets (and iPods), maybe not right away but I'm sure the assumption/expectation is already there. BBM doesn't require cellular service, so hardware-wise there aren't any limitations between the phones and tablets/iPods, and even then they probably won't have to do much to get the program to recognize if the device has cellular capabilities or not and disable the feature.
I don't think Alec would take the time to vaguely say "other platforms" while discussing the desktop version and be referring to other iterations of the mobile version.
Posted via CB10 on my white Z10 & lovin' it!
Hmmmm I sense BBM video coming in the near future whenever this is launch if so goodbye Skype and OOVOO
Posted via CB10 with my Z10
That will be fantastic. Long live BB and BBM.
"At this point, there is no planned launch or anything like that" - so when are they releasing it?
That's what he means. We don't know
Then why show it if they have no date to release? Just to make us drool?
It is a developer conference, those things are about demoing new things that they can use in the future, this is not a formal release and that is why there is no date being given.
Awesome :) looks just like the new bridge BBM on the PlayBook
Posted via CB10
taken from desktop bridge..
yes! This was a great app for the playbook. I used it all the time.
Any predictions on when we may see it?
coming soon....c'mon man....that's THE standard answer around here
Stay tuned.. laser focused.. hyper connected.. mobile computing.. coming soon..
(Shit, that almost sounds like a commercial)
No planned launch or anything like that..... LOL and that just about describes Blackberry perfectly. Oh well, I'm sure it's coming soon - whatever the hell that means.
That would be really nice. And the fact that it mirrors with the same account and not double the account is a plus because conversation stays in sync. I wonder if they would make it work with BBM for iOS and Android so everyone can be satisfied. And with BBM audio and video calls coming for all (theorically), we can almost wonder if Skype could fall from its podium.
It is allowed to dream. :P
Posted via CB10
This will not work on Z10 due to hardware limitations. Trust me. x_x
It's like going to strip joint. There is no point because you can only look.
Posted via CB10
#BBM4ALL !
#BBM4AllBlackBerryUsersRightNow
Fixed
#BBMforsome
These are the sort of things I truly need. Something that truly increases my productivity.
Posted via CB10
F'in awesome! I've been wanting this for a while now!
Check out my AZ MTB Channel C0006F5EB
So if they release before November shares can go up and the buy can go down. May be the leak it and blame us when they won't deliver.
Posted from the best mobile device Z10 10.2.0.1443
BBM on Android, IOS, Desktop..
How about Microsoft phones? Or Nokia.. :P
Posted via CB10
They really should. Do a complete take over of the messaging game.
Lol I noticed that "minor" detail too. I'm sure they're just downplaying WP right now to suggest that they're somehow closer to the #3 spot than M$, I don't think it'll be too long between the initial cross-platform BBM launch (whenever that happens) and the launch for Windows Phone.
Posted via CB10 on my white Z10 & lovin' it!
Is this available on stl 1?
Posted via CB10
It never gets old
Posted via Zed 10 Oreo running 10.2.0.1725 with Camera Hybrid
Lol. Never
Coming soon right? Hope to have the z50 by then
Posted via CB10
No reason not to release this! And release it quick too!!
Posted via CB10
First thought is, will it blend?
Posted via CB10
Glad they have something as awesome to announce as this! Now bring on bbmx!
Posted via CB10
nice, I would love that!
When I plug my z10 into my pc it wants to launch BlackBerry Link. I have thought for a while it would be cool if Link included desktop sized version of the BlackBerry Hub including everything I have setup on my phone. Talk about productivity
Posted via CB10
Hmm when I plug my z10 into my computer it wants to start world war 3. I'm afraid it may actually trigger a nuclear assault on Apple. Keeps flashing a missile and shows it hitting and blowing up an apple. Don't know anything about link. But I like the way my Z10 thinks
Only a fool thinks they know me.
"I'm afraid it may actually trigger a nuclear assault on Apple."
As I read this I thought you were going to say "Global Thermal Nuclear War"
How about a friendly game of chess?
+1. I do really want this too. And Q should have it, too :)
You don't even need Link or some kind of proprietary software.
Just look at Apple's www.icloud.com - That is exactly what BlackBerry needs but with BBM intergration. There's no reason why they couldn't have something like that which is able to connect to the device and it's features without it being connected directly to the computer you're using. Gosh... I cringe at so much potential untapped...
I never physical connect my z10 to my pc. It just syncs via WIFI when my computer is on and my z10 is connected to the Internet.
Posted via CB10
What I'm referring to though goes beyond that. If BlackBerry were to implement what I'm talking about, your Z10 wouldn't even need to connect to the PC via WiFi. You could just do everything in the browser and it's all being pushed to the device and back to the browser in real time.
I think they just mirror it because of their emphasis on security. Going through the web and American Rootservers will bring the NSA into play. Just a guess.
Posted via CB10
^This (+1 for an iCloud like web-access feature)
I really don't care unless I can actually download the app that allows me to do it.
BlackBerry keeps showing stuff they can do but half the time it doesn't materialize. Remember all that stuff they showed on the Playbook like the file sharing thing, but that didn't show up? Or the promise for BB10 on PB? Or botched BBM for iOS and Android release.
Wake me up when this thing is real, gonna go play some games on my Z10 before heading to sleep.
OKTHXBAI!
Or like the ScrapBook app. I want it baked in 10.2.
Post via CB Z10
This has me thinking of BBM bridged to the PlayBook. And that never worked well for me personally. Along with the text bridge, it was too laggy to even use most times.
Posted via Microwave Oven
+1, right on. Tired soooooooooooo F-ing tired of demonstrations.
This is what i liked right here "essentially showing how your BlackBerry can be used to mirror the content on your BlackBerry to the desktop over USB and WiFi"
Those words, mirror the content on your blackberry. That sounds great!
Indeed, this is potentially much bigger than just BBM on the desktop, this could be the start of bridge to everything if done right.
but I don't understand... maybe it should be phrased "essentially showing how you can mirror the content on your BlackBerry to the desktop over USB and WiFi"
Now that's cool :)
I'm excited. That's something I have always wished for. Keep it coming. BlackBerry 4life
Via my Commodore Vic 20
Ah the memories of the Commodore VIC-20.
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
Happy news for once!
Night Radio Show Tune-In and Discussion: C0012487D Q&A with an Ex-Mormon/LDS: C00121BDD
Just wait for it. There's always something bad to follow
Posted from My all in one beauty Z10
Hear hear. Sigh I've been with this company since my college days and my have they grown worse. Sometimes I dream that BlackBerry just dies a quiet death so I can stop seeing the company I love and their phones being slowly torn bit by bit. Alas love is blind and so is justice.
Posted via CB10
That is very excellent.
Posted via CB10
Oh wow, that's huge.
I knew it my predictions hold true to this very day
This is an app that mirrors BBM on your device. Fixmo did this last year or the year before, and BlackBerry demoed this behind closed doors almost 4 years ago.
Samsung has complete smartphone mirroring on their computers already. But for BBM users this announcement is likely welcome news albeit late.
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
Only a gazillion years late, but sweet.
Posted via CB10
If it was running alongside BBM on the phone and didn't have to be on the same network, that would have been awesome. Sort of a login and also get your BBMs on the PC and when read, it syncs.
Posted via CB10
Agreed. I feel like the messaging app which will 'win' the race will be cross platform and sync on all devices; smartphones, tablets and desktops. No wifi, bluetooth, NFC or cable connection needed. Google Hangouts has the functionality as far as I know but isn't available for Windows Phone or BlackBerry. Hasn't really taken off either because nobody knows what the hell it is.
There have been IM clients that did this for years before the mobile-only ones showed up and those clearly haven't won the race, most of them have pretty much died off by now.
Have any of them really done it well? I remember google messenger did this back in the day but it didn't utilize push on the mobile end so it was a battery hog.
Except skype. I can have skype running on 3 PCs (windows, linux, mac) and 2 smartphones at the same time, and messages will get synced across all of them.
A lot of people think of skype as a video chat app and not a messenger. I didn't know that skype does all that b/c I don't know enough people who use it so I've never put it on my smartphones.
How do you do it? I have it on my home, office and phone, but the chats are only available on the device I did it, the others don't get it, that was a feature when it was Windows Live Messenger, but since it is Skype I can't do it anymore, is a way to do it?
Come on, I'm pretty sure that's not even a number!!??
Posted via CB10
Gazillion... hahaha
Posted via CB10
THIS IS HUGE!!!... and BlackBerry is "considering" it?!?!
Keep tanking that stock... Smdfh...
No... I think if it got a demo at the event, they're beyond the consideration stage.
"At this point, there is no planned launch or anything like that but Alec Saunders noted it's also working on Mac and they're 'thinking about other environments' as well."
I think you read the part about them "thinking about" other environments in addition to Windows and Mac. I'm assuming Linux, maybe gaming platforms like the Xbox One/PS4, etc.
Posted via CB10 on my white Z10 & lovin' it!
Bring to the gaming platform, make friends with Sony. Use BBM as number one form of communication
The Gamer's Network- C00015A3 || From my Z on .1047
No plans until Prem is in control. That way he gets all the benefits and long term investors (thank God not me) get screwed.