New Delhi: In this article, we will discuss how BBM actually influence Apple in the messaging system, and after that, how Apple becomes pretty advanced in the messaging system after BBM. BlackBerry Messenger influenced Apple’s messaging system, iMessage, by pioneering the key features that became the standard for modern instant messaging. Back in 2011, when Apple unveiled iMessage, it adopted many of BBM’s successful elements to create a similar, platform-exclusive messaging ecosystem for its devices.
Apple copied the innovation of BBM’s over-the-top messaging service, which generally used data networks like 3G or Wi-Fi instead of the traditional SMS to send messages. This allowed for unlimited free texting as long as the user had a data plan. Apple copied this in their iMessage model, by sending messages between Apple devices over a data network, enabling users to bypass carrier text messaging fees, which at the time could be expensive. BBM was the first messaging application to popularise message status notifications with the Delivered, which is denoted by D, and Read, which is denoted by R. This made messaging more interactive and created the latest social dynamics around knowing when a message was seen. Apple builds its own version of receipts into iMessage. It also added a typing indicator, which was another feature seen in many instant messaging platforms like BBM.
Before all smartphones could handle SMS, BBM allowed users to send photos and other files, and it also had robust group chat features, whereas iMessage included similar capabilities from the start, allowing for group messages, the sharing of photos, videos, and contacts, and much more. BBM was exclusively available for the BlackBerry devices, a key selling point that created a powerful, closed-off network effect. People bought BlackBerry phones to stay in touch with others on BBM. At the same time, Apple mirrored this strategy by making iMessage a feature that is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. This created a similar network effect that incentivises users to stay on Apple devices to avoid the green bubble experience when messaging with non-Apple users. iMessage worked on all Apple devices, including iPads and Macs, enabling users to switch between their devices and pick up conversations where they left off. This was the powerful feature that BBM initially lacked.
Early BlackBerry devices were specially adopted by government agencies, including the military, for their secure network and push email. Modern military and government communication has transitioned to more advanced, purpose-built systems. BlackBerry smartphones gained early favour with governments and corporations due to their end-to-end encryption and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which provided a high level of security for the email. This is how the BBM influence Apple in the messaging system, or we can say how Apple adopted all of the features that BBM provided in the messaging market.
