Former BlackBerry user, here. The only major advantage I see in using BBM is that it is cross-platform. BlackBerry enthusiasts will tell you it is also the most secure IM platform, but unless you are using BBM Protected, which requires your phone to either be paired with a BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) or that you pay an annual subscription for their cloud-based service, BBM is not as secure as iMessage, which uses end-to-end encryption.
BBM does also have nice collaboration features like groups, and also supports voice calls (video calls, too, between BB phones). It tried to venture into social media with Channels, but BB has completely ignored any development or improvements to that feature for over a year. It's a stagnant mess.
I'm also not a fan of the ads, but I understand that BB has to try to monetize the platform somehow. And I'm not willing to pay to turn them off.
I struggled mightily to get anyone to even try BBM. That requires downloading and installing the app, setting up yet another ID and password to keep track of, figuring out what your PIN is, and exchanging it with those with whom you want to be in contact.
The integration of iMessage and FaceTime with iOS makes it supremely easy to use. A large number of my contacts are using iPhones, so it's really a no-brainer.
For those not on iOS, I use BBM and Facebook Messenger. But iMessage and FaceTime are definitely my first choice now.
And no ads!
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