Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) Squelches This Juicy BlackBerry Rumor

Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) made quite a few headlines last month when it made the bold announcement that it was going to offer its BlackBerry Messenger service on Android and iOS devices. Considering both of those platforms already have a laundry list of messaging and chat apps, for BlackBerry to boldly offer its own service outside of its own BlackBerry ecosystem is a significant step for a company that has been teetering on the edge of relevance for the last couple of years.

How Android and iOS users will respond to this remains to be seen, but it seems like a decent bet that Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) must be operating on a belief – or maybe an assumption? –  that there are some former BlackBerry users who have switched to Android or IOS but  still have always liked the Messenger service – BlackBerry devices.

Anyway, much of the talk was that BBM would make it to the two leading smartphone platforms sometime this summer, but even more recently there was buzz about a specific date – just inside the summer solstice – that the apps would be available. However, BlackBerry has stepped in quickly and squelched the rumor with an official statement.

This all started for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) earlier this week when T-Mobile U.K. sent out a tweet not only announcing that BlackBerry Messenger would be on Android and iOS devices starting June 27, but the tweet included a shot of BlackBerry Messenger being used on a Samsung Galaxy device. Well of course, the minute that get out, the tech blogs erupted.

Finally, Thursday, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) stepped in and countered the rumor with a statement. “While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share.”

CEO Thorsten Heins announced  BB Messenger for Android and iOS at BlackBerry Live last month and said that it would be available on iOS 6 devices and Android 4.0 or higher. When it first rolls out, he said, it will have messaging, chat and group features, then over time will roll out voice calls, screen shares and video calls.

What do you think? Did the statement by Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) put the rumor to rest in your mind? Are you  one who is anticipating the launch of BlackBerry Messenger on iOS and Android? Give us your comments below.

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