BlackBerry this week announced it will make BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) available on Android-powered wearable devices, and unveiled an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Canadian smartphone maker said BBM for Google’s Android Wear platform will be available "in early 2015", and will enable users to receive, read, and respond to messages on their smartwatch. It requires the user to have BBM installed on an Android smartphone before it will begin working on their wearable device.
"The integration of BBM to support wearable technology is just one way we’re expanding the capabilities of our portfolio and delivering exciting options for customers to easily access BlackBerry’s cross-platform technologies," said Herman Li, SVP of BBM engineering and product management at BlackBerry.
According to Canalys, annual smartwatch shipment s are expected to grow to more than 28 million units by 2015, and reach more than 60 million by 2017.
BlackBerry also unveiled a cloud-based IoT platform that combines the capabilities of its QNX operating system for connected devices, its secure network infrastructure, and its device lifecycle management software.
"The BlackBerry IoT Platform blends the technologies that have enabled BlackBerry to become a leader in both the mobile data security and embedded systems industries," said Matt Hoffman, VP of strategy and marketing at BlackBerry Technology Solutions, in a separate statement on Wednesday.
BlackBerry said it will initially target the shipping and automotive markets, followed by the energy and healthcare sectors.
