The BlackBerry Messaging app will be coming to iOS and Android soon, and BlackBerryOS.com has a video to prove its existence.

The video posted online features the BBM app working on an Android device and it looks pretty much what you’ll find if you’re using a BlackBerry Z10.  It has tabs for the main menu, Chats, contacts, groups and settings.  You can even add contacts via NFC, which makes things easier.  The app allows you to send messages, emoticons, and even attach files such as photos and even a voice message, though some features, like sharing location isn’t available. Everything works smoothly and looks good – which means those using BlackBerry devices will no longer be shunned by iOS and Android users, since both OS’s can connect BBM users to Android and iOS devotees.

BlackBerry Messaging has been one of BlackBerry devices’ main selling points.  It used to offer an air of exclusivity, a way for BlackBerry users to conveniently connect with others. But with Apple and other OEMs producing better smartphones, coupled with the numerous chat apps that people can use for free, BBM rapidly lost its appeal.

The BBM app is not yet available for download on either iOS or Android, but at least it now has a landing page which means it will probably be here soon.  The downside is, until it gets released, BBM remains late in the chat apps game.  A lot of chat apps – like WeChat, Viber, Line and even Snapchat – have been widely accepted for various reasons, but in all cases because they’re connecting people in an interesting way.  What does BBM have to offer to mobile users that they haven’t seen before?

BlackBerry used to dominate the mobile market, especially the enterprise, but with Apple, Samsung and other OEMs offering better enterprise solutions, the Canadian company has taken a back seat.  It is now seen as doing worse than even Nokia.

Speaking of Nokia, its Devices and Services division will be acquired by Microsoft for $7.2 billion.  Right now, Nokia’s Windows Phone offerings are gaining traction in emerging markets such as Africa, Latin America and India.  With the acquisition, it will solidify Windows Phone’s position as the third most-used mobile platform, giving Microsoft the arsenal it needs to compete with the like of Apple, Google and Samsung whilst leaving BlackBerry behind in the dust.

BlackBerry has been down in the dumps for far too long, and there have even been talks of the company being sold or going private.  Microsoft was said to be among a number of interested buyers of BlackBerry – mainly due to its desire to boost its mobile efforts, but with that seemingly out of the equation following the Nokia buyout, who else is interested in purchasing BlackBerry?

BlackBerry would make a good acquisition for any OEM, as it has a decent enterprise offering plus the patents it owns would be a great addition to any company’s existing portfolio.

However, it’s going to be very hard for BlackBerry to become relevant again in the mobile market as the tech sector’s biggest giants have already taken over.  The best thing for BlackBerry now is to sell its business, probably in parts and not as a whole.