Ever since BlackBerry brought BBM to iOS and Android Users, they have been looking at ways of making money from their messaging app. With features like the BBM Shop and Stickers for the kids coming, not to mention advertising in the BBM app, it is clear BlackBerry want to make money from BBM.
BlackBerry are sending out a BBM user survey seeking feedback on how existing BBM users use the app. It’s a typical user survey asking questions like “What kind of device do you use for BBM? How often do you use it? How many contacts do you have? Do you use BBM for work, personal or both?”
Interestingly, the survey then delves in to the subject of custom BBM pins.
BlackBerry embeds a unique BBM PIN to every BlackBerry device and it has always been an eight digit hexadecimal number. Due to the fact that iOS and Android devices do not have this embedded pin, for cross-platform BBM they introduced virtual pins for each device. Now it looks like they will be taking Virtual pins to the next level with custom BBM Pins.
If you were able to personalize your BBM PIN (e.g., 11112222, COOLDUDE, BB3RRY10), how interested would you be in customizing it?â€Â
If the survey examples above are anything to go by, then custom BBM pins will still need to be eight characters in length, or a maximum of eight.
I can see the advantage of having a custom pin, as it would make it easier to remember others pins, search for pins, etc. That is of course, if people select custom PINs that are relevant. The irony is that one of the biggest criticisms of BBM by iOS and Android users is its reliance on having to use a pin system.
In the survey, BlackBerry is testing the waters and trying to judge what people think is a reasonable price, if any.
BlackBerry is considering a one time fee or a recurring subscription for your own  custom BBM pin. Interestingly, they provide no price ranges to choose from and have left it to the user to provide their price option.
There is no mention of whether these custom BBM Pins will be available in eBBM for Enterprise customers.
The monetization options for BlackBerry are interesting here. While they could implement basic custom PINs for a token amount, they could also have the option of offering premium custom BBM Pins at a higher cost. The question is, will users pay for their own unique custom BBM Pins?[signoff predefined=”Enjoy this?” icon=”icon-users”][/signoff]
