Facebook angers Blackberry 10 OS Users

The anger of Blackberry users directed at Facebook was at a level I never quite expected.  Many also directed their anger at Blackberry until they understood who the real culprit in the situation was Facebook. The reviews of the "Facebook" app on Blackberry World tell the story.

The resulting backlash even saw the Blackberry CEO, John Chen, taking to Twitter, pleading his case for Blackberry and expressing solidarity with his BB10 users with the hashtag #ILoveBB10apps.

Why Facebook?
According to Blackberry, Facebook mandated the changes. “Facebook made the decision to discontinue support of their essential APIs for BlackBerry and WhatsApp announced they would end support for BlackBerry 10 and BBOS at the end of 2016", said Lou Gazzalo, Senior Marketing Manager, Developer Relations at BlackBerry, on their official Blog page.

Blackberry Central probably summed up the situation best with this statement, “the answer comes down to resources to support a minuscule section of their mobile API. Comparing BlackBerry to a larger segment of their users, such as Android, the company for whatever reasons chose to discontinue the support.”

WhatsApp too
While there has been not statement from Facebook on the matter, WhatsApp declared their position in February of this year.  WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, announced that it would be dropping support for Blackberry 10, Blackberry OS along with following mobile operating systems: Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1, Android 2.2 and Windows Phone 7.1.  WhatsApp bluntly told Blackberry 10 and others to get a newer IPhone, Android and Windows phone.

Blackberry declares, “We fought back to work with WhatsApp and Facebook to change their minds, but at this time, their decision stands (but let them know how you feel on social media, using the hashtag #ILoveBB10Apps).” How they fought back no one knows but at the end of the day BB10 and BBOS owners face a reality

As stated earlier what I am surprised at was the fierce loyalty of the Blackberry device owners. Some declared if they have to choose between Facebook, WhatsApp and their Blackberry device, the choice with be the Blackberry device.

Alternatives/Options

I will post a more extensive blog on this but for now, in summary, here are the alternatives.
  1. Use the Browser
  2. Other Apps (BB10 only)
  3. Sync Facebook Events with your BB10 Calendar

Blackberry, former RIM, lost their way and moved from being to dominant smartphone OS to less than 0.3% share in the market, according to the International Data Corporation(IDC). Despite this, the BB10 OS is a solid OS and there remain the very fierce loyal Blackberry followers. The Blackberry tweaked, Android powered Priv might very well be my next phone, when I can no longer use BB10 but until them #ILoveBB10 and ILoveBB10apps.

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Google Trends on "Facebook Blackberry", Facebook Whatsapp searches

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