BBM app for Android and iPhone released in 'days'

BBM for Android and iOS could be with us in days, as the struggling company admits to the world it faces "challenging times."

Yeah, we won't hold our breath. The Blackberry Messenger app was scheduled for a release date weeks ago for iOS and Android, but the deadline came and went before BlackBerry finally admitted it wasn't ready to release the app, blaming imposter apps on the Google Play -- despite coughing up the iOS app onto the Apple App Store in a couple of lucky countries.

But now BlackBerry marketing boss Frank Boulben told Reuters he expects the app to surface for iOS and Android "within days." We'll believe it when we see it, Frankie.

In an unusual move, the struggling company behind the new Z30, Z10, Q5, and Q10 has published an open letter in various newspapers such as Canada's Globe and Mail today, assuring customers they "can continue to count on BlackBerry."

The open letter highlights what the Canadian company believe is its strengths: security for governments and businesses; device management in the changing bring your own device (BYOD) era; BBM; and BlackBerry 10 phones, which "offer the best mobile typing experience -- no ifs, ands or buts about it."

But as the letter acknowledges, BlackBerry resolves not to "underestimate the situation or ignore the challenges" of these "difficult changes."

Yep, so as industry expert Francisco Jeronimo points out, the company has just informed everyone who's been happily using their BlackBerry without a care in the world that it's in trouble. "WOW," says Francisco, with the hashtag #Ikeepshootingmyselfinthefoot.

Is BlackBerry waving or drowning? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or write us an open letter on our Facebook page.