The goal of the project is to develop a simple app for iPhone that recreates a RIM's Blackberry Messenger interface, and full access to BBM contacts and messaging capabilities.
As previously researched, in order to access RIM's infrastructure for BBM's PIN-Required messaging service, a physical BlackBerry mobile device is required. So, the application, in fact, requires at least three modules
1) The iOS client: which shows a BBM-like interface, and lets the user chat, manage contacts, manage lists, and most of what the native BBM app let a user do in an actual RIM-made device.
2) The Server Side, which ties both ends together, allowing messaging between the two parts in an XML-based language, enabling a web service to interface with future clients (Desktop App, Web App, Open Instant Messengers, Other Mobile Platforms)
3) The BlackBerry device software piece which lets the Server-Side software to access RIM Proprietary network and protocols, in order to transport the capabilities to the iOS device.
So, a final user would require, in order to operate the system.
1) Both BlackBerry “Helper” Module and iOS “operable” module.
2) A physical BlackBerry device –BES or BIS capable- and a Physical iOS compatible device.
3) Internet Access on both devices to access the Server Side portion of the system.
Previous Attempts
The closest attempt in performing the task was achieved by FIXMO WEB MESSENGER ([login to view URL]). The application is essentially the same that is described in the present document, but the client is a desktop web browser instead of a iOS mobile application. The client uses Macromedia Flash on the client side, so it's not directly usable in an iOS device.
To understand the scope of the Project, it may come handy to think the proposed application as a FIXMO WEB MESSENGER with some distinct capabilities:
1) The Access to the Messenger from the client side is not through a Web Browser, but from a iOS compatible mobile application instead.
2) As in FIXMO WEB MESSENGER, there must be a Server-Side app, which handles users and subscriptions.
3) The Server-Side component should be able to send push messages to the mobile client running iOS, in order to handle notifications for new messages.
Lately, RIM Released the SDK for BBM-Connected apps, which aims to provide a set of tools oriented to connect the BBM functionality with third party applications. For more information, please review:
[login to view URL]
For detailed specifications, please check the attached file. Enjoy!
BlackBerry, RIM, Research in Motion, BBM, BlackBerry Messenger, iOS, Apple, iPhone, iPad and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This document is not public and should not be distributed without written consent of the authors. The objectives on the present proposal are experimental, academic, and non-commercial.