Even if an unreleased version of the BlackBerry Messenger mobile social messaging service posted online had 1.1 million active users during the first 8 hours, BlackBerry placed on hold on Saturday the rollout of those apps for iPhone and Android.

The ailing Canadian tech firm did not explain the reason behind the holding off the roll out, but it said the unreleased version of the Android app will be disabled. Android users who want to know more about the official Android app for BBM must visit the BBM.com site to register for updates on when it would be available. They could also follow @BBM on Twitter.

But those who already downloaded the BBM for iPhone would enjoy the service.

BlackBerry decided in May 2013 to make available the free app, it most widely used app, to rival platforms to boost the popularity of the platform amid losing its market share to Apple and Android.

The delay could possibly be linked to the Ontario-based tech firm writing off over $900 million worth of unsold phones as it would probably report an almost $1-billion loss for the second quarter ended Aug 31.

Most of the unsold units are Z10 models that it unboxed in January 2013, causing BlackBerry's smartphone revenue to plummet to less than $800 million in the quarter compared to the $1.7 billion it earned a year ago.

BlackBerry also announced mass layoff of 40 per cent of its workforce due to the company's weak sales and financial position. To make matters worse for the Canadian firm, its suffered a 16 per cent reduction in its share prices after it announced the write off, with the stocks closing in Toronto at $9.08.

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