BlackBerry app store to rival iPhone's
updated 11:55 am EDT, Tue October 21, 2008
BlackBerry App Store
Research in Motion today confirmed the existence of its rumored BlackBerry Application Center, the company's attempt to parallel the iPhone's App Store. The portal will serve as a central hub for BlackBerry owners looking to download and manage apps instead of the web downloads and separate stores used before. Like Apple's offering, customers can buy directly from the software and apply upgrades; a new twist adds the ability to delete software without finding it in the regular BlackBerry OS layer.
The Canadian smartphone producer plans to outperform Apple by improving the financial appeal for both carriers and developers. Unlike with the iPhone, providers will have the ability to customize the App Center that faces the customer and tailor it to the particular network, including the ability to filter out undesirable apps or offer extra apps of its own. Software teams will also potentially generate more revenue: where iTunes developers receive a flat 70 percent of income from each paid app, RIM plans to increase that portion to 80 percent for BlackBerry software.
Contrary to expectations that the App Center would be available in time with the launch of the BlackBerry Storm, RIM only plans to start accepting app submissions in December and will formally roll out the App Center to BlackBerries in March of next year.
Introducing and spurring growth in the App Center is key to supporting a "groundswell" of interest in making home-friendly apps for BlackBerries, RIM president Mike Lazaridis claims.
The unveiling comes at a crucial point in sales for the smartphone line, which has come under increasing pressure from Apple in North America and is now believed to be suffering in the non-business space. Early NPD Group results have the iPhone overtaking the Curve in the summer, while a recent Pacific Crest analyst note has warned of poor Pearl Flip sales despite the phone's newness and relatively low price.
Immitation..
10/21, 12:22pm (1 reply) reply
...is the cheapest form of flattery. :)
JuanGuapo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
iPod Touch
10/21, 12:30pm reply
Many fail to recognize what is so apparent to the success of App Store.
2 words..
iPod Touch.
RIM as a "Phone" maker has no such device.
You see if any individual opts not to sign a 2 year gig they can still experience the App Store and all it has to offer with iPod Touch.
What device does RIM offer that does NOT include the cell phone components?
RIM as of this day is as my daughter puts it......is..... "SO YESTERDAY"
iJah420 says even luck wont keep RIM from becoming the next Wang.
iJah420
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Joined: Oct 2008
March of 2009???
10/21, 12:57pm reply
By then Apple's app store would probably have gone through another update to improve it even further. It's still amazing how these companies have been sitting on their haunches for YEARS and never bothered to come up with anything like this until after Apple does. We really should be thankful for Apple pushing the entire industry forward.
hexor
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Joined: Aug 2003
Gawd, But I DO Love . . .
10/21, 12:58pm reply
. . . VAPORWARE!
Don't you just adore the above mocked-up screenshot? "We don't actually HAVE anything up and running right now, so we'll show you what we INTEND to do sometime early next year!" Probably. Maybe.
That is, if Microsoft hasn't bought us by that time. That is, if credit loosens up enough that we can borrow the money to actually DO what we promise.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, RIM. Keep tryin'.
VinitaBoy
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Joined: Oct 2001
BEZ server
10/21, 01:11pm reply
as long as they hold onto the need for there own server software (Blackberry Enterprise Server) to make it worthwhile in a business environment with collaboration. They will continue to get beat down.
techguysteve
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Joined: Jun 2000
I'm curious...
10/21, 01:15pm reply
The Blackberry has been around for years. Why did they finally decide to make an "app store" now?
Could it be, the lack of innovation they actually possess? Is every technology company sitting around watching Apple for their ideas?
dwoodruff
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Joined: Jul 2006
How sad and pathethic
10/21, 01:33pm reply
Geez, doesn't that BlackBerry Storm look fat, thick, clunky and incredibly silly? And NOW they fake it like someday they will have an App Store. You have to feel some compassion for the BlackBerry loser. iPhone and iTouch users can bask in all the glory! WaaHOO!
OS2Guy
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Joined: Jun 2006
How sad and pathetic
10/21, 01:34pm reply
Geez, doesn't that BlackBerry Storm look fat, thick, clunky and incredibly silly? And NOW they fake it like someday they will have an App Store. You have to feel some compassion for the BlackBerry loser. iPhone and iTouch users can bask in all the glory! WaaHOO!
OS2Guy
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Joined: Jun 2006
Developers Help
10/21, 01:47pm reply
Can't wait to see the developers that show up for this making anything worthwhile. Where is the Blackberry Development Kit? Go Luck.
As I always say, "years later and not as good!"
digiprod
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Joined: Sep 2007
Awesome
10/21, 02:31pm (1 reply) reply
Competition is good, regardless of which side of the fence you are on. If this truly is a worthy rival of the iTunes app store, the people will speak. If not, the people will speak. This is Free Enterprise at its best and may the best store win.
Regardless of what the democrats try to tell you, this is the best way to do business. Just don't get in their way and we all benefit.
jameshays
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Joined: Mar 2003