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The latest BlackBerry Developer Newsletter has let slip a few more details about RIM’s upcoming Application Storefront, due to go live in March. A lot of it is simply going over the submission process that was kicked off a few days ago, but there are a few things that end-users have to look forward to. For one, the storefront will have its own downloading mechanism – no mussing around JAD or ALX files like you had to with over-the-air browser downloads or side-loading through Desktop Manager. This is a bit of a relief, because the first looks we had of the Application Storefront clunkily redirected to a mobile website.
Reviews will also be available to post and read in the storefront, so you’ll know what’s worth picking up, and, more importantly, what isn’t. As for geographic reach, RIM will only have English language support for UK, Canada and the U.S. at launch. Bummer for all of those international developers, but maybe that will give the initiative some time to squash the bugs that will inevitably arise. Finally, the Storefront will be supporting only OS 4.2.1 and up, meaning no trackwheel-bearing BlackBerrys will be able to partake. Too bad for those still clinging to their 8700s, but you know what they say: out with the old, in with the new.
[via CrackBerry]
About The Author
Simon Sage
Simon Sage’s education largely surrounded writing, technology and online community, leading him to begin his blogging career at www.BlackBerryCool.com and to quickly discover a vibrant and active community surrounding BlackBerry and mobile technology. In exploring RIM’s platform, he has learned what enterprises are looking for in mobility as well as what makes the innocuous BlackBerry so appealing to them. Recently Simon’s been covering RIM’s gradual move into an already-crowded consumer market, and the impact of burgeoning challengers, such as the iPhone, as well as long-time leaders, like Nokia, on BlackBerry’s advancement. With plenty of content under his belt, Simon will be branching off a bit to see what other smartphone manufacturers are working on while still using BlackBerry as a barometer. At IntoMobile, you can count on his posts being even-handed, well-informed and thought-out.
