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After a short beta period, BlackBerry App World has been updated to version 3.1. The biggest feature is the ability to ask for and give apps as gifts, but there’s also an age rating system, so you can tell if apps are appropriate for general audiences, teens, mature folks, or adults only. Awhile back, RIM was talking about being able to gift airtime, which would have been a nice addition, but probably a fair bit more work to pull off. As far as the gifting goes, I’d love to see something that’s more of globally-accessible wishlist rather than something I’m pestering one particular BBM contact about, but with the framework in place, maybe that’s something we’ll see down the line.
These are some interesting features to include in App World, and though you won’t find them in all the competing app stores, there are still a few things missing in BlackBerry’s software portal. For one, there needs to be an affiliate program if RIM wants to see people really promote BlackBerry apps. Secondly, there needs to be a coupon code field so developers can dish out their apps to media for review, or have limited sales where they don’t knock the price down for everybody.
Still, App World’s desktop browser counterpart is solid, and there are plenty of billing options (including through carriers). If you haven’t already received an update notification, head on over to www.blackberry.com/appworld/download on your phone..
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.
