RIM had announced about a year ago that the BlackBerry App World would allow for in-app purchases, and it looks like they’re going to be implementing the changes necessary for the feature to go live soon. This letter went out to app developers informing them about server upgrades, though RIM notes that a client-side app won’t be available just yet.
“We are happy to announce that we are starting to launch the first phase of BlackBerry App World version 2.1.
Over the weekend and today we are upgrading our backend systems as well as the BlackBerry App World Vendor portal. During this time the reporting system will be down. It will be back online tomorrow.
Once the Server is launched you will be able to:
- Upload digital goods for BlackBerry Payment Service (in-app purchases)
- Register and manage digital goods in the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal
Please note that this is simply the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal. End-users will not be able to download digital goods through BlackBerry Payment Service until the BlackBerry App World 2.1 client is launched in the future. We will announce more information regarding the client launch in the future.
Thank you for building for BlackBerry,
BlackBerry App World Team”
The last upgrade to App World came with credit card payments, carrier billing, a UI update, QR barcode scanning, and a new ID system. In-app purchases are still a bit of a catch-up to Apple, but combined with the fact that Android still doesn’t have ’em, and RIM has a considerably more robust web-based portal than both of them, I’d say the app-buying experience on BlackBerry is just a bit better than the others, even though the selection isn’t quite as good. Aside from in-app purchases, I wonder if App World 2.1 will have some other unannounced features… Anything you guys are looking for?
[via BerryReview]