BlackBerry
App World the other app store with applications for BlackBerry
smartphones has gotten a makeover from RIM and is now available in Beta.
RIM claims it is more intuitive. BlackBerry App World now supports new payment options,
includes enhanced discovery and search features, and introduces a new
user identification system called BlackBerryID. Thy have also added QR barcode scanning, for quick access to apps in the App World.
BlackBerry App World adds new tabbed sections for various lists of
applications. Users can horizontally swipe or scroll to quickly view the
Top 25 Free Apps, Top 25 Paid Apps and Top 25 Themes, as well as lists
of Newest Apps and Recently Updated Apps.
BlackBerry App World will support new payment options in addition to
PayPal. Customers will be able to purchase applications using major
credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, in various countries around
the world. RIM is also working on integrated billing with various
carriers to enable BlackBerry App World purchases to be applied directly
to the customer’s monthly bill from those carriers.
QR barcode scanning is also supported, allowing users to scan a QR
code associated with an application from anywhere - the web, print ads,
brochures, etc. BlackBerry App World will quickly find the related
application and automatically open the application’s information and
download page.
BlackBerry ID provides customers with a device-independent user
identification (ID) used with BlackBerry App World. It enables new
payment options, including credit cards and integrated carrier
billing(, and allows customers to seamlessly transfer their personal
library of free and purchased apps when they switch to a new BlackBerry
smartphone.
The newest version of BlackBerry App World is available for beta
preview to customers in the United States and Canada from BlackBerry(R)
Beta Zone (www.blackberry.com/beta).
Availability of integrated billing with specific carriers to be
announced at later dates. Requires a carrier post-paid service plan.