Research In Motion (RIM) continues to grow its app platform, and has reported that last weekend's "Last Chance Port-a-thon" saw over 19 000 applications submitted.
During the virtual Port-a-thon, RIM offered support and guidance to developers to help the process of porting their existing applications to the new platform. RIM also offered $100 for every approved app added during the event.
RIM has hosted a total of five Port-a-thons over the last few weeks, and says over 40 000 apps have been submitted so far.
On the back of the success of its Port-a-thons and other developer programmes, RIM announced it would extend the deadlines for its developer incentive programmes. Developers can still apply for Built for BlackBerry review and the $10 000 Developer Commitment offer (in the BlackBerry World Vendor Portal) by 8pm ET on 18 February.
Alec Saunders, VP of developer relations at RIM, says: "The response and interaction from developers has been nothing short of amazing." Referring to the number of apps received over the last weekend, Saunders adds: "This continues to show an overwhelming level of commitment from developers to the BlackBerry 10 platform."
Some have raised concerns over the influx of apps being submitted during the Port-a-thons, saying that having a large quantity of apps does not necessarily translate to having good quality apps - something that will be essential for the platform to strike the necessary chord with consumers. Saunders responded to such concerns via Twitter saying there is a strict vetting process in place to ensure the apps that are approved meet RIM's standards.
New BlackBerry World
This week, RIM also announced it is refreshing the BlackBerry App World and renaming it "BlackBerry World". The dropping of the "App" reflects RIM's intentions to broaden the scope of content in the storefront beyond apps and games, with the addition of music and video content (expected to become available next week with the BlackBerry 10 launch).
According to RIM, at launch, BlackBerry World will have over 20 million songs available for purchase and download. RIM executives have also said there will be over 70 000 applications available on the platform at launch, and it will offer 90% of the top 600 apps from other platforms.
The new BlackBerry World storefront has begun rolling out to existing BlackBerry device users, and offers new social features such as sharing discovered apps via BBM, Facebook and Twitter, and also allowing for sharing via near-field communication.
RIM says it wants BlackBerry World to be "the one-stop shop" for BlackBerry users' mobile entertainment needs. The new platform has a lot of ground to catch up on in the app space. Apple's App Store has reached the 40 billion app download mark, and hosts a total of 775 000 apps. The last official figures from Google stated the Google Play store had over 700 000 apps (in October), but current estimates place that figure at 800 000.
BlackBerry 10 will be officially unveiled on 30 January at events hosted around the world - including Johannesburg. RIM has indicated SA is a priority one market for the company, and will therefore be among the first to receive the BlackBerry 10 handsets.
Share