Approximately one third of the apps in the BlackBerry app store, BlackBerry World, are made by the same developer, reports BerryReview.
The 47 000 apps created by developer S4BB are reportedly of low quality, with the exception of the first 20 to 30 apps that display in the store. The rest, according to BerryReview, are stretching the definition of what an app is, by labelling content such as audiobooks or city guides as applications. Further weak offerings include RSS feeds wrapped in application packaging and countless near-duplicate lock apps, publicly available city guides and phrase books, reports the Telegraph.
Although other app stores are also bloated by spam content, the fact that BlackBerry's numbers have been so inflated by a single developer is a hindrance in the competitive smartphone space, reports claim. According to Time Techland, both Android and iOS boast more than 800 000 third-party apps, while BlackBerry claims just 120 000.
The fact that a third of these apps are "pointless" and "value-free" is a blow to BlackBerry's already faltering competitiveness, according to Ars Technica. This comes at a time when the company is considering putting itself up for sale.
According to BerryReview, all the apps seem to be legitimate - that is, not malware or otherwise threatening to security - meaning BlackBerry is on the back foot when it comes to removing them from the app store. However, the company has said in a public statement that it allows market forces to dictate the content of its app store.
"Developers in all app stores employ a number of different monetisation tactics," said BlackBerry spokesman Adam Emery, commenting on the app store being flooded by S4BB apps. "BlackBerry World is an open market for developers and we let market forces dictate the success or failure of these tactics."
However, Emery has acknowledged that overcrowding in the app store is a problem and may affect more legitimate or moderate developers. "Discoverability in overcrowded stores continues to be an issue affecting all developers. This is why we have worked hand in hand with developers on the Built for BlackBerry program to help showcase apps and games that exemplify the power of BlackBerry 10."
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