Research in Motion (RIM), maker of the BlackBerry, is set to launch its one-stop shop for add-on applications on Wednesday.
While third-party applications have long been available for BlackBerrys, the Waterloo, Ontario-based company is just now following in Apple's footstep by creating and operating a central store.
BlackBerry App World will be available for download from RIM's website starting at midday, with a thousand programs initially available at launch.
Unlike Apple's App Store, BlackBerry App World will share revenue with cell phone carriers and allow them to profile themselves by setting up their own stores-within-the-store.
Customers will also be able to charge application purchases to their cell phone bill.
Other major companies in the smartphone industry are doing the same.
Microsoft on Tuesday said that carrier stores and billing will be part of its Windows Marketplace for Mobile, an applications store that will launch toward the end of the year.
Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone maker, has several application stores but announced earlier this year that it would combine them into one.
Google runs an Android Marketplace for the T-Mobile G1, which will be joined by other phones running Google's Android software this year.
If anyone missed it, there was an update of the App Store. Just redownload it to overwrite your current version.
Updates include proper indication for apps and applicable devices. I had to request a refund for an app that I bought that was not compatible with my Storm!
I hear that won't need to happen any longer!
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