BlackBerry App World launches

Robert Hallock 1 Apr, 2009 at 1:36am ET Article published in Tech

It’s a specious date, but the news is legit: Research In Motion launched the BlackBerry App World at 12:37 AM EST. I’ve already downloaded and installed it on my AT&T BlackBerry Bold, and I’m pleased to say that the experience has been quite nice. The application looks very polished, arriving complete with slickly-animated loading screens and a cushioned pan when navigating menus and icons

Applications have thus far averaged $3-$12 in price, while scads of apps are also free. If you’re running a BlackBerry with RIMOS 4.2 or higher, you’re in luck.

Better late than never, we guess, and you’ll be happy to know that BlackBerries everywhere now have access to flatulence with the $2.99 PhoneyFart from VirtualVies. Frp.

Thar be apps here!

The list of launch titles is surprisingly vast at 422. Check out these categories:

Entertainment: 12 apps
Games: 163 apps
Maps & Navigation: 9 apps
Music & Video: 10 apps
News & Weather: 18 apps
Personal Finance & Banking: 9 apps
Personal Health & Wellness: 10 apps
Productivity & Utilities: 90 apps
Professional & Business: 14 apps
Reference & eBooks: 22 apps
Social Networking & Sharing: 11 apps
Sports & Recreation: 36 apps
Travel: 18 apps

So far my favorite previously undiscovered application is CellSpin, which gives me access to Icrontic’s CMS straight from my BlackBerry. Has anyone else found an application that they didn’t know they couldn’t do without?

In b4 “iPhone did it.”

Comments

1 Apr 2009 ~ 8:38pm NiGHTS Would be nice if they had some type of notification for URL links, rather than actual applications.
2 Apr 2009 ~ 6:09pm PatrickMoorhead I successfully downloaded and installed on the Storm but have failed on the Bold. On the Bold, I have installed, uninstalled, reinstalled, and still no success. Access privileges are all set to "Allow" and still nothing.

I have been BlackBerry fanboy, but between the Storm and now this.... getting a bit frustrated.

With that said, RIM is onto something good and quite simply one place to easily compatible apps is now a must given the success Apple has had.

What I want first and foremost is a robust Twitter client then a robust Facebook client.
2 Apr 2009 ~ 6:14pm Thrax Interesting that you had some troubles with your Bold, Patrick. I have an idea, if you're willing:

The retail AT&T firmware for the BlackBerry 9000 is old and it stinks. There have been at least six or seven RIM-certified versions that other carriers around the world have adopted since the Bold's summer launch, and these versions aren't off limits to you. They're just not offered by AT&T, even though they run very well and are perfectly compatible.

I run the very newest firmware which is version 4.6.0.247, though the OEM AT&T firmware is just 4.6.0.167. If you're willing to update, it's possible and there are instructions over here.

I have been on x.247 since its release a few weeks back and, as a very avid crackberry users, I have encountered no problems and enjoyed speed and (minor) functionality enhancements. It's perfectly safe, and it may be what's making or breaking the App Store on my Bold vs. yours.
2 Apr 2009 ~ 6:22pm PatrickMoorhead

Thrax wrote:

Interesting that you had some troubles with your Bold, Patrick. I have an idea, if you're willing:

The retail AT&T firmware for the BlackBerry 9000 is old and it stinks. There have been at least six or seven RIM-certified versions that other carriers around the world have adopted since the Bold's summer launch, and these versions aren't off limits to you. They're just not offered by AT&T, even though they run very well and are perfectly compatible.

I run the very newest firmware which is version 4.6.0.247, though the OEM AT&T firmware is just 4.6.0.167. If you're willing to update, it's possible and there are instructions over here.

I have been on x.247 since its release a few weeks back and, as a very avid crackberry users, I have encountered no problems and enjoyed speed and (minor) functionality enhancements. It's perfectly safe, and it may be what's making or breaking the App Store on my Bold vs. yours.

Thanks for the link. I have "special" FW on the Storm, so maybe that's the trick. I have been reticent to upgrade the Bold because its my business workhorse. See here. A few Twitter users also said that they got the service to work with same FW I had on the Bold, but heck, I live on the edge so new FW it is.
2 Apr 2009 ~ 10:57pm QCH I added the Blackberry App on my Curve. No problems. I downloaded a few apps and so far I like the store.
3 Apr 2009 ~ 4:46am Shorty I am on the same firmware level for my 9000 Bold (which I have had since launch Thrax... muhahaha). Appstore works without issue. I actually really like it. Plenty of free apps and a few worth the money apps. Some are a bit useless for what you pay for them but none the less, it's a good start and is slick (especially for RIM).
3 Apr 2009 ~ 7:26am MiracleManS Added it to my Storm. Downloaded a few things, including the "where" application. Nice since I'm not familiar with where I work and its easy to find food.
3 Apr 2009 ~ 9:07am Thrax

Shorty wrote:

I am on the same firmware level for my 9000 Bold (which I have had since launch Thrax... muhahaha). Appstore works without issue. I actually really like it. Plenty of free apps and a few worth the money apps. Some are a bit useless for what you pay for them but none the less, it's a good start and is slick (especially for RIM).

Given that the x.247 firmware launched 3 weeks ago on an Australian carrier, I doubt it.
3 Apr 2009 ~ 10:06am Shorty I mean the device you nimrod. Remember how much you wanted the device. It's like old news to us Brits... having it for what 6-7 months now
3 Apr 2009 ~ 6:54pm PatrickMoorhead Found my problem on RIM's site. Now a documented problem with BES and App World. Problem documented here. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/Pat/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg[/IMG]
3 Apr 2009 ~ 6:59pm Thrax You know, that figures. Since you mentioned that it was your work device, I was thinking "I wonder if BES is screwing things up?" I mean, it often does for apps... Firewalls and proxying out the wazoo.

Glad you figured it out, sorry that there's no fix.
3 Apr 2009 ~ 7:02pm PatrickMoorhead

Thrax wrote:

You know, that figures. Since you mentioned that it was your work device, I was thinking "I wonder if BES is screwing things up?" I mean, it often does for apps... Firewalls and proxying out the wazoo.

Glad you figured it out, sorry that there's no fix.

I am not too sad because they will HAVE to fix it. Basically anyone in a medium to large size corp uses BES. I am having fun with it on my Storm for now. Take care!