January 20th, 2009
BlackBerry Application Storefront to challenge App Store
BlackBerry’s eagerly-anticipated Application Storefront is now accepting submissions from software developers looking to distribute their wares on its platform.
The storefront will be an ideal spot for developers to bring their applications—whether they are consumer-focused or targeted to business users1.
The footnote states that “Applications must be downloaded wirelessly to the user’s BlackBerry smartphone, and must be usable without requiring customization or integration services. Other restrictions may apply.”
Storefront, as it is being called, is the third real challenger to Apple’s App Store and will take a page out of its playbook, allowing only certified applications entry. Applications must adhere to the Application Storefront Vendor Guidelines in order to be considered for inclusion.
Google’s Android Market take a completely different and open source approach to software distribution, allowing entry to anyone with $25 and a Google checkout account. The Palm App Catalog will be distributed via its new webOS and details are still be fleshed out, the SDK is only in private pre-release at the moment. Stay tuned to the Palm Developer Center and Developer Blog for more details.
Competition will be good for the App Store and all iPhone owners should welcome the new competition from Google, Blackberry and Palm.
What do the newcomers bring to the table? Can anyone stop Apple’s first mover advantage? Chime in in the TalkBack.
Jason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.
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