RIM throws open doors to apps store

 

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By Stuart Turton and Reuters

Posted on 1 Apr 2009 at 08:58

RIM has launched its apps store for BlackBerry owners, following the hugely succesful Apple template.

RIM first announced its plan to enter the increasingly crowded market for mobile software last year, and will be followed by Microsoft which has so far signed up partners including Pandora, EA and Facebook.

The online store will initially offer 1,000 games, music and other applications for customers to download. The figure stands in stark contrast to the 25,000 apps being offered by Apple - which launched its rival apps store in July last year.

However, unlike Apple, which offers 70% of revenue from each piece of software to the developer, RIM plans to offer 80% as it attempts to lure developers to the platform.

The shop will be immediately available to BlackBerry owners in Britain, Canada, and the US.