The App Store may get some competition... but not for a while. The Blackberry Application Center will be available for Blackberry Storm V4.7 OS, possibly in March 2009.
Blackberry's AC will be a way for Storm users to manage their apps more efficiently by having the option of just going to one place rather than navigating all over the web for different downloads.
At the site you will be able to get third party applications being hosted by mobile operators with just one click.
The Center will act as a middle man between the consumer and the multitude of downloadable software. Like Apple, app-users are given the ability to purchase directly from the developer and apply updates as needed using browser based installation.
All applications offered will also be subject to termination if the app isn't fitting into the Blackberry's guidelines.
The Blackberry Application Center sounds a lot like the App Store, so how are they planning on setting themselves apart?
Their plan is to make it more financially viable for consumers and manufacturers. Under Blackberry, software teams will potentially make up to 80 percent of the revenue generated for each paid app, where as Apple only offers a flat rate of 70 percent. Also providers are given the option to customize the App Center that the customer can see, which Apple doesn't allow.
The Blackberry Application Center will start accepting applications this December and most likely open in March 2009... The original plan was for the App Center to open along with the release of the Blackberry Storm, but it was delayed. Now the App Store has some time to prepare for the coming competition.
