RIM Opens Software Store
Research In Motion Ltd. opened its online store for BlackBerry applications as it looks to tap a market for software made popular by Apple Inc. and the iPhone.
RIM is getting into an area increasingly crowded with high-profile companies, including Microsoft Corp. and Nokia Corp. It is part of a larger push by the Canadian company to appeal to more consumers.
'It's a one-stop device shop,' Co-Chief Executive Mike Lazaridis said in an address at the CTIA Wireless trade show Wednesday.
RIM said it expects about 1,000 applications to be posted by partners this week. Apple's store offers more than 15,000 application; many are free or cost just a few dollars.
'Everyone is racing to catch up with Apple,' said Maribel Lopez, chief executive of telecom research firm Lopez Research. But 'having an app store isn't a guarantee of millions of downloads.'
Among the applications available in RIM's store are social-networking services, such as Facebook, and music service Shazam.
Blackberry users can download the storefront from RIM's Web site. In order to buy applications, users need to set up an account with PayPal.
Co-Chief Executive Jim Balsillie said RIM is working with wireless carriers to make it possible for users to pay for the applications through their monthly cellphone bills. |
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