CORP TALK: Research in Motion (RIM) has just released BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphone users, in Singapore and Indonesia, after first launching it in April.

Of course, App World works across most BlackBerry smartphones. They have to operate on a GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA network and include a trackball, touch-sensitive trackpad, or touchscreen running BlackBerry OS 4.2 or higher.

Users can access App World here or mobile.blackberry.com via their handsets.

Indonesia specific apps at launch include Taxi Indonesia Dialer, Makan and Caripromo while Singapore specific apps include iCab SG (easy taxi-request service).

Foyage (travel guide assistant), Spionard (remote surveillance alarm) and Pintas (Internet search optimizer) are also available for users in both Indonesia and Singapore. Most of these apps are free, while some are free for a limited period of time.

Here’s a promo video on the App World service:

Paolo Manzano, Managing Editor, HWM Philippines

Paolo (HWM Philippines): Indonesia must have quite a community of BlackBerry users for them to launch alongside Singapore.

However, I do hope that they can improve on the selection and number of applications made available to end users, though I am aware that those named are but a sample of what is currently available.

However, I am also aware of the support that both Microsoft and Apple enjoy in terms of development and sheer number of available apps.

Perhaps some sort of developer program or developer incentive on a country or region level would prove to be the boost that developers need to start generating even more useful applications and content for BlackBerry users.

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Unlike Apple's App Store, US$2.99 is the min. price per app on BlackBerry's App World. However, developers get a higher rev share on apps sold but pay more on annual subscription.

CORP TALK: BlackBerry smart phone users now have an app store to call their own as Waterloo, Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM) has just launched its much-awaited online store today. The App World store will include programs from popular networks like The New York Times, Facebook, MySpace, Bloomberg and so on. Unlike the iPhone with its popular 99 cents apps, the minimum price for App World is US$2.99 per app.

According to an InformationWeek.com report, developers will get to retain 80% of the revenue from any sold app, 10% more than what they would get from Apple’s App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch. However, they also have to pay US$200 a year to put up to 10 apps in the store, which is slightly more than what they would pay for Apple or Microsoft (its Marketplace for Mobile, slated for a year-end launch).

Of course, 3rd-party programs have long been available for BlackBerrys from various sources but with the launch of its App World, RIM is now officially following in the footsteps of Apple with its centralized store. It’s definitely going to be a trend as we see Microsoft (ie. Marketplace for Mobile), Nokia (who owns Symbian) and Google (for its Android platform) doing the same for their smart phone platforms. (more…)