Verizon Brings V CAST Apps to BlackBerry Smartphones

Verizon Wireless' mobile applications storefront dubbed V CAST Apps is now available on select BlackBerry smartphones, the wireless carrier announced today. Through the V CAST Apps storefront, Big Red's customers are able to access and purchase a wide range of applications for their handsets, while benefiting from the comfort of direct billing, through which users have the software solutions invoiced on their monthly account billing statements.

“Consumers want to do more with their wireless phones, and V CAST Apps is another way Verizon Wireless is bringing the most desirable applications to the nation’s most reliable network,” said Ryan Hughes, vice president, business development and partner management for Verizon Wireless. “The rollout of V CAST Apps provides proof that the company is focused on delivering the most innovative services and applications that will entertain, educate and make their lives a little more fun.”

Currently, the V CAST Apps portal is available on handsets like BlackBerry Bold 9650, Storm2 9550, Curve 8530 and Tour 9630, and is set to soon become available for the owners of a Storm 9530 or a Curve 8330. The carrier is set to send out to all BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) customers on its network an icon that links to V CAST Apps, offering them with fast access to a wide array of applications, including productivity, navigation and education software solutions. BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) customers would have to contact their business specialists for info on V CAST Apps.

In addition to announcing the launch of V CAST Apps software portal for BlackBerry devices, Big Red announced the availability of a V CAST Apps BLOCK feature for those customers who do not want to access applications in the storefront. The V CAST Apps BLOCK feature is available via My Verizon or via My Business or Verizon Enterprise Center (VEC) accounts, depending on the type of contract one benefits from.

According to the carrier, its Verizon Developer Community is growing fast, with over 5,000 participants interested in the building of apps for its customers. “Verizon Wireless is working to make it fast and easy for developers to launch apps on V CAST Apps. In addition, apps may go from concept submission to the virtual shelves of V CAST Apps in as few as two weeks, giving developers the ability to quickly reach millions of Verizon Wireless customers,” the company announced.