14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion was quite busy lately with the roll-out of an upgrade for its servers so as to get ready for the launch of a new flavor of its BlackBerry App World, namely version 2.1.
App World 2.1 should bring forth some nice enhancements on the user side, through offering device owners the possibility to purchase apps that have digital goods and in-app purchasing.
Basically, this should end up in offering users access to a wide range of new software solutions, including Farmville style games.
At the same time, developers would enjoy expanded possibilities when it comes to monetizing their applications.
The announcement regarding RIM's servers upgrades was made via email, to all application developers registered to the App World, it seems. The announcement was made on Monday, BBLeaks notes:
We are happy to announce that we are starting to launch the first phase of BlackBerry App World version 2.1.
Over the weekend and today we are upgrading our backend systems as well as the BlackBerry App World Vendor portal. During this time the reporting system will be down. It will be back online tomorrow.
At the same time, RIM took its time to provide developers with the necessary details on the new changes, including the availability of in-app purchase capabilities.
Once the Server is launched you will be able to:
- Upload digital goods for BlackBerry Payment Service (in-app purchases) - Register and manage digital goods in the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal
Please note that this is simply the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal. End-users will not be able to download digital goods through BlackBerry Payment Service until the BlackBerry App World 2.1 client is launched in the future. Unfortunately, the company did not offer specific info on when would the mobile client become available for end-users. However, since the changes were already operated on the developer side, it should not be too long before the new client is released.