Perhaps BlackBerry App World isn’t perfect just yet. The application store, which launched last week at CTIA, promises hundreds of applications which can be purchased using PayPal as a checkout system. This sounds fine and good — PayPal is a trusted system, and it handles most transactions pretty well. It is, after all, owned by and is the main payment system for eBay. Still, not all the functionality is compatible with BlackBerry App World yet. Specifically, subscription services are not yet available, though there is such a feature available via PayPal. 
On the last day of CTIA I talked to Steve Andler of Networks In Motion, a company which develops some of the most popular GPS software on the market. This includes Verizon’s VZNavigator. Much of our conversation revolved around their new direct-to-consumer product, Gokivo. Apparently, it should be available on the BlackBerry Bold through App World as a 30-day trial. After the trials expire, though, they have to hope a few things fall into place, because App World does not support their subscription pricing plan. After browsing through App World this morning — and yes, I have the latest update — I wasn’t able to locate Gokivo at all, which is a shame to begin with. Steve sounded genuinely excited about the new product, and to have it not available at the only current supported outlet — even their download page points you to App World — seems wrong. Yet even when they are available, they’ll only be able to give the application away for 30 days. We’ll keep you updated as to when RIM announces support for PayPal subscription services. In the meantime, I wonder how many developers this is holding back from introducing an app in the new store.
1 comment… read it below or add one
I was able to find Gokivo Navigator under Maps & Navigation. I found out they extended Gokivo Navigator’s trial until the end of JUNE! HOORAY! I think its one of the best Apps on App world.