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RIM Doesn't Want 200 Fart Apps 244

andylim writes "Just when you thought it was safe to dev a fart app for a BlackBerry, RIM's VP of platform product management, Alan Panezic, is making it clear that that's not want RIM is looking for. 'We don't need 200 fart apps in App World. Those are apps you'll use three or four times then never open again. You're not looking at ads, clicking on ads or buying premium upgrades, and the app isn't adding any value to your device.' Turns out RIM wants 'SuperApps', ones that keep you coming back for more because they add something to your life — be it ongoing entertainment value or doing something for you. Most importantly for developers, these are the apps that will garner the most revenue; whether it comes from premium upgrades, in-app advertising, or additional-cost content."
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RIM Doesn't Want 200 Fart Apps

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  • by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:11PM (#33739374)

    The last time I looked at it with any interest, Java was used to write apps for the Blackberry. The other day they opened it up to include HTML5 and JavaScript. That's not so great, it sounds like those (mostly lame) WebApps that are great for Sudoko but not 3D Gaming.

    On iOS most people compile C or Objective-C and have a kick-ass IDE to work with: Xcode.

    Sorry, RIM, I just can't see the appeal to write something in a dying language for a mouldering platform.
  • by Dutchmaan ( 442553 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:17PM (#33739464) Homepage
    I agree that tons of cheaply made useless apps only lessen the value of a platforms app market, but really what you end up with is Apple's subjective selection process. I guess ideally one could have a selective app section walled off for those who want a more professional user experience, outside of which would be your 'unapproved' fart apps etc. Of course they would have to add some value to the creators for placing them inside the wall, but thats up to RIM to decide what it would like to offer I guess.
  • by humphrm ( 18130 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:23PM (#33739542) Homepage

    'We don't need 200 fart apps in App World. Those are apps you'll use three or four times then never open again.

    Considering that only 20% of iPhone App installs [itworld.com] get used more than once, I'd say that the BlackBerry fart apps are doing pretty well, in comparison.

  • by CastrTroy ( 595695 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:31PM (#33739622)
    I really have to agree with this. My Dad got switched to an iPhone as a cost saving measure for this business use. Bottom line, He hates it. It's much easier to type out an email on the Blackberry, as well as do a lot of other work related functions. The battery on the iPhone doesn't even last a whole day. The Blackberry can last quite a bit longer. The iPhone is good for teenagers who want to have fun. The Blackberry is meant for people who have work to do, and want it done quickly, and well.
  • by Anonymusing ( 1450747 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:38PM (#33739690)

    For what it's worth... I use the iPhone for business. Battery lasts two days, easily. I also have some personal apps on it, but mainly I use it for work-related e-mail.

    I had a BBerry before that and hated it.

    But that's me. I'm glad there are choices.

  • by Yo Grark ( 465041 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @04:40PM (#33739710)

    I was recently on a business trip and had my blackberry at my hip.
    On a trip, I needed translator software, so went to RIM app world and found my options limited, i "trialed" their $30.00 french translator. (Let me say first I tried to use the web interface for google, but it took so long and so many clicks on the BB it was unusable consistently).

    Well it was useless. Didn't do phrases, no real options, only did 1 word at a time. WTF? $30.00?!?

    Luckily I had my ipad handy and saw what was available on the app store there. For 1.99 I got an offline app that KILLED the blackberry app in terms of features and usability.

    So, in real work business usage, I have to say, RIM, you've lost me personally, but do continue to make back bench, locked in deals with CEO's to get your phones locked into corporations while you can.

    Smart people use smartphones and want usability and fart apps for novelties to take their brains away from work once in awhile. .I will never go back to blackberry.

    Yo Grark

  • by dltaylor ( 7510 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @05:08PM (#33740102)

    Knowing that RIM wants to push me into ad-laden crapware saved me the time of going down to the 'phone store and even looking at their stuff.

  • by Minwee ( 522556 ) <dcr@neverwhen.org> on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @05:10PM (#33740126) Homepage

    So, in real work business usage, I have to say, RIM, you've lost me personally, but do continue to make back bench, locked in deals with CEO's to get your phones locked into corporations while you can.

    Um... Businesses don't prefer the Blackberry over the iPhone because RIM pays them to. They prefer it because the Blackberry comes with real security and centralized management solutions while the iPhone comes with... farting noises.

  • solution (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Joe U ( 443617 ) on Wednesday September 29, 2010 @05:17PM (#33740240) Homepage Journal

    Design your store like Slashdot, let the users moderate things down and then browse at -1 for fart apps.

    Why is this such an issue? Because Steve Jobs said it first?

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