BlackBerry App World Now Available

Following a trend in the industry, Research in Motion is the latest to launch an on-device software store. This allows many BlackBerry users to shop for software directly on their device.

It follows in the wake of the wild success of Apple's iPhone App Store, and RIM is one of several companies are coming out with on-device software stores, including Microsoft, Google, and Nokia.

At launch, BlackBerry App World offers a collection of roughly 1,000 personal and business applications. 

It is available now to users in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada -- with more country launches to follow -- and requires a devices with a trackball or touch-screen running BlackBerry OS 4.2 or higher.

The on-device store can be downloaded by visiting www.blackberry.com/appworld on the handset.

All software purchases are made through PayPal, an online service that allows users to buy items with a credit card or by drawing funds directly out of a bank account.

Source: RIM