Verizon Opens New V CAST Mobile Apps Store to More Smartphones

Verizon Wireless is now extending V CAST Apps, a new mobile apps storefront introduced in March, to more models of RIM BlackBerry smartphones, although not to phones based on other platforms, such as Windows Mobileor the Android OS.

A replacement for Verizon's VZ AppZone, V CAST Apps is designed to deliver one-click access to hundreds of games, productivity tools, e-books, navigation, and other apps, with direct billing to users' Verizon accounts.

"VCAST Apps [is] focused on enabling users to easily get applications via browsing, sorting, etc. This will be a different and new experience compared with VZ AppZone," said Verizon's Michael Salmon, in a post to a Verizon developers forum.

Only available for BlackBerrys So Far
In early 2009, about a year before the announcement of Microsoft's upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform, developers on the Verizon forum were told that Verizon planned to roll out V CAST Apps to Windows phones in the future, too. So far, though, Verizon hasn't unveiled a V Cast Apps store for Windows.

However, Verizon does offer other V CAST services, such as music and video, for existing Windows Mobile 6.5 phones, as well as for newer Android OS phones such as the Samsung Captivate.

Now, as the new V Cast Apps storefront becomes available for more BlackBerry models enabled with BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS), Verizon is sending out icons to owners of those phones. The icon delivers a link to V CAST Apps.

V CAST Apps is already available on BlackBerry Bold 9650, Storm2 9550, Curve 8530 and Tour 9630. The new storefront will be coming over the next couple of weeks to the Storm 9530 and Curve 8330, Verizon said in a statement.

More Apps in Development
On an independent users forum earlier this year, some owners of the BlackBerry Storm 9550 complained that when they accessed the new store, they didn't come across any apps they want to buy.

"Installed it, went through every category of interest, bought nothing, deleting it," said one user. The Storm 9550 owners made these comments in March, though, just after the mobile apps store first opened.

Meanwhile, according to Verizon's statement this week, some 5,000 developers are now taking part in the Verizon Developer Community. "Verizon Wireless is working to make it fast and easy for developers to launch apps on V CAST Apps," officials contended.

"[Apps] may go from concept submission to the virtual shelves of V CAST Apps in as few as two weeks, giving the ability to quickly reach millions of Verizon Wireless customers."

Users can block access to V CAST Apps
Verizon also noted the availability of a V CAST Apps Block feature for users who don't want access to the new mobile store. Consumers can manage the Block feature through My Verizon. Businesses can do so through My Business or their Verizon Enterprise Center (VEC) accounts.

Mobile apps purchased in V CAST Apps are invoiced on users' monthly account billing statements.

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