Walt Mossberg comments on new Blackberry App Store

When it comes time for those of us without a Blackberry to learn if Blackberry App World poses a threat to the iTunes App Store, to whom do we turn? Walt Mossberg, of course. This isn’t a full review from Walt, but he felt he spent enough time shopping with the device to comment on it, and basically believes that, “RIM’s store is clumsier to use than Apple’s, but it works.”

From the article:

…There’s no dedicated Twitter client, at least none that either I or a RIM spokeswoman could find at this writing. There’s a Facebook app, but it’s the same rudimentary one RIM has offered for a long time. There’s no Google app, just a shortcut to a Google page in the BlackBerry’s browser. And there’s no app for shopping at Amazon or viewing Kindle books. No doubt these things will show up eventually, but, given the competition, and the time RIM has spent getting this ready, I was surprised they weren’t there at launch.

This is notable because the iPhone App Store was flooded with programs upon launch. As with App World, some big name titles were missing, but it probably didn’t seem as important because there was no basis of comparison. RIM has stated that it expects around a thousand apps to be available within the first week.

Also from Walt’s article:

…BlackBerry fans unfamiliar with the iPhone won’t care about some of these comparisons, of course. They will, and should, just be happy that their phones are now much richer and more versatile devices. And, in the end, that’s what counts. RIM is now truly in the platform game, which will make its products more attractive and could make its shareholders richer.

So, whether Blackberry App World is able to catch the iTunes App Store in terms of usability and volume remains to be seen. Regardless, the argument that the apps available for the iPhone make the device a totally unique experience has just grown a little bit weaker.

Visit All Thing Digital to read Walt’s full article.