Sneak peek at RIM's BlackBerry Application Center

At this point, you're probably wondering what section of the Storm's UI you haven't seen. Enter a few new sneak peeks, this time showcasing the purported BlackBerry Application Center. Granted, these shots are from the Vodafone edition, but we don't suspect the Verizon version will look much different. Reportedly, the Application Center will be available on v4.7 Storm devices, and carriers themselves will be responsible for hosting the data and sending updates; additionally, the download / installation will be handled by the browser in the first release, meaning that the software cannot restart the app or download intelligently. Give the read link a look for a few more tidbits / pictures.

[skilletcooked @ Oct 6th 2008 7:54AM]

Are those the icons from Synaptic Package Manager or am I missing a joke? Che confused.

[MD @ Oct 6th 2008 7:57AM]

Its gotta be fake, that's Synaptic Default Icons, some fonts, same graphics everything

[Perspective @ Oct 6th 2008 8:07AM]

Touch screen? "App Center"? Accelerometer? Non-DRM iTunes sync? This device doesn't mimic the iPhone at all! Nevermind that it's the only RIM device that lacks a physical QWERTY keyboard, or that RIM "claims" it was in development before they saw the iPhone (even though it has yet to be announced), and Apple has pushed out to iPhone generations since its initial announcement. Hmmm. . .

[John @ Oct 6th 2008 8:38AM]

@perspective

Ford Model T- Four wheels, a steering wheel, brakes and windshield.
EVERY other car made since then, four wheels, a steering wheel, brakes and windshield.

My point here is Apple didn't invent any of this technology. They integrated it into a shiny package. Palm and WinMo phones had touchscreens and app stores way before Apple dreamed of making a phone. The iPhone is a slick device. Far from perfect but it is still neat nonetheless. It did not revolutionize the cell phone like Apple and the media like to give it credit for.

Not everyone has Apple iPhone envy, especially the manufacturers who own over 40% of the smart phone market. RIM would be stupid to not create a device that would keep their customers from jumping ship to the newest, shiniest new platform.

[Michael Scrip @ Oct 6th 2008 1:48PM]

Blackberry makes different models for different folks. The 8800 world phone, the Curve, the first Pearl in a skinny candybar style, the new Pearl as a flip phone, and the Storm with a touch screen aimed at multimedia users.

There's only 2 types of smartphones, QWERTY and touchscreen, and Blackberry makes both. And they make phones for every carrier.

[Steve @ Oct 6th 2008 9:06AM]

I hate it when I hear people say everybody is copying the iPhone just because a manufacture is trying to make a touch screen device. Nokia came out with a touch screen cell phone concept way before the iPhone was even thought of. So you could just say Apple copied Nokia's idea of a touch screen phone (which is dumb to say but you get the idea). Yes, Palm and WinMo devices had touch screen also way before Apple. RIM's Blackberry storm has a completely different OS than the iPhone, Syncs to exchange via BES ( A lot more reliable and managable I think), its touch keyboard is drastically different than the iPhone, and while some of the other features that may have appeared first on the iPhone and is now on devices like the storm, for example Visual Voice mail, they are not revolutionary because Apple didn't think of it first. Apple is actually getting sue'd because they copied the visual voice mail idea from another company, patent infridgement... Also an idea of an app center has been around long before OS X was even out. I think I have been buying ringtones, games, cell phone applications for god knows how long through verizon's app center which has been around longer than the iPhone, Hey you could say apple copied verizon by having a app center right? haha......stupid

[Danny @ Oct 6th 2008 9:19AM]

Has RIM always used those icon sets in the screenshot? they look like the one's for Gnome.

[Steve P @ Oct 6th 2008 9:13AM]

Ooh please can we have more comments from people getting really passionate and heated about the iphone and how much better it is than this (and vice versa). Those comments ROCK! They are so great to read and add so much to my life! More, more please!

[L @ Oct 6th 2008 10:10AM]

Ha yeah, please give us some more. The arguments get more exciting by the minute :D

Anyway, on topic: a carrier-controlled app store doesn't sound too hot to me. Rather pointless, really.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 6th 2008 9:17AM]

AppStore, Android Market, Application Center,....... Whats next....? Windows Mobile Store....? at Windows Mobile 7 !

[loosely_coupled @ Oct 6th 2008 6:20PM]

Actually, yes.. Its called windows "sky market" .. I kid you not..

[Alex @ Oct 6th 2008 11:00AM]

"But we don't suspect the Verizon version will look much different."

Clearly you don't know Verizon... The interface will be riddled with red and the Verizon logo any place they can fit it...

[Ghen @ Oct 6th 2008 2:11PM]

rank++

[T-elospathic @ Dec 13th 2008 5:41PM]

No truer words have ever been spoken.

[TIMMAH! @ Oct 6th 2008 11:36AM]

Now if you had DOOM! showing up on that menu you'd get everyone excited...

[Mikeweezer @ Oct 6th 2008 12:58PM]

So, instead of Apple tending the walled garden, RIM is putting control into the hands of carriers? Even worse...

I think you just sold me on that HTC Touch HD.

[dcoaster @ Oct 6th 2008 5:49PM]

The whole App Center interface looks outdated by 5 years. Try again.