By Chris Nuttall
Apple's rivals are making moves to match the runaway success of the iPhone platform with their own versions of its store for applications and games from outside developers.
Research in Motion announced at its first BlackBerry Developer Conference yesterday that it would launch an "application storefront" in March next year.
Developers creating software for smartphones are being invited to submit applications and content for inclusion from December.
Google is also revamping its Android Market and adding new applications this week to coincide with availability of the first phone built on the new operating system, the HTC G1. Both trail Apple's App Store, which launched on July 10 for the second-generation iPhone.
Steve Jobs, Apple chief executive, announced last month that more than 100m copies of applications and games had been downloaded in the first 60 days.
The increasing sophistication of smartphones and growth in size of the screen interfaces is turning them into PC-like platforms, where developers can boost revenues by producing mobile software applications.
Following the Apple example, handset makers are exploring how consumers can be drawn to phones by the number and variety of applications available.
Rim said yesterday that developers could set their own prices for applications but, at 20 per cent, it was taking a smaller cut than the 30 per cent Apple levied for approving and displaying App Store applications.
Rim added that it would provide carrier-customised on-device "application centres".
To calm the fears of business customers that employees might download undesirable applications, it said those who had deployed BlackBerry Enterprise Server software could retain control of which applications were downloaded.
"The new apple i phone had really set a new standard in the industry."
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