BlackBerry App World gets in-app payments

RIM beating Android to the punch - but trailing Apple...

BlackBerry-maker RIM has brought in-app payments to its BlackBerry App World app store.

Apple's iOS platform has been offering developers the ability to include in-app payments since 2009, but while RIM is still playing catch-up with Cupertino, it has beaten Google's Android to the punch - which has yet to add the functionality to its platform.

RIM has added in-app payments to its BlackBerry App World store
Image: App World/silicon.com

BlackBerry App World 2.1, which rolled out yesterday, gives developers the ability to add in-app payments to new or existing apps. Using the new functionality, developers will be able to offer digital or virtual goods as paid extras within their apps, or additional content such as extra game levels, which can be unlocked by making a payment.

In-app payments are made via the BlackBerry Payment Service - with BlackBerry users paying for wares either by credit card, PayPal or operator billing, said RIM.

BlackBerry App World now has more than 16,000 apps, according to the company.