BlackBerry's App World comes of age online

Finally, a polished Web gateway to the BlackBerry App World.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

No matter how much you enjoy perusing BlackBerry apps with your device in-hand, it's a likely bet you'd rather browse on the big screen when you're sitting in front of your computer. RIM, following Apple's iTunes App Store model, has created an online "Web store" for its applications.

Launched on Tuesday, the online version of RIM's BlackBerry App World mirrors the software catalog found in the mobile app, plus a few extras.

There's a spotlight on featured items, a search bar, and the ability to browse by category. You see pricing information and minimum requirements, star ratings, and can access user comments. A large carousel shows screenshots of the app, and there's a list of hyperlinked icons that you can use to virally share information about the app with e-mail contacts or with your social networks.

You can now start the installation process from the computer.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

Most notable of all (and also reminiscent of the iPhone's App Store), you're able to kick-start the application download process from RIM's online App World. At least in theory. The reality is, unfortunately, a tad less sensible.

First, it's not as easy as hooking up your device to the computer--there's no payment process from the Web site, and no direct file transfer to the phone. Here, you'll e-mail yourself a link. Follow it from the BlackBerry, and it opens up the BlackBerry browser, where you'll click yet another link to download the record in the BlackBerry App World app. It's a clumsy process, and you'll only be able to take advantage of it if the BlackBerry browser is the set default. (Check this by choosing Options from the Browser menu-->Browser Configuration-->Browser Identification.)

Click the e-mailed URL to get to this intermediary download page.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

I'll admit, I was a bit underwhelmed by the BlackBerry App World when it first emerged on the scene. While this online storefront doesn't materially change things, the option to search online adds a layer of richness to the offering and to the experience. For those with high-speed Internet and low-speed data connections for the phone, finding and comparing apps online will speed up the process.

Although polished and easy to use, there's room to grow. It would be better if RIM's online storefront integrated your payment account and downloaded files to the phone--just like iTunes for the iPhone. The download process should also be streamlined. In addition to screenshots, BlackBerry's online app store could support publisher's videos, which would take users on a more accurate and in-depth tour of the app. Regardless, the Web catalog is a strong start, and a welcome addition to BlackBerry's universe.

The BlackBerry App World application runs on BlackBerry phones with version 4.2.1 of the operating system, or higher.