BlackBerry World to offer music and video content as RIM makes moves to mirror Google

21 Jan 2013

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE

With just over a week until the launch of BlackBerry 10, RIM has restyled its BlackBerry app store (formerly BlackBerry App World) as BlackBerry World to aptly reflect the addition of video and music content.

The new BlackBerry World will not only give users access to BlackBerry apps, but will also stock downloadable video and music content, taking a cue from Google Play and iTunes.

Users can browse, download, buy and manage content from BlackBerry World using a BlackBerry smartphone or PlayBook tablet, or a computer.

The update has already begun rolling out and should be in place on the web worldwide within the next 24 hours or so and on smartphones and tablets over the coming weeks.

Taking a leaf out of Google’s playbook

On 30 January, RIM will launch BlackBerry 10 along with a number of new devices carrying the overhauled platform. Meanwhile, a series of more than 100 leaked images have been published on BGR that seems to be an extensive collection of screenshots from the final OS.

In an interview with CEO Thorsten Heins published today in German newspaper Die Welt, Heins revealed that RIM is considering licensing the new software to other companies if it proves to be successful – just like Google does with the Android operating system.

Heins also said the company could sell off its hardware division as part of a restructuring drive.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com