Last week, Research In Motion released an update to its BlackBerry App World mobile software store, v1.1. With the new App World release, RIM announced a variety of details about the app store's new features and enhancements. But one valuable tidbit seems to have been overlooked: BlackBerry App World v1.1 sends users notifications via BlackBerry message, App World itself and a home screen icon whenever updated version of applications obtained through App World become available.
I recently blasted RIM and App World in a post on CIO.com entitled "BlackBerry App World: Nine Must-Do Fixes for RIM's App Store." And though I didn't necessarily call for a feature like the new app updates, it's probably the most exciting enhancement with App World 1.1.
RIM's own blog, Inside BlackBerry, posted on the App World update last week, highlighting the new ability to archive applications to users' memory cards, but neither it, nor any of the other blogs I read on the subject, mentioned the new app update notifications.
BlackBerry App World v1.1.0.11 distributes app update notifications in four ways: messages in your BlackBerry Messages app; a home screen notification icon; an asterisk over users' BlackBerry App World icon; and an asterisk within App World's MyWorld section over the specific app for which an update is available.
Honestly, this is the best reason yet I've seen to considering downloading applications via BlackBerry App World instead of grabbing them directly from the source, as it helps ensure that you're always running the latest software version--or at least aware that updates exist.
For more on the recent App World enhancements, visit RIM's site.
Reprinted with permission from CIO. Story copyright 2009 CIO Inc. All rights reserved.
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