By Alexandra Burlacu email: a.burlacu@mobilenapps.com | Jan 23, 2013 10:16 PM EST
BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has announced that it is extending the deadline for Built for BlackBerry, as it received overwhelming submissions.
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Developers have ported more than 19,000 apps to BlackBerry 10 (BB10) over the weekend, prompting the company to extend the deadline for its various programs and get more coders to commit to the BB10 platform.
BlackBerry 10 had already raked in roughly 15,000 app submissions in the first 36 hours after RIM launched its port-a-thon, but the overwhelming number of new apps submitted this weekend made it clear that developers need more time to get their apps in.
"We've heard your questions about the Built for BlackBerry deadline. The fact is, the volume of apps being submitted for review and entry into the program has been remarkable," RIM announced on Monday, Jan. 21. "Due to that large volume of apps, we are extending the deadline."
Built for BlackBerry is one of several incentive programs RIM launched to attract developers, and aims to focus on apps that have "passed an added level of evaluation." RIM will market these apps more using several channels.
BB10 is widely seen as the last chance for RIM to keep its head above the water and survive in an increasingly competitive environment. In an effort to rebuild itself, the struggling BlackBerry maker has recently rebranded its app store, changing the name from BlackBerry App World to just BlackBerry World. RIM also held a series of port-a-thons to encourage developers to port the apps they built for other platforms over to BB10. The company seems to be no short of apps now, and as many as 104,000 apps may be available by the time BB10 launches on Jan. 30.
RIM will not be the only one benefiting from the apps. Developers will get $100 in hand for each app they port to BB10, and if an app generates $1,000 in sales RIM will guarantee $10,000 in revenue, making up the difference itself, if necessary.
According to RIM's announcement, apps submitted on or before 8 p.m. EST on Jan. 21, 2013, may qualify for the $10k Developer Commitment. One condition, however, is that the developer agrees to the official terms and conditions, and passes Built for BlackBerry testing. With the deadline extension, developers now have until Feb. 18, 8 p.m. ET, to apply for Built for BlackBerry and the $10k Developer Commitment offer in the BlackBerry World Vendor Portal. The qualifying sale dates for the $10k Commitments run from 12:01 a.m. ET on March 4, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 3, 2014.
Developers should read the Built for BlackBerry criteria before applying. Lastly, RIM further notes that the BlackBerry App Generator and Android apps are not eligible for Built for BlackBerry or the $10k Commitment.
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