RIM extends developer incentive, citing 'overwhelming' response

BlackBerry 10
Developers now have extra month to enter RIM's app challenge

As Research in Motion fans await the unveiling of new BlackBerry 10 powered handsets next week, the company has extended a $10,000 developer incentive prize after receiving a "remarkable" number of submissions.

Research in Motion is paving the road for new BlackBerry 10 smartphones to be launched on January 30 with the announcement that developers have an extra month to submit apps for the company's Built for BlackBerry challenge.

As noted on the Inside BlackBerry Developer Blog on Monday, the original deadline of January 21 has been shifted to 8pm EST on February 8, citing the "large volume of apps" being submitted for consideration.

RIM announced via Twitter that 19,071 apps were submitted to the company's rebranded BlackBerry World during the first 36 hours, a number RIM hopes to increase to 70,000 by launch, according to Engadget.

Quantity over quality?

Research in Motion's program encourages developers to create apps for the new BlackBerry 10 platform, guaranteeing them a minimum of $10,000 in the first year for titles that generate at least $1,000 revenue during that time.

The BlackBerry maker will pay the difference between what developers earn in the first 12 months and its $10,000 cap, also waiving the usual submission fees for apps submitted during the challenge.

It remains to be seen how many of those apps will actually wind up being slick enough for BlackBerry 10 owners to use on a daily basis, but it's encouraging that RIM has developers' backs at such a crucial stage.

Via Engadget

Latest in BlackBerry Phones
BlackBerry Torch
How I retrieved 10-year-old photos from a classic BlackBerry Torch
BlackBerry
OnwardMobility shuts down and ends the 5G BlackBerry dream
BlackBerry Key2 LE
Blackberry 5G won't ever release, report claims
BlackBerry Pearl
5 things BlackBerry phones got right (and 5 things they didn’t)
BlackBerry Key2 LE in a hand
BlackBerry 5G phone is still coming – and possibly soon
Astro Slide
Waiting for the Blackberry 5G? The Astro Slide could be a good alternative
Latest in News
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #385)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #651)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost