BlackBerry has decided to terminate its App Generator service this year, with users having the option to transfer their account to Mippin. App Generator is a joint effort of BlackBerry and Mippin, which have worked together on it for several years.
What next for users?
In an email circulated to the users, BlackBerry stated that users will be able to enjoy the service and design app on Mippin. To transfer to Mippin, users must log in to the BlackBerry App Generator before May 29. Users will be informed of the transfer, and their consent will be taken before transferring their accounts to Mippin. Those failing to give their approval by the due date will no longer be able to access their apps made through the generator.
Users can enjoy the new services for free until December 31. Mippin will be offering several options for users choose from before the end of the year in case they wish to continue with the service.
BlackBerry shifting focus
With just a few clicks, Generator helped a user create BlackBerry 10, PlayBook and legacy BBOS apps. It seems the need for the BlackBerry App Generator has come to an end as the company is shifting its focus to enterprise services.
“BlackBerry® has made the decision to end of life this product as part of our shift in strategic focus to serve the needs of enterprise customers,” read an email sent to users.
The apps created by App Generator were simple ones like personal blogs and filler apps and nothing else. BlackBerry App Generator users can count on Mippin as it is an award-winning app development platform. In 2013, it was reckoned as the finalist in the esteemed “Mobile Innovation of the Year Award” by BlackBerry. Also, in 2012, an Association of Online Publishers selected Mippin App Factory as a finalist in the “Best Technology Partner” category.
While the exact number of apps created through BlackBerry App Generator is not known, that number is huge. If the app users do not give their consent to the change proposed by BlackBerry, then soon we will see a number of useful apps missing from BlackBerry World.
