BlackBerry launched a Built for BlackBerry program many years ago in an attempt to develop an ecosystem for creating apps specifically for the BB 10 operating system. Now it appears that the Canadian firm is done with the program, says a report from CrackBerry.
Apps will remain available for download
In an email to developers, the company said it will be ending the program and will not be accepting any new submissions from now on. Also apps submitted for review will come to a halt, and current apps will be able to continue until Feb. 29.
“With our focus on enterprise customers, we are evolving our app strategy to focus on secure enterprise apps leveraging BlackBerry Enterprise Server and Good Powered by BlackBerry. As a result, we’re ending the Built for BlackBerry program,” the email read.
Though it appears to be bad news, the good news is that the apps are not going anywhere and will remain available for download. The change is that now they will no longer come under the Built for BlackBerry program, so users can be reassured of this and know that if any of their apps disappear, it is probably due to the developer’s decision and has nothing to do with BlackBerry ending its program.
Expected move from BlackBerry
Blackberry launched the program in 2012 when it was still known as Research in Motion. The apps that were submitted were shown in their respective section in BlackBerry World and often carry the company’s logo next to their star rating. Similar to BlackBerry’s accessories program, the purpose of the designation was to inform users that the app is worth their time and money.
During its lifetime, the program did give several compelling apps, but its shutting down must not come as a surprise. For the past few years, the Canadian firm has been encouraging developers to submit enterprise-level apps to BlackBerry World, while consumer apps have been requested to be sent through the Amazon App Store. With BlackBerry’s future hopes in the consumer mobile market tied to Android, such a move from the Canadian firm does signal a step back in regards to its own OS.
On Thursday, the Canadian firm’s shares closed down 0.29% at $6.88. Year to date, the stock is down by almost 26%, while in the last year, it is down 33%.
