RIM Planning In-App Payment Service – Will it Catch on?

During DevCon RIM presented their upcoming in-app purchase system and displayed a demo of it working in the Bloomberg app. The idea is that you can get a free or commercial application and then purchase additional functionality or information at a later date. Or better yet you could download a free BlackBerry app that you can upgrade to the full version inside the application. The payments will go through the same system as App World which will probably be PayPal and integrate with BlackBerry Wallet.

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Bloomberg was demoing this by showing how a user could be reading an article and purchase some of their premium coverage. I can see games like that where you purchase extra levels. I think it might make Trials finally take off by allowing for an in-app upgrade.

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So what do you think? I am curious how developers and users will react to this system. Will consumers feel like they are getting pushed for a constant up-sell or will it be a way for developers to create more flexible applications and pricing models… This could also have a lucrative tie in with RIM’s announced advertising program.

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