With RIM’s 10K Developer Commitment contingent on their Built for BlackBerry Program there have been quite a few questions on criteria. Alec Saunders, head of RIM’s developer relations, took to the BlackBerry Dev Blog today to explain a bit more about the program. He explains why the criteria are very strict and explains that Built for BlackBerry essentially means RIM is putting “the whole weight of the BlackBerry Brand behind that app or game.” Therefore these apps must:
- Focus on delivering intended content, keeping the screen as uncluttered of controls as possible.
- Implement gesture and flow techniques, such as peek gestures, for fluid user interaction.
- Provide effective processor, memory, and power management.
He also pointed out that there have been over 900 Android apps submitted that definitely do not meet this criteria. They also do not count web launchers, simple apps that mobilize RSS feeds, flashlight apps, and such to be “Built for BlackBerry. RIM is working on making the details in rejection emails a bit more specific so developers can make changes to get certified and that should be coming this week.
RIM just started notifying the first group of Built for BlackBerry certified apps. Alec uses the example of the awesome “FancyTran” app that is coming to BlackBerry 10 and has just been certified. That is a screenshot of the app above. This is how Alec describes the “Built for BlackBerry” FancyTran:
FancyTran brings their highly rated app to a new level with FancyTran on BlackBerry 10. The entire app can be navigated with just your thumb – allowing you to quickly dictate and translate from 14 languages to over 60 languages. FancyTran also leverages our BlackBerry Payment Service to easily allow customers to purchase the full version of the app once it’s downloaded from BlackBerry World.
It is simple, easy to use, high-performing, built in a native BlackBerry environment (no Android folks) and integrated. It leverages BlackBerry platform services and syncs to native voice features seamlessly.