Japan picks up BlackBerry App World update, paid applications not a problem anymore

As a matter of fact, neither can I access App World by regular means. Though I was able to get a glimpse of what App World is like by hosting my own BES. I had access to a computer with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, on which I installed BES Express. This allowed me to access App World from the local network the server was hooked up to, and finally I was able to download some applications that are App World exclusive (great example being Adidas miCoach). So, it is possible to access App World in some way, although this approach requires an expensive set of software to function, and is nothing a home user can easily maintain.

Another approach, which is more simple, yet a bit tricky, is to set up a BlackBerry smartphone simulator and the BlackBerry MDS services simulator. Choose any BlackBerry smartphone you like, hook the simulator up to the MDS services simulator and fire up App World from within the simulated BlackBerry smartphone. Then, proceed downloading any applications you like. Once you are done, use CrackUtil / BBSAK or similar to pull the COD files from the smartphone simulator. Depending on the application, this can be a very lengthy and tiresome process, but it is possible. Finally, you will need some ALX or JAD generator to create an installer for your BlackBerry and all you need to do then is to install the application on your BlackBerry via BlackBerry Desktop Software. Again, very complex, but possible.

Once you are familiar with the App World concept, you might dislike it very soon. I personally found it a rather bad execution of an "app store" for BlackBerry smartphones. I still believe OTA is the better way to go, as this allows for flexibility with distribution of the application (e.g. separate stable and beta downloads, et cetera). Unfortunately, some companies are rather stubborn and simply don't want to offer an OTA download. Perfect example is Adidas, whom I contacted numerous times, but they still refused to offer an OTA of their miCoach software (which I have since installed on my BlackBerry by using the method I mentioned above with the BES).

And, if all else fails, you can ask some of the more knowledgeable people to provide you an OTA of an App World exclusive application. BBtweeps do this, they call it "liberating" an application from App World. You can find them on Twitter, @BBtweeps. You could try asking nicely, they are very kind people, so you have a good chance that they are willing to liberate an application for you.

Peace,
Yousif.

This is a very interesting bit of information, thank you for sharing it with us. So little is talked about BlackBerry in Japan (and Bold seems to be the only BlackBerry smartphone available through official channels), that it is at times hard to find information regarding the use of BlackBerry smartphones in Japan. Should you have any other information you want to share, feel free to @reply me on Twitter: @yousifabdullah.

Peace,
Yousif.