Australia to sit out Blackberry app store launch

The new app store, Blackberry App World, will launch within days for users in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, according to a RIM announcement.

But RIM's local representatives are unable to confirm when Australian users will have access to the downloadable applications, or how an Australian IP address might be blocked from accessing the store once it launches.

Blackberry App World users overseas will be able to purchase apps from the store using online payments engine, PayPal.

Many Australian users already use PayPal for their transactions on auction site eBay.

Pricing for Blackberry apps follow a tiered structure. The cheapest apps (other than free one) start at US$2.99, over three times the price of the cheapest downloadable programs on Apple's iPhone store.

The most expensive applications will be listed at US$9.99.