Research in Motion has released details pertaining to a planned rebranding of its app store for BlackBerry 10, known as BlackBerry App World. The Canadian company will soon be dropping “App” from the name and adding a full-on media catalog that will provide music, movies and television shows for rent or purchase.
The BlackBerry World storefront will include DRM-free music from all major and independent labels including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and XL Recordings, among others. RIM says the music section will initially be available to customers in 18 countries including Canada, the US, the UK, Mexico, France, Germany and Australia.
RIM points out that the video download and rental section will initially be limited to users in the US, the UK and Canada. Titles will vary by region and distributor but we already know that they have signed deals with pretty much all of the big name studios including 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Starz, just to name a few.
Most movies will hit BlackBerry World on the same day they are released on DVD while many current TV series will be available the day after they air on television.
Pricing and payment information is still largely unknown at this time but one would expect both to be in line with similar services to remain competitive. We will likely hear more about the new BlackBerry World at RIM’s press conference in New York on Wednesday.
