RIM announces new Physical QWERTY Dev Alpha C device, rebrands BlackBerry App World to �BlackBerry W

At BlackBerry Jam Asia this morning RIM announced a number of changes and additions that we can expect in the coming months. First, the BlackBerry App World, RIM�s app store, will be renamed when BB10 officially launches to simply �BlackBerry World.� This will feature more than apps as you�ll be able to purchase music, movies, TV shows and games.

Alec Saunders, RIM�s VP of Developer Relations, also revealed the new Dev Alpha C device � a BlackBerry 10 smartphone with a physical QWERTY keyboard. This BB10 is only for developers who are looking to test their BB10 apps. Similar to the all-touch Dev Alpha A and Dev Alpha B, there�s a limited amount to go around. In total, RIM has only produced 1,500 Dev Alpha C devices and interested developers need to qualify to score one. On their blog they noted scoring is based on a point system, specifically that �The top 1,500 people to submit two or more applications will be given priority seeding for the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C.� Here�s the breakdown of the point system:

- 50 points for ported Android applications
- 250 points for all other applications (Native, BlackBerry WebWorks, Adobe AIR)
- 1,500 points for Built For BlackBerry certified application
- 200 points to start for BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha A/B recipients
- 200 points to start if you are a BlackBerry Elite Member

RIM also reminded developers that the final SDK is expected to be available December 11th with all the API�s, with all hands-on deck aiming for the big unveiling on January 30th, 2013.

RIM announces new Physical QWERTY Dev Alpha C device, rebrands BlackBerry App World to "BlackBerry World" | MobileSyrup.com