Mike Lazaridis Introduces BlackBerry Super Apps

During his keynote at MWC 2010, Mike Lazaridis introduced the concept of a Super App. It’s not clear exactly what is meant by “Super App”, but it seems that it’s a name given to apps that take advantage of all that the BlackBerry platform has to offer. Personally, I think this is a marketing initiative to get people exposed to the fact that the BlackBerry OS can do more than the iPhone in terms of functionality, and it doesn’t really mean anything to current BlackBerry users.

In order for an app to be Super, it should include:

The Always-on Experience – the app runs in the background.
Tight Integration with the Native Apps – integrates with the calendar, messages, contacts etc.
Proactive and Notification-driven – takes advantage of Push APIs.
Highly Contextualized – make it continuously relevant with GPS, menu and app integration.
Social and Connected – invoke SMS, social networks, email etc.
Designed for Efficiency – doesn’t drain on the battery or memory.

The apps that RIM point to as being Super Apps include Facebook and Myspace (two apps that need serious overhauls). While I understand what Mike L is trying to say, I think this is a lot of marketing fluff with nothing really substantial behind it. If Lazaridis was going to make this sort of presentation, it should be followed with an announcement that RIM has opened up new APIs that were previously unavailable to developers. Without this substance, it just sounds like Google’s attempt to label their phone a SuperPhone.

Are there any apps you would like to nominate as Super Apps?

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CG

Poynt is the superapp of all super apps, i cant live without it. examples of useless apps, urban spoon, when u have poynt… urban spoon is just a dumb gimmick
CG

Poynt is the superapp of all super apps, i cant live without it. examples of useless apps, urban spoon, when u have poynt… urban spoon is just a dumb gimmick
http://www.poweredonmedia.com/ Shaun Collins

Poynt and SocialScope are the only “Super Apps” that I can think of.
http://www.poweredonmedia.com/ Shaun Collins

Poynt and SocialScope are the only “Super Apps” that I can think of.
http://www.poweredonmedia.com scollins

Poynt and SocialScope are the only “Super Apps” that I can think of.
http://caspan.com/ Caspan

I think the video was bang on and as I commented at another blog most people think that RIM is blowing sales smoke up your you know what, I believe there is a lot of truth to what Mike is saying. Calling them super apps sounds like a midnight decision because it's not really a catchy name. What ever RIM calls these apps I could care less but I love the integration. Thing is like Kyle said that RIM is so tight with their API releases it makes it almost impossible for a programmer to make a super app. If you work internally and want access to do XYZ and it does not exist they just seem to make it happen, we do not get that luxury externally. I wish RIM would open the APIs to expose the full capabilities of these devices to programmers. I know exposing APIs allow more chances for security breaches but just do it right like you have be doing and give the community access so we can turn the BlackBerry in to a super phone instead of a smart phone!
http://caspan.com/ Caspan

I think the video was bang on and as I commented at another blog most people think that RIM is blowing sales smoke up your you know what, I believe there is a lot of truth to what Mike is saying. Calling them super apps sounds like a midnight decision because it's not really a catchy name. What ever RIM calls these apps I could care less but I love the integration. Thing is like Kyle said that RIM is so tight with their API releases it makes it almost impossible for a programmer to make a super app. If you work internally and want access to do XYZ and it does not exist they just seem to make it happen, we do not get that luxury externally. I wish RIM would open the APIs to expose the full capabilities of these devices to programmers. I know exposing APIs allow more chances for security breaches but just do it right like you have be doing and give the community access so we can turn the BlackBerry in to a super phone instead of a smart phone!
http://caspan.com Caspan

I think the video was bang on and as I commented at another blog most people think that RIM is blowing sales smoke up your you know what, I believe there is a lot of truth to what Mike is saying. Calling them super apps sounds like a midnight decision because it's not really a catchy name. What ever RIM calls these apps I could care less but I love the integration. Thing is like Kyle said that RIM is so tight with their API releases it makes it almost impossible for a programmer to make a super app. If you work internally and want access to do XYZ and it does not exist they just seem to make it happen, we do not get that luxury externally.

I wish RIM would open the APIs to expose the full capabilities of these devices to programmers. I know exposing APIs allow more chances for security breaches but just do it right like you have be doing and give the community access so we can turn the BlackBerry in to a super phone instead of a smart phone!
gleboski

Yes the recently released Harden's app qualifies for a super app – it is totally addictive (can't talk about a restaurant without checking it on my BB, it is totally integrated with native apps, uses GPS, allows tweets and facebook interaction – as CG rightly poynted out, urban spoon is a dumb gimmick also in comparison with this Harden's app
gleboski

Yes the recently released Harden's app qualifies for a super app – it is totally addictive (can't talk about a restaurant without checking it on my BB, it is totally integrated with native apps, uses GPS, allows tweets and facebook interaction – as CG rightly poynted out, urban spoon is a dumb gimmick also in comparison with this Harden's app
http://seriousmobile.wordpress.com/ Donny

Very true. This can be remedied with internal RIM testing and code verification line by line, and ONLY hosted on RIM's App World would be nice – but that's in time.I also think RIM has implemented MIDP3/JSR271 … the video from MWC2010 showed sending a tweet from the messaging app without loading the twitter app – this shows data sharing and a headless application. If this is what makes a Super App then I'm ALL for it.
http://seriousmobile.wordpress.com/ Donny

Very true. This can be remedied with internal RIM testing and code verification line by line, and ONLY hosted on RIM's App World would be nice – but that's in time.

I also think RIM has implemented MIDP3/JSR271 … the video from MWC2010 showed sending a tweet from the messaging app without loading the twitter app – this shows data sharing and a headless application. If this is what makes a Super App then I'm ALL for it.
http://seriousmobile.wordpress.com/ Donny

Very true. This can be remedied with internal RIM testing and code verification line by line, and ONLY hosted on RIM's App World would be nice – but that's in time.

I also think RIM has implemented MIDP3/JSR271 … the video from MWC2010 showed sending a tweet from the messaging app without loading the twitter app – this shows data sharing and a headless application. If this is what makes a Super App then I'm ALL for it.
stjohnofthevatican

I agreed that FB needs some overhauling. Its quite slow. I had an android based tablet and its just fantastic but its android and had some of the apps not working properly. Its just like many of the apps are but a piece of junk and just like a cheap shirt that looks good on the outside but quality is quite poor. Still awaiting for the BB10 if would make any great diff on my PB. Again, looking for apps on PB that would allow video conferencing and BBM.

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