Welcome!

Welcome to the Official BlackBerry Support Community Forums. This is your resource to discuss support topics with your peers, and learn from each other. New to the forum? Please visit the ‘Getting Started’ link below.
All New Topics | All New Posts
inside custom component

Built For BlackBerry

Reply
Topic Options
Developer
Developer
jtegen
Posts: 6,145
Registered: ‎10-27-2010
My Carrier: AT&T

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎01-15-2013 05:24 PM

Yes, you want amazing, but RIM never said the apps had to be "amazing".  They said the apps have to have flow, be connected, use the native UI, etc.  And if you make an app that does this, RIM will stamp your app as a B4BB and you will have an opportunity to get 10K (etc, etc, etc).  If the app had to be "amazing", then there would have been a lot less developers trying for B4BB/10K (or even BB10) if the criteria was at a level that most would not achieve.  Also, an amazing app is subjective.  There are not a lot of apps that I would consider amazing.  None of the core BB10 apps that I have seen I would consider amazing.  They are good and well done, but not amazing.

 

I hope RIM can chime in here soon.  Seems the big issues are:

  • Not getting emails upon rejection detailing why an app failed
  • No measure that any app is being approved (if you have, please post your app name so we can see).
  • Criteria seems subjective.
  • Not seeing a recourse if an app was rejected (appeal process)

 

o2 interactive | FaceBook | Blog | Twitter
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 21 of 39 (1,225 Views)
Reply
Please use plain text.
 
Developer
Developer
jtegen
Posts: 6,145
Registered: ‎10-27-2010
My Carrier: AT&T

Re: Approved Apps and Games

[ Edited ]
Options

‎01-15-2013 07:55 PM - edited ‎01-16-2013 11:26 AM

Well, I decided to poor over the terms and conditions to see if we are missing something.  Part of the rules can be subjective.  RIM has up to 10 days to send an email if you get rejected.  So there is a very good chance that many of us will not get the feedback needed, corrections, re-submission, re-testing and final approval by the BB10 rollout.

 

Here is an abbreviate outline of the terms:

Rules:

  • Agree to T&C
  • No app limit
  • Approved by App World first
  • If not approved, email notified
  • After 3 tries, no more attempts
  • Can be revoked if issues not resolved
  • Support all devices within 90 days
  • Any developer eleigible
  • Only apps in AIR, WebWorks, Native (BB10 SDKs)
  • PhoneGap and Appcelerator if followed UI Guidelines
  • Support one launguage (en, fr, it de, es)
  • Can withdraw at any time

Testing criteria:

  • Obvious benefit to user
    • genuine entertainment value
    • enhanced productivity
    • enriched communication
  • Implementation of invocation framework or BBM
  • 1 function apps excluded
  • User Experience
    • use full form factor
    • deliver content, uncluttered screen
    • implement gestures and flow
    • important and frequent actions accessible
    • less frequent actions in overflow
    • context menus
    • app menu
    • shortcuts (context and keyboard)
    • progress feedback
  • Performance
    • manage CPU intelligently
    • memory
    • network
    • battery life
    • background mode
  • Security
    • not harmful to suer
    • provide privacy policy
  • Service integration
    • payment, bbm, advertise, locate, maps, push
    • invocation, NFC, scoreloop
  • Games
    • native engine or engines built for BB10
    • 4/5 stars on competing platform
  • After testing, email will be received within 10 days
  • Cannot resubmit under new app name if failed 3 times
  • Must upgrade with new OS updates within 90 days
  • RIM not responsible for late, lost, etc submissions or emails
  • no class actions

I think many AIR apps might get hit on "performance", so I hope there is some latitude with that since RIM has not provided stage3D that would address some of those issues.  Same with WebWorks.  Android is already excluded unless they are a game and fit the UX guidelines.

 

 

o2 interactive | FaceBook | Blog | Twitter
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 22 of 39 (1,212 Views)
Reply
Please use plain text.
 
Developer
Developer
jtegen
Posts: 6,145
Registered: ‎10-27-2010
My Carrier: AT&T

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎01-15-2013 07:56 PM

Wonder if you get an overall score and get a point system to pass. That would make it less subjective. For example, if you dont have an app menu, do you automatically fail?
o2 interactive | FaceBook | Blog | Twitter
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 23 of 39 (1,210 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Developer
Developer
jaiaca
Posts: 90
Registered: ‎10-06-2012
My Carrier: Rogers

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎01-15-2013 08:29 PM

The Coles Notes to Built for BlackBerry, lol, excellent work!

I think you maybe right about the overall score concept, it would make sense to do it that way. However, it's very tricky with games because it's exempt from a lot of the criteria - such as there is no need for BBM or scoreloop integration but RIM has been heavily pushing it for all games.

It would be great to know the progress of your app throughout the process - "pending stage 1" or "pending - performance testing stage"
Jason I. Carter
Follow me @jasonicarter
Built For BlackBerry - WordsPlus | word search has never had it so good
www.twocasualcoders.com | never casual on quality
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 24 of 39 (1,206 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Developer
Developer
blackqtcoder
Posts: 136
Registered: ‎05-18-2012
My Carrier: Telefonica Spain

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎01-28-2013 05:38 PM

TapyHold

-- Multimedia Book

 

App Page : TapyHold

---------------------------------------------------------------
Duantox founder, TapyHold developer
TapyHold multimedia scrapbook
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 25 of 39 (1,003 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Ovogame
Contributor
Ovogame
Posts: 18
Registered: ‎10-19-2012
My Carrier: (na)

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎02-06-2013 02:52 AM

Jump Birdy Jump has been approved for the Build For BlackBerry Label. I'm so happy. It's a really good game, you should try it :smileyhappy:

 

Jean-Claude

http://www.ovogame.com/bb
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 26 of 39 (909 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Trusted Contributor
georg22
Posts: 213
Registered: ‎11-22-2011
My Carrier: vodafone

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎02-12-2013 10:14 AM

One of my app was rejected because "it does not meet the criteria as outlined in user benefits".

Well, its a calculator for clothing sizes. Its a cascades app, fluid and the UI is pretty nice and it got best reviews so far - so whats wrong here. What can be wrong with a sizes calculator in terms of "user benefits" . This app IS USEFUL, so the user has benefits.

 

I have two more apps of this kind - small utility apps, but very useful, well designed and with best reviews. 

But now i am sure these apps will be rejected too. I wasted my time to get 3 smaller apps ready, instead of one big app which might be "amazing" enough to meet the critera.

 

I can only quote @jtegen: "RIM never said the apps had to be "amazing".  They said the apps have to have flow, be connected, use the native UI, etc.  And if you make an app that does this, RIM will stamp your app as a B4BB and you will have an opportunity to get 10K (etc, etc, etc)".

 

I have watched a BBJam webcast about B4BB months ago. A game was shown, which should meet the criteria. And this game was extremely simple with an ugly UI. It was said: As long as you follow the checklist everything is OK. 

 

Nothing is OK.

 

Report Inappropriate Content
Message 27 of 39 (832 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Trusted Contributor
jetstreamblue
Posts: 110
Registered: ‎01-21-2011
My Carrier: Telus

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎02-12-2013 03:44 PM

I also recall the webcast on B4BB, and the sample app they used was this simple lottery number picker app.  From what we're seeing now, that sample app would never get B4BB certified.

VENTURCON
For BB10: e-Mmanuel Bible Reader, e-Mmanuel Audio Bible, PM Assist
For PlayBook: e-Mmanuel Bible Reader, Business Analysis Toolbox
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 28 of 39 (811 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Developer
Developer
bcs925
Posts: 212
Registered: ‎07-13-2012
My Carrier: T-Mobile

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎02-13-2013 12:25 AM

georg22 wrote:

One of my app was rejected because "it does not meet the criteria as outlined in user benefits".

Well, its a calculator for clothing sizes. Its a cascades app, fluid and the UI is pretty nice and it got best reviews so far - so whats wrong here. What can be wrong with a sizes calculator in terms of "user benefits" . This app IS USEFUL, so the user has benefits.

 

I have two more apps of this kind - small utility apps, but very useful, well designed and with best reviews. 

But now i am sure these apps will be rejected too. I wasted my time to get 3 smaller apps ready, instead of one big app which might be "amazing" enough to meet the critera.

 

I can only quote @jtegen: "RIM never said the apps had to be "amazing".  They said the apps have to have flow, be connected, use the native UI, etc.  And if you make an app that does this, RIM will stamp your app as a B4BB and you will have an opportunity to get 10K (etc, etc, etc)".

 

I have watched a BBJam webcast about B4BB months ago. A game was shown, which should meet the criteria. And this game was extremely simple with an ugly UI. It was said: As long as you follow the checklist everything is OK. 

 

Nothing is OK.

 

 

You seemed to have answered your own complaint... if your app idea has been broken into 3 apps, that means the app you submited is lacking 2/3 of what it could do. (Unless I misunderstood what you said above.)  Take for example my SCUBA dive planning app: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20078476/ I could have easily split this into multiple apps what but what makes it provide maximum user benefit is that I put them all together with the nice UI, integration, etc, etc...  Hope this helps.

---
Check out my BB10 Cascades Coding site: BBcascades.com & Cascades Blog: bbcascadescode.tumblr.com

My Built for BlackBerry app: The Dive Plan
Report Inappropriate Content
Message 29 of 39 (788 Views)
Reply
0 Likes
Please use plain text.
 
Trusted Contributor
neilwick
Posts: 146
Registered: ‎01-20-2013
My Carrier: Telus

Re: Approved Apps and Games

Options

‎02-13-2013 02:59 AM

I've been making a list of apps that seem to be Built for BlackBerry approved, so we can refer to them before the new store section gets added. Here's a Google spreadsheet if anyone wants to add any: http://tinyurl.com/b9ap92p

 

Column A: I has a Built for BlackBerry icon, D has official BfB description text
    
Apps (alphabetical)
    
I  Free  FancyTran http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/2817
I  $0.99Filter Box http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20079176
I  $0.99Mono Art for BlackBerry 10http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/19996720
D  Free  Nobex http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/132152
I  $0.99Papillon Converter http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/22842
I  $0.99Papillon Currency Converter http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20309788
ID $1.99Photo Booth Pro http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/18919694
ID $3.99SayIt Built for BlackBerry http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20384595
I  $1.99Space TV Plus http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/19397847
ID $1.99TapyHold http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20351392
ID $3.99The Dive Plan http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20078476
I  $0.99Tipster http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/18614606
    
Games (alphabetical)
    
ID $2.9910 Pin Shuffle™ Bowlinghttp://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/132394
ID $2.99Azkend http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/117021
I  $0.99Chromasphere http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/96339
ID $9.99DingTicTic 10 http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20079388
I  $0.99Earl Grey http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20082238
I  $0.99Eggventure http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/35753
ID $2.99King Oddball http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/17843849
D  $1.99Scatter Word http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/132982
ID $3.99Solitaire City http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20026520
I  $2.99Sparkle http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/116340
I  $0.99TowerBox http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/17842820
I  $1.99Words in Bed http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/105772
I  $0.99WordsPlus http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/21931881

 

Report Inappropriate Content
Message 30 of 39 (774 Views)
Reply
Please use plain text.