BlackBerry Payment Service SDK 1.5 Now Available

RIM has just updated the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK 1.0 to a new version which adds a great extension to the SDK announced in January. The BlackBerry Payment Service SDK 1.5 enables developers to start offering subscription based services, auto-renewing subscriptions for apps and in-app digital goods.

Developers can easily update to the new version as BlackBerry Payment Service SDK 1.5 leverages the API from 1.0. The new functionality includes checking for status of a subscription and canceling subscriptions. BlackBerry Payment Service manages the subscription renewals and sends out renewal reminders and receipts to users. To benefit from apps with subscription services users will have to download the recently released BlackBerry App World 3.0.

With BlackBerry Payment Service 1.5 developers can adopt a new business model for their apps if they choose to. It includes automatic renewal periods at 7 or 30 days, recurring billing automatically handled by BlackBerry App World, the option to offer incentives to first time subscribers, the convenience of choosing from PayPal, Credit Card or Carrier Billing as payment options. They can also offer premium content or access to a cloud-based service. As an example check out BBM Music which already uses BlackBerry Service SDK 1.5.

• Download the SDK here or view documentation here
• Will you be using the new Payment Services? Discuss in the forum