The official announcement from RIM just came out earlier today:

I have exciting news for BlackBerry® smartphone users crazy about apps! BlackBerry App World™ 2.0 is now available in BlackBerry Beta Zone as an invite-based beta – make sure to sign up for a Beta Zone account so you can receive a beta invite! If you’re interested in learning more about what’s new in BlackBerry App World 2.0 – including new Top 25’s, barcode scanning, new billing options and more – check out my BlackBerry App World 2.0 preview.

 

Also, check out my video above and tell us about the top five apps you’ve downloaded with BlackBerry App World. BlackBerry App World is now in 65 countries worldwide (in six languages!) with over one million apps being downloaded each day, so we’re really excited to hear what you have to tell us about your favorite apps!

Servers down!

Right now it looks like the servers from RIM are overloaded and only a few people have success downloading the latest version. You can try when things are back up you can pick up the beta in the beta zone at www.blackberry.com/beta.

AppWorld 2.0 will bring you:

• Split Top 25 Themes and Top 25 Apps
• BlackBerry App World Barcode Scanning for download applications with a simple picture
• Advanced Billing Options
  • Credit cards – varies by region
  • Carrier billing – just pay for an app on your wireless bill
• BlackBerry ID – a new device independent user identification for downloading apps and easily switching devices