We also saw an increase of users with BlackBerry® smartphones running 6.0 OS downloading free applications in BlackBerry App World – 31% of free app downloads come from a 6.0 smartphone. Also, the majority of free application downloads in App World originate from smartphones running OS 5.0 and 6.0 smartphones, totaling 88%.

Looking at the numbers in terms of paid apps downloaded from App World, 94% of BlackBerry smartphone users have devices with OS 5.0 and 6.0 software. An increasing number of customers with 6.0 devices are now purchasing paid apps as compared to last quarter; with 6.0 devices making up 54% of all paid app downloads.

These stats reflect a growing opportunity for developers to target a customer base with applications that support the latest smartphone OS, 5.0 and especially, 6.0, so if you haven’t yet updated your app for 6.0 support ensure you check out the 6.0 development tools, simulators and development guides.

We’ve also recently released BlackBerry 7 simulators on Developer Zone. Don’t be late to the party – download the new simulators today!

However, we can help with a few common variables: supported smartphones and key features, and information about BlackBerry subscribers and downloads from BlackBerry App World™. It’s simple – you want to build the best possible app (a Super App!) and get the most bang for your development buck!

In August, we added a new page to the ‘Getting Started’ area on the BlackBerry® Developer Zone, and it has just been updated with information from November. Did you know that you can now reach 93% of BlackBerry smartphones by targeting BlackBerry® Device Software v4.5 and higher? This is up 10% from August. Also, you can reach almost half of BlackBerry smartphones by targeting BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and 6.

For more OS and BlackBerry App World information, check out Choosing a Target Device OS.

I wish you happy building and happy selling – and happy holidays too!