The BlackBerry App World will rival Apple, with Nokia and Microsoft to follow. The online space is set to be launching April 1 at the CTIA Wireless trade show in Las Vegas.

The details are likely to be part of the keynote address by Mike Lazaridis, co-CEO of RIM. BlackBerry App World will be chock-full of software programs created by outside developers that visitors will be able to download to their RIM phones. This coming with the number of mobile phones that can browse the Web and handle other advanced tasks is expected to surge from 139 million last year to 295 million in 2010 (Gartner).

Smartphones are on track to eclipse the 300 million-unit ­personal computer market. From a who’s who thought of BlackBerry users, statistically they tend to be well-off, and some will be able to charge App World software to their employers. RIM also plans to take just 20% of BlackBerry software sales. This compared with Apple’s 30% cut. RIM’s starting price for applications, not including the freebies is $2.99 compared with Apple’s 99 cents. The World of the BlackBerry will offer choice to those that chose a BlackBerry. Like me!

[via Business Week]