App World 2.0 being more widely available could be a boon to BlackBerry users looking to buy apps.

Until Thursday, “App World 2.0 was available to users on an invite-only basis starting in late July. The second version of BlackBerry's application store adds some features that could attract more users and developers to the platform,” says industry observer Nancy Gohring.

“The new version of the Web store brings a number of welcome changes, such as carrier billing, better searching, and better management tools for end users,” according to industry observer Eric Zeman. “RIM offered the newer version of App World to a select group of users in beta form a few weeks ago, but recently began pushing the final version out to all BlackBerry users late Thursday. Users will be notified when the update is available to their handset.”

End users can now buy applications using major credit cards, Gohring says, adding that they also “may be able to add purchases on their mobile bill, depending on the carrier. Previously, users paid with PayPal... Previously, developers could offer their apps for free or for more expensive prices. But the lower prices are common on other platforms like the iPhone and they could attract more buyers and developers.”

Industry observer Nicole Lee added that developers will be able to offer apps for $0.99 and $1.99, “and there is support for both credit card and carrier billing. You can also use your BlackBerry ID to manage your account information across multiple devices, and the navigation has been improved considerably with new tabbed sections and the capability to quickly view the Top 25, Newest, and Recently Updated Apps. QR barcode scanning is also supported.”