BlackBerry App Numbers Double

The app store could be the iPhone’s biggest advantage over competitors in sheer numbers of applications that are available. But RIM is trying to make a dent in Apple’s lead by doubling the number of applications for its BlackBerry smartphones.

Just three months after opening its app store, RIM says it now has 2,000 applications available. The company also will soon open its store to more customers in Europe, and to Brazil and India in the months ahead.

It’s still a small dent, though, considering Apple has 50,000 apps available. Broadening the appeal of the BlackBerry App World store in the rest of the world may be the best step to cut into market share.