BlackBerry has just released a new version of the App World on December 16, 2011. The new version 3.1 .0.56 offers the expected bug fixes and a few other features on its plate. Although there aren’t much to expect, here are three that could well be something you have been waiting for:

1. WiFi-only support: When in the past, network coverage + WiFi were necessary to access its applications store, now whether you have weak or zero network coverage, you can still download those nice additions to your BlackBerry phone as long as you’re connected to a WiFi network.

2. Request Gift: This allows you to request somebody (could be a family or a friend) to buy you the application, instead of having to fork out your own card credits for your desired app. Although I did talk about the lack of native applications in the App World, there are however several offerings in the store that you wouldn’t want to miss out (like the Quick Launch App, or perhaps the BeJoose Memory Optimizer).

3. Content Controls: You can now control which applications you wish to appear in the App World in your device. The controls are categorized into Adult 18+, Mature 17+, Teen 13+, and General. These control options could especially be useful to parents who want to manage the apps their kids can get from the App World.

These are just some of the identifiable features of the new version, although reports show a few more hidden tricks in the upgrade. You should now be automatically prompted by your BlackBerry handset to download this new version from the App World.

And once you get the upgrade, perhaps you can also tell us what you think about it…

(Photo from Google. No copyright infringement is intended in the use of the image. Thank You)