RIM's BlackBerry 10 (BB 10) operating system, a reboot for the company's flagging mobile platform, is now open to app submissions, the company revealed in a blog post. Apps submitted from Oct. 10 will be tested for the operating system, which is scheduled for a 2013 launch.

"This means that apps submitted to the store starting today, October 10, are guaranteed to be reviewed, tested and ready for publishing when BlackBerry 10 launches in Q1 2013," said RIM's Alex Kinsella, Senior Public Relations and Social Media Manager at RIM, in a blog post.

Developers will see a new section in the App World portal called "BlackBerry 10" and a device called "All Touch." All Touch is what the device developers need to select to submit BB 10 apps. BlackBerry 10 development Alpha is also available for "targeting your app for testing purposes."

RIM added early submissions and if approved they will qualify for the Built for BlackBerry program, signifying high-quality apps for users at launch. The developers will also qualify for the 10k Developer Commitment, guaranteeing them a financial reward for the software. However, developers are required to release an app that brings about earnings of at least $1,000.

"To top it off, we're going to review all apps submitted to BlackBerry App World in October and November for preferred carousel placements at launch as a thank you," the company added.

Developers will need to use the Beta3 Developer Software development kits (SDKs) to build BlackBerry 10 apps. Previously submitted apps need to use the Beta3 SDK as well.

BlackBerry 10 may be RIM's final bet on building a successful mobile platform. Originally scheduled for a 2012 launch, the 2013 launch will be after Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 rolls out in October. Microsoft took third place, displacing RIM in the process, so it is possible that RIM's launch will come a wee bit late for it to pose a major threat to other existing OS ecosystems.

The company's developer build of BB 10 also came with a device, perhaps the first smartphone for the platform. The platform includes promising features like running apps showing thumbnails, not screenshots.

BlackBerry 10 is expected to launch in Q1 2013.