Seems like this next update will be a serious downgrade

**bldshd** · 04-09-2012, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by chrism_scotland

Frankly for me if I can't sideload Android Apps I might as well just buy an Android Tablet and Android Phone to go with it, App World so far sucks and if it wasn't for native Zinio and about 6-8 Android Apps I've sideloaded the Playbook would be in the bin.

I really want to love it but seeing all the cool things that Android gets that frankly we're unlikely to ever get now just makes me want to get something else.

Stop crying!! nobody cares.. Don't talk about it,, be about it!! No one here cares if you want to go buy an android tablet. I bought my first PlayBook on the first day it was released and I loved it ever since, then I bought my second one around Christmas when they went on sale.. Does basically everything I need it to.. AppWorlds New Arrival section has new apps everyday, yes some are complete trash but android market is full of a lot of garbage as well. The big names are starting to get on board, and eventually (not next month, but eventually) all "app stores" will be equal. Regardless if you don't like the apps that are there now go buy your android tablet. I'm so sick & tired of hearing people saying it. WE DON'T CARE if you get one or not. WE are NOT gonna beg you not to..

**chaddeus** · 04-09-2012, 04:19 AM

I do hope that big name developers will start looking at Playbook as a potential platform of the future.. I really hope they do!! I dont want to regret buying Playbook!!

- Charles

**sashlon** · 04-09-2012, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by bldshd

Stop crying!! nobody cares.. Don't talk about it,, be about it!! No one here cares if you want to go buy an android tablet. I bought my first PlayBook on the first day it was released and I loved it ever since, then I bought my second one around Christmas when they went on sale.. Does basically everything I need it to.. AppWorlds New Arrival section has new apps everyday, yes some are complete trash but android market is full of a lot of garbage as well. The big names are starting to get on board, and eventually (not next month, but eventually) all "app stores" will be equal. Regardless if you don't like the apps that are there now go buy your android tablet. I'm so sick & tired of hearing people saying it. WE DON'T CARE if you get one or not. WE are NOT gonna beg you not to..

But a lot of the people who are upset don't want an Android tablet. We want our Playbooks to be all they can be. We want apps. We want functionality.

You say big names are getting on board? Which ones exactly? I must have missed that.

The whole "we don't care / go away" comment is a seller way to build community spirit btw. Just because someone has disappointment or criticism doesn't make them your enemy

**JeepBB** · 04-09-2012, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by chrism_scotland

Frankly for me if I can't sideload Android Apps I might as well just buy an Android Tablet and Android Phone to go with it, App World so far sucks and if it wasn't for native Zinio and about 6-8 Android Apps I've sideloaded the Playbook would be in the bin.

I really want to love it but seeing all the cool things that Android gets that frankly we're unlikely to ever get now just makes me want to get something else.

Despite the (predictably?) rude response to this from some others, I care that you've reached this point.

I recall you proudly posting, just a few short months ago, about your new PB. The enthusiasm in your posts was palpable and it's a shame you've reached this point.

I reckon that I've reached much the same conclusion as you. PB hardware is great, the UI is slick and inventive, but it's not enough. OS2 is buggy and unstable, and we're still waiting for the supporting infrastructure after a year. Where is Cascades? Where are all the big name apps promised at launch? Where is the polish on the existing apps - e.g. browser bookmarks? Why is Docs2Go so much worse on PB than other platforms when RIM actually own the company that makes it! Etc, etc.

Sideloading and the Android Player have been the saviour of PB IMHO - providing a mechanism for gaining access to the apps that people (generally) want. Turning PB into a closed system will I believe be a nail in PB's coffin. Maybe RIM feel that the only thing holding back all the Devs embracing PB is the fear of sideloading... I guess we'll see if they are proved correct, because nothing said on these forums is going to stop them from doing that.

I've seen the phrase "If you build it, they will come" mentioned a few times hereabouts - often in connection to BB10. Field of Dreams was a great film - a heart-warming fantasy with a happy ending. However, back in the real world, RIM have built it, and we're still waiting for "them" to come.

**bldshd** · 04-09-2012, 05:56 AM

I have no enemies at all whatsoever especially in the crackberry forums... And I didn't realize that by every time someone gets a Lil frustrated or bored with their PlayBooks and they say they're just going to go get a android phone & tablet was building community spirit. I'm sure I'm not the only person who is tired of hearing " I'm just going to get a android tablet". If you wanted android apps, that's probably what you should have done to begin with. Like I said I'm perfectly happy with my PlayBook, and when I said some big names have already started to jump on board I meant companies like EA, Gameloft, Union, whoever makes cut the rope, and one I know I was waiting a long time for Rovio. It's just my opinion but to me I dont depend on my tablet to give me enjoyment 24/7, when I'm not using it for something productive its great to pick up, and mess around with in my free time, and for that I have no complaints. Of course it would be great if it had Skype and netflix, and hopefully they'll be added soon enough. In the meantime I still love my PlayBook and honestly wouldn't trade it for any other tablet out there. My PlayBook. Gets used by everyone in my house so I went & bought a second one. I believe the apps are coming, we just need be patient

**sashlon** · 04-09-2012, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by bldshd

I have no enemies at all whatsoever especially in the crackberry forums... And I didn't realize that by every time someone gets a Lil frustrated or bored with their PlayBooks and they say they're just going to go get a android phone & tablet was building community spirit. I'm sure I'm not the only person who is tired of hearing " I'm just going to get a android tablet". If you wanted android apps, that's probably what you should have done to begin with. Like I said I'm perfectly happy with my PlayBook, and when I said some big names have already started to jump on board I meant companies like EA, Gameloft, Union, whoever makes cut the rope, and one I know I was waiting a long time for Rovio. It's just my opinion but to me I dont depend on my tablet to give me enjoyment 24/7, when I'm not using it for something productive its great to pick up, and mess around with in my free time, and for that I have no complaints. Of course it would be great if it had Skype and netflix, and hopefully they'll be added soon enough. In the meantime I still love my PlayBook and honestly wouldn't trade it for any other tablet out there. My PlayBook. Gets used by everyone in my house so I went & bought a second one. I believe the apps are coming, we just need be patient

I started this thread as a bit of a rant about the lack of apps/support from RIM. I never said anything about getting rid of my PlayBook. In fact I've stated numerous times that I love the device.

2 weeks ago I had a pretty nasty fall and I tore 3 muscles in my leg. I haven't been able to walk for 2 weeks. My PlayBook has been a constant companion for me. It has literally been my best friend (sad I know). I have tons of fun on it. But it is so lacking in decent apps. I do not want android apps. I want native apps, but they aren't there, and I'm not hopeful about getting them. Sideloading is the one (hit and miss) solution to the app issue available to me. Now RIM says it's getting canned if I update. I want the update because I bet its good, but to get it I will lose half of my available apps. I am so frustrated by this.

**bldshd** · 04-09-2012, 06:31 AM

First & foremost sorry about your injury, been in a similar situation not very fun. Times like that make something like a PlayBook that much more valuable. Honestly I haven't gotten in to sideloading apps, but I agree that if I did and the next update would make them unusable I'd be pretty aggravated. The only thing we can hope is that we get more and more big name companies to realize the potential in developing for BlackBerry

**bitek** · 04-09-2012, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by sashlon

You obviously didn't read my post.

I don't really want android apps. I want native apps. But they don't exist. So if you want apps like ebay, NBA tv, what's app, doodle jump, 4shared, etc, the only way to get the is by sideloading them. I wish I could just go to Appworld and get them, but. I can't.

I think the playbook is an awesome tablet. I love it. But RIM has done an awful jpb of supporting it unfortunately. So users are force to use avenues like sideloading to get apps. Now they say they'll remove that option too.

I don't want android apps. But since RIM isn't bringing the apps, where else can we get them?

I agree without completely. I side load apps because they many are not available in app store. I have Google maps, documents to go (different then native one), economist , dictionary.com and other apps that I use daily. Again they are not available in app store. RIM should make sure all these apps are in the app store before removing side loading. I would be glad to download them from there. I cannot loose these apps so I will not be upgrading os. I can see why rim is doing this but my patients is running thin. If rim upsets me more I will sell this tablet and go with new Asus 7 inch android tablet that is coming out.

**bitek** · 04-09-2012, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by goku_vegeta

I think the case here is that RIM decided to keep it there for experimentation and curious android developers. I'm pretty sure they didn't expect an entire slew of piracy to follow suit.

The point is there is NO piracy. 99 % are free anyways. 1% is not good enough reason right now to remove this feature.

**bounce007** · 04-09-2012, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by F2

Where do you see in the removal of sideloading "the open, configurable tablet model?"

They are going for the walled-garden from what it sounds like. It will be very difficult for developers, at least, smaller developers to beta test. There will be serious issues with open, public beta tests. If Rim does not like the app for whatever reason, it will never be available. We would have never had the initial browsers that allowed changing User Agents under Rim's scheme.

Rim just needs to encrypt the DM backups to thwart piracy (unless of course, they give that key to India, also).

Without Sideloading I couldn't use KermED's Browser, nor install LocalBar. Encrypt the BackUps RIM!!! But as F2 said don't give the key to India! lol

**kbz1960** · 04-09-2012, 07:03 AM

Not going to be a downgrade to me if takes care of some or most of the issues.

I don't think RIM ever said you will be able to side load any and everything available. While it may he fun to experiment with and may get you an app that you want how good is the experience?

How about you developers? Care if I just grab your Apk anywhere, convert it and start giving it away to anyone that wants to have it? How about the emails etc you get from people complaining and want something fixed?

While I despise such a closed system as apple I'm afraid before long they are going to all be that way soon.

**bitek** · 04-09-2012, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

Not going to be a downgrade to me if takes care of some or most of the issues.

I don't think RIM ever said you will be able to side load any and everything available. While it may he fun to experiment with and may get you an app that you want how good is the experience?

How about you developers? Care if I just grab your Apk anywhere, convert it and start giving it away to anyone that wants to have it? How about the emails etc you get from people complaining and want something fixed?

While I despise such a closed system as apple I'm afraid before long they are going to all be that way soon.

the issue is that many apps are not in the app store and some will never show up there like google maps.

Sent from my BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps using Tapatalk

**jamesbondOO7** · 04-09-2012, 07:20 AM

Sideloading is indeed the best recipe for failure.

**bounce007** · 04-09-2012, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Sideloading is indeed the best recipe for failure.

So failure is inevitable for Android?

**alnamvet68** · 04-09-2012, 07:23 AM

No sideload, no dingle berrying, no hacking, no jailbreaking = SUCCESS! Looking forward to this next upgrade.

**bitek** · 04-09-2012, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Sideloading is indeed the best recipe for failure.

but this is simply not true. tons of apps work great. google maps, tweeter,linked in,ebay,paypal all work greatvon my pb. no issues ever. not once. nowci loose it all or wait for who knows how long. stupid. rim is about to remove funtionality from my pb that I like so much. bring all these apps first and then remove sideloading

Sent from my BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps using Tapatalk

**jamesbondOO7** · 04-09-2012, 07:35 AM

For me Google maps did not work at all. Kindle worked for 2 days and then went (together with everything on the PlayBook) into a downwards spiral. No sideloading for me EVER again.

**Snafufubar** · 04-09-2012, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by bldshd

Stop crying!! nobody cares.. Don't talk about it,, be about it!! No one here cares if you want to go buy an android tablet. I bought my first PlayBook on the first day it was released and I loved it ever since, then I bought my second one around Christmas when they went on sale.. Does basically everything I need it to.. AppWorlds New Arrival section has new apps everyday, yes some are complete trash but android market is full of a lot of garbage as well. The big names are starting to get on board, and eventually (not next month, but eventually) all "app stores" will be equal. Regardless if you don't like the apps that are there now go buy your android tablet. I'm so sick & tired of hearing people saying it. WE DON'T CARE if you get one or not. WE are NOT gonna beg you not to..

Everybody cares that there are so few apps - why do you think the playbook is doing so terrible?

**bitek** · 04-09-2012, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

For me Google maps did not work at all. Kindle worked for 2 days and then went (together with everything on the PlayBook) into a downwards spiral. No sideloading for me EVER again.

I have different experience.google maps work flawlessly. android player is not perfect but it is good nonetheless

Sent from my BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps using Tapatalk

**SDM7171** · 04-09-2012, 08:02 AM

So it's a downgrade because you won't be able to sideloads apps that, in your own words, barely work anyway?

That's it???

Troll

**sashlon** · 04-09-2012, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by SDM7171

So it's a downgrade because you won't be able to sideloads apps that, in your own words, barely work anyway?

That's it???

Troll

Ah ha, yep very adult of you there. Thanks for your contribution.

**cdelcampo216** · 04-09-2012, 08:37 AM

The next update should really include SKYPE, NETFLIX, AMAZON PRIME support, Google Chrome & Native stuff, like Words with Friends etc or I fear the PlayBook will be the next HP Touchpad...

**sashlon** · 04-09-2012, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by bitek

I have different experience.google maps work flawlessly. android player is not perfect but it is good nonetheless

Sent from my BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps using Tapatalk

I find its a mixed bag. Some work fine like Dolphin browser and Kindle. Others are pretty buggy and I deleted them. I have about 50 android apps and about 120 native apps.

The android player locking up is frustrating though. But it's pretty simple to reset.

F2 · 04-09-2012, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by bldshd

I have no enemies at all whatsoever especially in the crackberry forums... And I didn't realize that by every time someone gets a Lil frustrated or bored with their PlayBooks and they say they're just going to go get a android phone & tablet was building community spirit. I'm sure I'm not the only person who is tired of hearing " I'm just going to get a android tablet". If you wanted android apps, that's probably what you should have done to begin with. Like I said I'm perfectly happy with my PlayBook, and when I said some big names have already started to jump on board I meant companies like EA, Gameloft, Union, whoever makes cut the rope, and one I know I was waiting a long time for Rovio. It's just my opinion but to me I dont depend on my tablet to give me enjoyment 24/7, when I'm not using it for something productive its great to pick up, and mess around with in my free time, and for that I have no complaints. Of course it would be great if it had Skype and netflix, and hopefully they'll be added soon enough. In the meantime I still love my PlayBook and honestly wouldn't trade it for any other tablet out there. My PlayBook. Gets used by everyone in my house so I went & bought a second one. I believe the apps are coming, we just need be patient

But that is what some folks did. They purchased a pb which was initially offered as a platform that would run native qnx apps AND ANDROID apps. That took 9 months and then was a compromise. It may run some android apps but now only those that get rim's stamp of approval. Meanwhile, rim closed off the camera and the mic to android use. Now they close off access to the free android apps.

And folks should be concerned about folks heading to the exit. I agree we can't be besieged by some folks leaving but the more that leave, the fewer folks developers can sell to, the fewer that recommend the pb, the fewer pb seen in the field. With an already slim market for the pb, rim does not need folks dropping the platform, they need folks privately "selling" the platform.

Removing the ability to sideload is not absolutely terrible but it is just one more obstacle, one more deterrent, one more reason to find the pb less than useful.

**MountainProud** · 04-09-2012, 09:46 AM

So..I've read what they've announced, but I have questions about what they didn't.

Does anyone know what Android develops RIM is working with to get ports of their software setup in AppWorld? Zynga? Amazon?

Currently the only sideloaded apps I have is the Kindle and Words with Friends. Every other android app was purchased through the app store.

Words with Friends has some issues, but they are usually easily resolvable. Ditto for Kindle. Nothing earth shattering in both of these apps. While I'd love to see PB apps instead of ports, I'm fine with ports.