[gregorylkelly]

Exclusive: BlackBerry PlayBook and smartphones to run Android apps? | BGR | Boy Genius Report

As crazy as that sounds, we have been told by multiple trusted sources that RIM is seriously considering a feature that will allow BlackBerry devices to run Android apps. Here is what we know� Research In Motion has been trying to figure out the path it wants to take as far as how the existing Java environment will work on its upcoming QNX tablet and smartphones. The company has publicly stated that it is looking at getting a Java virtual machine running on the PlayBook � not so much for app development going forward, but for legacy support, custom apps corporations have deployed and don�t want to recreate, etc � but RIM hasn�t yet decided what kind of Java VM it will use. Hit the break for the rest!

[grncherry1]

Exclusive: BlackBerry PlayBook and smartphones to run Android apps? | BGR | Boy Genius Report

As crazy as that sounds, we have been told by multiple trusted sources that RIM is seriously considering a feature that will allow BlackBerry devices to run Android apps. Here is what we know� Research In Motion has been trying to figure out the path it wants to take as far as how the existing Java environment will work on its upcoming QNX tablet and smartphones. The company has publicly stated that it is looking at getting a Java virtual machine running on the PlayBook � not so much for app development going forward, but for legacy support, custom apps corporations have deployed and don�t want to recreate, etc � but RIM hasn�t yet decided what kind of Java VM it will use. Hit the break for the rest!

This is the only way RIM may get out of the pickle they have gotten themselves into. It would be a smart move on their part.

[gregorylkelly]

I'd love to see this happen. There are definitely a ton of apps on Android that I wish I wish I had on my BBs.

I wonder if they make a deal, something like....Android can have BBM and RIM can have the Android Market. IMO, that would be a pretty fair trade off and would really hurt Apple.

[Sirhill]

This is a very smart move not to mention that it would then kill all of the talk about "does the blackberry have apps". As long as they make a deal with google over this and just use the open software than they could make a serious push for a larger consumer base.

[howarmat]

I would laugh if this happens. Its great really for customers but just kinda looks silly

[cmsdock]

I was just going to post this and got beat to it. O well if this is true i will defiantly be going with the playbook now, and to think I was thinking about changing platforms.

[cmsdock]

I'd love to see this happen. There are definitely a ton of apps on Android that I wish I wish I had on my BBs.

I wonder if they make a deal, something like....Android can have BBM and RIM can have the Android Market. IMO, that would be a pretty fair trade off and would really hurt Apple.

I agree that this would gain an edge on apple. Pretty exciting news if this is true.

[grncherry1]

I was just going to post this and got beat to it. O well if this is true i will defiantly be going with the playbook now, and to think I was thinking about changing platforms.

If it had an sd card slot for expanded memory I would seriously consider it.

[gots2beme]

I would laugh if this happens. Its great really for customers but just kinda looks silly

why silly?

[dutchtender]

lol. they should have just used android. but I guess it wasn't invented in Canada.

[theruined]

I would laugh if this happens. Its great really for customers but just kinda looks silly

Hardly silly...this is what OS platforms should have been doing from the very beginning...why make developers make the same app for each OS? On that note, why should one app on one platform have functionality limited or altered on another just because the OS is restrictive or limiting in some way.

IMO this will be huge for not only RIM, but developers because it can potentially open them up to broader horizons, giving them the ability to consolidate their platforms to a more versatile plane, thus, creating the opportunity for more developers to jump on innovating in ways they never could have before for that particular platform...

Who knows...this could put RIMs rep back up where it belongs in terms of paving the way forward with innovative thinking

[iN8ter]

There's nothing huge about it.

The number of decent Android Apps in the Marketplace is ridiculously low. There's an article about Google's marketplace on Engadget because people aren't buying apps.

They need to push their own APIs and device capabilities to get developers to develop apps targetted at their devices, not run the crap from Android on top of it.

If people want to run Android Apps they can just buy an Android Tablet. Android supports Air and Flash just like the playbook. Most people won't even care to know the difference between QNX and Linux and with the specs these devices are running the performance differences won't be big at all.

I think a lot of Blackberry users haer "Android has 200k Apps" and think it's some sort of Garden of Eden. Get an Android device and look at the market.

At least half of those are duds, porn apps, habitual force closers, privacy violators. Half of the rest are games and overpriced crap, and maybe 1k of those apps are useful - though from what I've seen going through "All Apps" about 20 times that is a huge overstatement...

I am not going to buy a Playbook if RIM's plan is to bank on Android compatibility for apps on their device. That is destined to be a failure, IMO.

If you want to run the same App on Android and the playbook, a developer can choose AIR and they'll be more than fine... Both platforms have full support for that...

[Steve Rizla]

lol. they should have just used android. but I guess it wasn't invented in Canada.

Ok, you hate RIM and Canada. It's time to move on.

Would you find fault if Google modified Android so that it was able to run apps written for the other platforms?

[howarmat]

Its silly because google is your competition and this is joining them basically. Like i said its good really for customers. I just think i would look odd for someone to be running launcher pro or adwlauncher on their BB, scrolling thru homescreen just like on an android phone.

[TheScionicMan]

I wonder if they make a deal, something like....Android can have BBM and RIM can have the Android Market. IMO, that would be a pretty fair trade off and would really hurt Apple.

Why would they need to "make a deal" for apps that are openly sold on the internet?

[valorian]

Its silly because google is your competition and this is joining them basically.

How does that saying go?...."If you can't beat'em, join'em."

[lnichols]

lol. they should have just used android. but I guess it wasn't invented in Canada.

If you can acquire a more powerful, more robust OS (QNX) that is used in a lot of devices other than smartphones and Tablets (diversified base), that you can secure to the standards that Governments expect you to have based on past products, and still run Android apps on it, then why use Android? Why become just another Android phone maker when you can have a multitasking powerhouse, real time OS that can also run Android apps?

[howarmat]

How does that saying go?...."If you can't beat'em, join'em."

exactly, its not giving up per say but i still find it odd

[Kerms]

This makes me wonder if apps for the PlayBook aren't coming along too well or not as much developer interest.

Being able to run java and Android apps would be a huge benefit. I'm going to have to keep my eye out on this. If the 3G version supports exchange active sync and ports over android apps, has a JVM that would be killer.

I'd port some work applications I've done here over to it if I decided to go with the PB.

Not sure how Google would like that though. One less reason to buy an Android based tablet IMO.

[theruined]

Think more versatility and less "RIM will depend on this for apps"

For a company to rely on the success of another companies developer platform is ridiculous...yet, it is a smart move in the sense that they can feature a function that no tablet or phone currently has...

Standard trial and error in a progressive age will yield this kidn of risk because instead of debating about this possibility they can at least try and see if it gives them the result they want to achieve. If not then at least they can say their tried it...then it's O...K - fail at it, then try and reinvent it in some way - at least they're being proactive and trying something new...

Innovation comes with risk - and risk takers always take flak until they break through and then everyone wants a piece of the pie...who knows, this might be the pie 1-2 years down the road - I can see it bridging the gap between platforms...why not?

[valorian]

A question that comes to my mind is what will happen to App World? Will RIM be able to sell Android apps if RIM partners with Google? If not I see App World going under as people will gravitate twards Android Apps.

[Rickroller]

If people want to run Android Apps they can just buy an Android Tablet. I am not going to buy a Playbook if RIM's plan is to bank on Android compatibility for apps on their device. That is destined to be a failure, IMO.
...

But why buy an Android Tablet when you could buy the Playbook and get both worlds? Other than UI feel..this would help RIM to capture the market of those thinking of buying an Android tablet because of better App support. And whether you find the App Market to be a failure of quality apps (which is the case for ANY platform) doesn't mean somebody can't or won't find at least a few useful apps for THEM that make them absolutely love it.

[Steve Rizla]

Its silly because google is your competition and this is joining them basically. Like i said its good really for customers. I just think i would look odd for someone to be running launcher pro or adwlauncher on their BB, scrolling thru homescreen just like on an android phone.

This is no different than Microsoft creating a version of Office that runs on a Mac or Google creating the Chrome browser for Windows.

Yes, this could reduce the amount of sales in AppWorld but RIM doesn't really create a bunch of apps and sell them in AppWorld anyway. They would only be losing the "commission" that they make on AppWorld sales.

[Kerms]

There's nothing huge about it.

The number of decent Android Apps in the Marketplace is ridiculously low.

I will have to agree the pickings are slim IMO.

I was looking through the Market the other day trying to research apps that I would like if I decide to go with an Android based tablet and was sort of disappointed.

I will say it's huge for the PB because it would give you access to more apps out the gate, if those are quality apps is another debate.

[theruined]

Analysts already predict sales of the PB to shadow those of the iPad during it's first year...this may push that number higher...it might not - time will tell yet again