[clavecinist]

I will echo what many others have said -- after trying the apps on my non-BB device, and then handling a Priv in-store I ordered a Priv for myself. In my opinion the standard BB apps are pretty compelling, so either timed trials, or paid options would be a great way to lure new customers.

[DonHB]

CDD is not the only hurdle with compliance. Moto for example almost got its license yanked over a device that used a different GPS implementation because it cut out Google, passing what was the CDD and technical tests at the time and the device was already announced.

I am not suggesting that GMS should not conform to Google's requirements or would continue to work when BB10 UX is exposed. Perhaps an Android app would only have access to GMS if it was run from an Android launcher and is not reduced to an Active Frame.

Point me to another Android device that is certified and doesn't have an Android kernel.

Point me to a company that has as much a reason to do so as BlackBerry? That something hasn't been done does not mean it is not possible.

This relates to my suggestion that the discussion should be about why BBRY should invest in the R&D. Since, I don't see the availability of apps off the Play Store, as part of this discussion, it would be useful to know if developers would invest in having their Android apps/assets run on non-Google encumbered "Android" devices and if they are willing to help grow such a market. With Android's share in the market in the ballpark of what Microsoft had when it was being scrutinized by the DOJ, Alphabet may reconsider sanctioning developers which support non-Google "Android" platforms.

Finally, I am always struck by the nay sayers here who aren't interested in looking into possibilities.

[Ment]

I am not suggesting that GMS should not conform to Google's requirements or would continue to work when BB10 UX is exposed. Perhaps an Android app would only have access to GMS if it was run from an Android launcher and is not reduced to an Active Frame.
Point me to a company that has as much a reason to do so as BlackBerry? That something hasn't been done does not mean it is not possible.

This relates to my suggestion that the discussion should be about why BBRY should invest in the R&D. Since, I don't see the availability of apps off the Play Store, as part of this discussion, it would be useful to know if developers would invest in having their Android apps/assets run on non-Google encumbered "Android" devices and if they are willing to help grow such a market. With Android's share in the market in the ballpark of what Microsoft had when it was being scrutinized by the DOJ, Alphabet may reconsider sanctioning developers which support non-Google "Android" platforms.

Finally, I am always struck by the nay sayers here who aren't interested in looking into possibilities.

You are looking at it from a technical perspective. The business and legal perspective says at this point it makes no sense to devote resources to overcoming the roadblocks when the big one, Google, operates with its own interests or as Moto said during the Skyhook saga "Android devices are approved essentially at Google's discretion".

Three-four years down the road, entire generations in the smartphone sphere, this may change with the EU and other entities forcing Google to change its practices but what about now?

So the topic should turn to how you convince Google thats its in its own interest to approve this venture absent the force of government. Devs aren't hankering to support yet another app store thats for sure.

[gruv4u]

Absolutely not!

 Z10 STL 100-3 with vitamin (SR) 10.3.2.2836 (OS version 10.3.2.2876) on AT&T

[DonHB]

You are looking at it from a technical perspective. The business and legal perspective says at this point it makes no sense to devote resources to overcoming the roadblocks when the big one, Google, operates with its own interests or as Moto said during the Skyhook saga "Android devices are approved essentially at Google's discretion".

Since I don't know the licensing terms BBRY has With Google, the underlying terms the company has with its partners or suppliers nor the discussions they are having with their customers, I can only discuss technical possibilities which could be worth the investment. You can speak with business and legal perspective having access to this information?

Devs aren't hankering to support yet another app store thats for sure.

If you could suggest why, you would be adding to the discussion instead of repeating what I said above regarding the lack of an alternative market for non-Google "Android" app stores.

[Ment]

Since I don't know the licensing terms BBRY has With Google, the underlying terms the company has with its partners or suppliers nor the discussions they are having with their customers, I can only discuss technical possibilities which could be worth the investment. You can speak with business and legal perspective having access to this information? If you could suggest why, you would be adding to the discussion instead of repeating what I said above regarding the lack of an alternative market for non-Google "Android" app stores.

We are both dealing in speculation based on history. I don't have access to the BB Google MADA and you don't know what showstoppers might arise in implementing your vision of BB10 Android. There is no business interest for Google to give BB special agreements that it won't extend to its other more senior partners and we've seen via documents submitted in legal wrangling that its past agreements with its licensees gives all power to Google.

The main issue with alternate app stores is access and user numbers balanced by cost. China has huge user numbers and Google has until recently wrote off China due to the government intervention into its business practices. Because of Google's absence a few commercially viable app stores have sprung up. Baidu, Tencent, Xiaomi and then a host of other stores that may or may not host pirated content.

In countries where Google competes, the user base for alternate app store is low due to the appeal of Google products and the exclusive agreements to get them, ie Google won't allow Amazon app store into the devices it licenses thus people have to side-load. Outside of that, supporting an alternate app store takes on another cost center as they have to be modified to use an alternate notification system than GCM, separate testing mechanism and user support. All for something that at best is a poor copy of the Playstore.

If you're a dev why not use those man-hours into improving your existing Playstore app and engaging the users there. In fact that is what is happening to Amazon. Despite millions of potential users, many devs choose not to support Amazon and many that do don't update their apps there frequently decreasing user appeal.

[okanagan]

Don't You think we should be happy if other still think about BlackBerry apps and encourage them keep using to have an expand users base and eventually the switch to BlackBerry? Or you want all BlackBerry Apps just follow the footsteps of BBM?


Posted via CB10

[EchuOkan1]

Why would you want to d ok that? People are not that interested in BlackBerry at this point regardless of what people write about it. Additionally, carriers that have it in stock do not have their sales force push it nor they have an idea as to how it is or how it operates. Therefore, how can people experience the apps especially if they do not want to take the chance and buy one?

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

[DonHB]

We are both dealing in speculation based on history. I don't have access to the BB Google MADA and you don't know what showstoppers might arise in implementing your vision of BB10 Android. There is no business interest for Google to give BB special agreements that it won't extend to its other more senior partners and we've seen via documents submitted in legal wrangling that its past agreements with its licensees gives all power to Google.

The main issue with alternate app stores is access and user numbers balanced by cost. China has huge user numbers and Google has until recently wrote off China due to the government intervention into its business practices. Because of Google's absence a few commercially viable app stores have sprung up. Baidu, Tencent, Xiaomi and then a host of other stores that may or may not host pirated content.

In countries where Google competes, the user base for alternate app store is low due to the appeal of Google products and the exclusive agreements to get them, ie Google won't allow Amazon app store into the devices it licenses thus people have to side-load. Outside of that, supporting an alternate app store takes on another cost center as they have to be modified to use an alternate notification system than GCM, separate testing mechanism and user support. All for something that at best is a poor copy of the Playstore.

What you have said suggests that the antitrust issues facing Alphabet in Europe may follow them to the US.

If you're a dev why not use those man-hours into improving your existing Playstore app and engaging the users there. In fact that is what is happening to Amazon. Despite millions of potential users, many devs choose not to support Amazon and many that do don't update their apps there frequently decreasing user appeal.

You have provided business assumptions while I have provided technical possibilities.

As far as Amazon's app store, I will provide a business assumption that Amazon wants to sell its services more than apps. That the sale of apps provide only a minimal additional incentive to buy their devices--a platform specifically created to deliver their services.

Perhaps, because apps are not a priority for Amazon, developers have gone elsewhere? I would suggest the priority with regards to apps for other vendors (e.g. BBRY, Jolla, Silent Circle, etc.) would be different and the marketplace(s) serving these companies' customers could be more vital.

.02

[Ment]

What you have said suggests that the antitrust issues facing Alphabet in Europe may follow them to the US.

That may occur but the ultimate resolution of it will happen long after BB has made its own business decisions. For example Google has been fighting the EU over search for several years and its still under appeal.

As far as Amazon's app store, I will provide a business assumption that Amazon wants to sell its services more than apps. That the sale of apps provide only a minimal additional incentive to buy their devices--a platform specifically created to deliver their services.

Perhaps, because apps are not a priority for Amazon, developers have gone elsewhere? I would suggest the priority with regards to apps for other vendors (e.g. BBRY, Jolla, Silent Circle, etc.) would be different and the marketplace(s) serving these companies' customers could be more vital.

.02

Amazon had put quite alot of effort and money into its app store with its 'Free App of the Day' program where normal paid apps were offered as promotions, several examples of which were highlighted here in CB when the app store was launched for BB. It just wasn't successful outside of its captive audience of its own devices. They have now pivoted to Amazon Underground where Amazon pays devs on a per use or time spent per app basis. That launched fall of last year but I've not seen much media coverage after its announcement so its probably not a hit either.

[darkwater79]

Yeah generally I would say no. They have them free now they should not change that.

[Bbnivende]

Something tells me that the number of Android users downloading the Cobalt solution is fairly small. If it was otherwise, I think that BlackBerry would ask him to stop.

Posted via CB10

[mcne2001]

Since BlackBerry is a software company they should not....

Posted via BlackBerry Priv or Passport SE

[KratosJones]

I think they should charge at the very least. It's not the same as BB10 using Google store

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

[Pinot2015]

I think they should charge at the very least. It's not the same as BB10 using Google store

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

Exactly, this is Android versus Android. Not BB10 versus Android. Huge difference. Now Priv is competitive with other Android hardware vendors. BB10 devices are not in direct competition with any Android device. That will sadly continue to be the case as long as Google Play Services is not offered legally (or normal way) on BB10 devices.
They both have different target markets.

Posted via my Priv

[Snooze_Ann]

I'm sure it has already been said somewhere in this unnecessarily long thread, but the APKs are already out so unless BlackBerry invents some new software that is useful (doubt it), you are left kicking a dead horse. I can't imagine BlackBerry adding any mind-blowing features via update, they seem incapable

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

[DonHB]

Amazon had put quite alot of effort and money into its app store with its 'Free App of the Day' program where normal paid apps were offered as promotions, several examples of which were highlighted here in CB when the app store was launched for BB. It just wasn't successful outside of its captive audience of its own devices. They have now pivoted to Amazon Underground where Amazon pays devs on a per use or time spent per app basis. That launched fall of last year but I've not seen much media coverage after its announcement so its probably not a hit either.

Did you find Amazon's costs in a quarterly report? I am inclined to think that the introduction of per use reimbursement of developers was intended to reduce the number of "useless" apps submitted to their store.

Perhaps, someone else may suggest why Android developers haven't looked for alternatives to the Play Store?

[Bbnivende]

I'm sure it has already been said somewhere in this unnecessarily long thread, but the APKs are already out so unless BlackBerry invents some new software that is useful (doubt it), you are left kicking a dead horse. I can't imagine BlackBerry adding any mind-blowing features via update, they seem incapable

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android

They are not "out" . 100 percent Enterprise and 99 percent of consumers will not be adding a Cobalt solution to their Android devices.

[Bluenoser63]

What about the missing EMM support, Microsoft Office 365, specialised medical apps, enterprise collaboration tools, advanced vpn apps, NAS apps, banking apps, better browsers that sync with desktops, webdav and ftp file manager, etc, etc, etc, etc.

I have all the tools I need with my BB10/Z30 to do my work. Thanks

[werkregen]

I don't see how locking them down would benefit BlackBerry. People won't buy a $700 Android just to check out BB's apps, especially since PRIV's hardware specs aren't superior to other flagship droids. If people get a chance to check out BB apps on their current phones and like the experience, they might consider buying a BB android.

[filanto]

I don't see how locking them down would benefit BlackBerry. People won't buy a $700 Android just to check out BB's apps, especially since PRIV's hardware specs aren't superior to other flagship droids. If people get a chance to check out BB apps on their current phones and like the experience, they might consider buying a BB android.

I agree, they need to monetize the apps while using them as an advertisement for their other products

Posted via CB10

[werkregen]

I agree, they need to monetize the apps while using them as an advertisement for their other products

Posted via CB10

IMO, the apps don't work well enough for people to spend money on them, yet. Also, there are many good calendar, keyboard, etc, apps that BB has to compete with, so people have little incentive to spend money for new apps (I'm talking about the average consumer, not BB users).

If I were an android user and bought the Hub app as it is now, I wouldn't buy anything else from BB. They should polish the apps, create some more (i.e. file explorer) and give them for free, so that people understand their value. This could lead to increased hardware sales and/or they can monetise at a later time by packaging all the apps in a productivity suite. ATM, the apps have more value as an advertisment than selling them.

[Bbnivende]

It has not been proven that the BlackBerry apps will work with all Android phones. At the very least the phone would require Marshmallow. If BlackBerry released their APK's there would be little need to release an all touch phone.

Posted via CB10

[jlinc]

I would say they are fair game but I would like to see BlackBerry charge them for the apps. Maybe 0.99 just to generate a little money. Heck, even make them 0.49 cents.

Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android