News & Rumors, PlayBook Apps

Handster submitted Android apps now appearing in BlackBerry App World for the BlackBerry PlayBook

by Bla1ze

on 14 Dec 2011 11:17 PM

It wasn't long ago that emails to developers let us know that Handster Inc. would be submitting Android apps to BlackBerry App World on developers behalf to help build up the Android app selection for when the Android Player for the BlackBerry PlayBook is made available in February.

In fact, these apps have been on RIM's internal builds of BlackBerry App World for quite some time for testing and it's no small amount either -- over 7,000 apps have been tested and now, RIM has let quite a few of them go live for everyone provided you're on PlayBook OS 2.0.

Android apps aren't exactly new to App World, RIM has allowed a few in the past but this is the first time we're starting to see the Handster apps turn up. A lot of folks in the forums have grabbed a couple and tested them out, have you?

Discuss more in the CrackBerry Forums

Filed Under: News & Rumors, PlayBook Apps; Tags: BlackBerry App World, BlackBerry Playbook, Handster

24 Comments

Posted by Abrante Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 162 days ago

Good stuff.

Posted by FIVEFIFTYWHAT Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

what about the little Lloyd the AnDroid guy icon next to AnDroid Apps in BB AppWorld that we heard about before??

Posted by 123berryaddicted Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 162 days ago

Great news. CB - could you keep a log or update of say... Significant apps that have been added (the ones many have cried for like kindle). I wanna know exactly when its worth it to make the switch to os2 beta - lol

Thanks cb!!

Posted by Deviant_Anchovy Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 162 days ago

Support you! I'll get my tablet soon and I also want to be sure whether update to beta or not.

Posted by CDM76 Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 162 days ago

Posted by csantoss Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

+1... Angry Birds, Plants vs Zombies, etc...

Posted by Olukunlea Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

IMHO if kindle is your thing, it has always been worth it to make the switch to OS2, i'm a reader too i use a couple of reading apps and nothing beats kindle. There are other great android apps i enjoy as well like pulse, all my news in one spot, really cool, not to talk about a host of fun and free games, with this new development, things are really looking good, i'd say go for it!!

Posted by 123berryaddicted Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

Yeah I tried making the switch a few weeks back, but found I didn't have the time to go getting the android apps loaded, my time is so limited right now with work, so the mere 30minutes I have before bed, I'd rather be reading (even if it is kobo) than tinkering with OS2. Now if I knew all I had to do was plug my playbook in for the update before work, then that night load appworld and download the desired app, this I would do.... Get where I'm coming from? :)

Posted by gramz007 Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 162 days ago

good news

Posted by Foppa_21 Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 162 days ago

Started grabbing mine. Sweet!

Posted by shuabert Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

Is there a good site or thread anywhere that gives simple to understand instructions on how to get the Android player running on the Playbook right now for people who don't have rooting experience? I've gotten as far as installing the developers beta 2.0, but everything I've seen as far as next steps looks really complicated.

Posted by 00stryder Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

You don't have to root your PlayBook to run the Android Player on OS 2 dev beta, it's already baked in the operating system. In addition, you don't need to root your PB to load Android apps to use on your tablet (through the Android Player); if you or someone else converts the .apk files to .bar, you can "side-load" them onto your PB using one of the tools made available (search forums for details).

The only thing (pertaining to your question) that you need to root your PB in order to achieve is to have the ability to run the Android Marketplace and have access to apps featured there. This is not what RIM intended with the Android Player or having support for Android apps on the PB, so that's why you need a rooted PB to do so.

Posted by Olukunlea Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

Hey just download these free apps and get cracking (no pun intended). To get other apps and install bar files you will need to do a bit of work, but these ones in appworld work off the bat!

Posted by patpatiar Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

you need to install a progam...i don't know the exact name, but it starts with a d.

then go to playbookbars.com - and download the bar - plug in your pb via usb, open the installed program, then transfer the bar file to your pb.

this only works in os 2.

then on your pb you need to go to setting --> security --> then enable developmental mode. (really easy to do)

once developmental mode is enabled and you have succesfully transferred your bar files...they will show up on your main screen and you can run them.

Posted by AfroLoGeek Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

Just to correct little things here.
1 - on your PC you install DDPB (OS 2 needed)
2 - on your playbook,you go on development mode,keep the IP address and password
3 - copy the bar file you want on playbookbars.com,donwload it onto you pc
4 - connect your playbook to your PC via usb
5 - open DDPB and put you playbook's IP and psswd;locate the bar file on the pc select it and click the install button.
Then you'll have the bar file working on your playbook,it's not just a simple copy of bar on the your playbook's disk space

my 0,02 cents

Posted by bbschorsch Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

so actually RIM just stores all the apps to release them together with 2.0?? am I right?

Does this mean that we can see a huge explosion of the appstore in february???

Posted by world traveler and former ceo Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

yes!

Posted by RiskyRiki Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

Hey guys a little help here please. I am a Nigerian and i stay in Nigeria. I fell in love with the Curve 9380 the moment i saw it and would like to purchase it. How do I get it? Thank...

PS
Our service providers here in Nigeria don't do plans as is done over there, instead we purchase a SIM and talk on a pay-as-you-go tariff. This means the phone would have to be unlocked in order to accept our SIM.

Posted by Olukunlea Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

RiskyRiki, wrong place to ask this question, kinda off topic, but since you be ma person, make i answer you.

Trust me that curve is already in Naija, you no say our boyz don't play. Call slot 08034620000, 08024785375, 016590220. If they don't have it then give them a couple of weeks, they will.

If you're desperate import it and you can always get a sim free one its available in the UK, but it will cost you a lot more, so i reckon you should wait, cos even if you get it from individuals in Naija it will be without warranty and you will pay a lot more.

Posted by bitek Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

I am so happy to own my playbook. The wait will be all worth it.

Posted by devon2000 Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 161 days ago

can someone just tell me when the netflix app is up and running, thats the number 1 app I want on my pb.