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BlackBerry PlayBook and QNX-OS to run Android Apps
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36 Comments

Newer reports again suggesting the BlackBerry PlayBook will run Android apps

By Bla1ze on 10 Feb 2011 06:40 pm
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Although the topic of Android apps being able to run on the Blackberry PlayBook (or QNX in general) isn't exactly new news, Bloomberg today posted some new details about what they have been hearing about the happenings at Research In Motion. According to the article, Research In Motion has allegedly changed their minds about using the Dalvik Virtual Machine on the Blackberry PlayBook based on the patent disputes happening between Oracle Corp. and Google. Instead, they are opting to take another path that will allow Android applications to run on the PlayBook. No mention of what other method they will be using at this time but a lot of companies have been creating virtualization platforms as of late, the latest being Myriad which has recently announced their Myriad Alien Dalvik. The Myriad Alien Dalvik allows Android apps to run seamlessly on other platforms and will be demoed at Mobile World Congress later this month using Nokia's MeeGo platform. That's not to say Myriad Alien Dalvik will be used but nothing is stopping Research In Motion from reaching out to any other virtualization partners to help out.

Source: Bloomberg

Topics: Android BlackBerry Playbook News & Rumors

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36 comments

DrewDT

Please let this be the case. There are so many electronic multimedia devices that allow for iPhone / Android apps to control them it is glaring to not see BlackBerry included in that mix.
My hope is if the PlayBook does this successfully, this functionality will migrate into future BlackBerry phones.

Technokrat

Why on Earth would I want to buy a tablet with:

-an odd man OS from the far end of the *NIX cosmos?
-battery consumption issues that are causing major headaches in the engineering cubicles at RIMM HQ in Waterloo, CAN?
-Email, Chat and other msg services unworkable without also hauling around a regular BB device?
-a measly 16gb memory?
-that's gonna launch late and after the iPad2 because RIMM will not resolve these issues in time?
-that needs to compensate for its dearth of apps by requiring a virtualize machine to run its competitors' apps?
-where that virtual machine will FURTHER consume CPU cycles and further eat already problematic battery time?

This is RIMM's white elephant and will be an accelerant in its downward market trajectory.

Oh.. and there's the other little issue of every Asian and Middle Eastern intelligence agency now being able to read my private communications. So much for my corporate and governmental secrets. WikiLeaks' dream devices.

Android will prevail. Apple will be second. Win7+Nokia 3rd.

See also: http://goo.gl/HB4Fg

XWolf

- erm, RIM have not given anyone access to your messages. You DO realise all forms of communication apart from BBM is monitored somewhere anyway, regardless of device.
- who is RIMM? Heard of Research In Motion but this other company you mention appear to have an extra M.
- battery issues... Unlike iPhones you can at least change the battery.
- all new os systems are generally "an odd man os from *NIX"; Android is Linux based for a start.

Take the hate somewhere else - jump to a new os and flame their boards about your issues with xyz device.

q649

"who is RIMM? Heard of Research In Motion but this other company you mention appear to have an extra M"

You're probably just joking but RIMM is the Nasdaq symbol.

Which was up a nice 5.21% yesterday thanks to an iOS
security spanking:

http://www.google.ca/finance?q=NASDAQ:RIMM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/researchers-steal-lost-iphone-passwor...

XWolf

Interesting! Thanks for the fact. At least someone here posts after doing research.

mckillio

I love all of your false facts.

So_Wut

This will be huge if it works. Awesome news if this is true.

bigpolla04

I honestly think this excellent news . Thousands have jumped ship to android and RIM wants them back.

Some people want to go back to blackberry but android has better apps, better this, better that . Put Qnx, better updated hardware and android apps on a bb. You have a sure winner.

I have said it before in a different post called

Qnx is the winner.

Iphone will go bye bye cos of lack of flash and its dicator Jobs.

Android not so quick cause of specs but blackberries get things DONE. You haven't the battery life in an android to do much lol.

Blackberry will be top dog again, just you wait n see.

Love what I do .

velkcro

and someone please tell me if there is a better tablet than the playbook and you better make sense in your explanation.

able to run app from two different OS

allow you to share your data plan ...no extra contract

and if you have a blackberry you can bbm on a larger screen

and the specs in this tab are coco!!

joeypasta

Take a look at the archos 7 and archos 10. Much better. Faster processor, 250 gb built in hard drive. Your choice of OS. Just to name a couple. Oh, and most importantly....price.
You don't need a BB phone to use non wifi surfing.

jjetson

LOL you're kidding right? Archos 7 has:

MAX 16GB flash
800x480 resolution
ANDROID™ 2.1

Says nothing about processor but it's not dual core I will guarantee you. And even if they one day put a dual core in it, Android 2.1 isn't made for dual core chips so it won't even Utilize it, and will be absolutely pointless except for walking around and saying theres a dual core chip in it.

Archos 10 has:

MAX 16GB flash
1024x600 pixels
Android 2.2

Again no processor info, but again Android DOES NOT utilize multi core until the newest is out. So AGAIN no dual core.

If this was a test you failed miserably. Neither of these tabs are even remotely close to the PlayBook. May I add neither have dual cams. Or 1080P playback.

Archos = Cheap CRAP! Always and Forever.

Edit: Found processor info for Anthros 10: 1ghz NO DUAL CORE! Time to study some more my son.

joeypasta

Go to www.archos.com Yes, it does have a 250 gb hard drive. You can also expand this with the sd memory slot.

Here is the link:
http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_70it/specs.html?country=us&lang=en

This one does not have the dual core. The next one which is going to be released soon will. Take a look throughout their site. They have a lot of offerings that are way cheaper than the playbook with more features, and do NOT need to have a BB to use 3G! You can get their tablets with Windows 7, Android or Linux. I know you can dual boot with Android and Linux. How long before RIM releases their next gen?
If RIM doesn't get android capability, then they are dead in the water. If they get this capability, then the playbook will be as secure as any android device.

joeypasta

Go to www.archos.com Yes, it does have a 250 gb hard drive. You can also expand this with the sd memory slot.

Here is the link:
http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_70it/specs.html?country=us&lang=en

This one does not have the dual core. The next one which is going to be released soon will. Take a look throughout their site. They have a lot of offerings that are way cheaper than the playbook with more features, and do NOT need to have a BB to use 3G! You can get their tablets with Windows 7, Android or Linux. I know you can dual boot with Android and Linux. How long before RIM releases their next gen?
If RIM doesn't get android capability, then they are dead in the water. If they get this capability, then the playbook will be as secure as any android device.

jjetson

Please for the love of god go do your research before you post anymore. You are just bleeding falsities in your posts. YOU DON'T NEED A BB TO HAVE AND USE A PLAYBOOK! So stop saying it. You are very ill informed on the whole topic of tablets.

Where are you getting this 250gb stuff from?

Mass storage memory
• Flash Memory: 2 to 8 GB*
• Extendable via micro SDHC Slot

Where does it say 250gb to you?

If it had a 250gb drive that would be a highlight and they would have put it in the specs sheet.

Finally NO ONE WANTS WINDOWS! It's big, bulky, bloated and INSECURE. And the versions of Android they put on their tablets aren't for tablets. Archos manufacture crap electronics plain and simple. They have a name in the industry for cheap knock-off crap.

Tobyus

http://www.amazon.com/Archos-70-Internet-Tablet-Black/dp/B00422XOEG/ref=...

This model has the 250gb hard drive.

jjetson

And thats the only thing it has that beats the PlayBook specwise. And it's still running Android 2.2. WHICH IS NOT A TABLET OS! Google has said so themselves. Archos is one of those idiot companies that went and shoved a SmartPhone OS on a tablet and expected it to work properly. And guess what IT DIDN'T!

Do not buy this Archos crap, You will be extremely disappointed. Their electronics are bargain bin from the components to the software. Stop pedaling these, they're so crap you can buy them in pharmacies.

Tobyus

I wouldn't buy a tablet of any kind personally no matter who makes it or what OS it is running, so no need to warn me. I'm just trying to help clear up some confusion. My supervisor has the Archos 101 (10 inch) version and I was actually impressed with it. It has full size USB ports, so you can hook up a 1TB portable USB drive if you like, and it works like a charm (she tested it). The touch screen was responsive, the device is very light (much lighter than an Ipad which has a smaller screen), and the media player that comes with the Archos tablet is better than the stock Android player by far from what I understand.

Also, the Archos tablets are priced more reasonably than most other tablets (unless you count the Nook color). Still, I wouldn't buy one (or a Playbook, or an Ipad) because I prefer to either use a smartphone or a full blown PC/laptop. I don't need an in-between device that isn't capable of doing anything that the other two can't.

jjetson

It's obvious you and pizza boy work for Archos based on how you're wasting your time typing up commercials for them and just show a general lack of knowledge for electronics. You understand that there are cords that convert mini to micro to regular usb right? and you can put them in new devices using new micro/mini usb technologies right? So your crap Archos products don't need to stay in the past with usb1.0 ports on them right? So they don't have to be so thick and ugly looking.

Tobyus

What is your problem? Do you just enjoy being a jerk? No, I do not work for Archos. I've never owned one either. I just gave my opinion based on the one I have seen/used. And what's the deal with you trying to spread misinformation about Archos products anyways? First you try to claim that they do not have a 250gb version, now you're trying to claim that their full size USB port is 1.0? Why don't you try doing a little research before you go shooting your mouth off.

Yes, there are adapters out there. I love having to remember where I put those things don't you?

narci

Angry birds!!!

Hahaha

Anyways..any issues with viruses/worms and all that bad stuff in android apps?

jjetson

The security problems are with the Operating System itself not the apps.

SharpieFiend

I'm really sick of people shouting "Angry Birds!" when it comes to the Playbook... Does anybody really think they're not busy coding a Playbook version right now?

Johgar

If this does come true for the playbook it will make it a serious contender in the tablet world. With out it the playbook will have a steep hill to climb.

jwmax

I'd rather RIM came out with software that would allow the people that program these apps to easily replicate them for Playbook and then have them approved. I've heard and read that Android apps are like the wild west you never really know what the apps are doing vis a vis your personal data.

joeypasta

They better get this capability if they plan on keeping us interested! $499.00! Are they kidding? for only 16gb memory? And it must be used with your BB phone? I'll stick with my dual-core/320gb/Hdmi/full Win7 OS netbook. My netbook does have a sim card slot, which I can take out of my BB and put into the netbook. I guess Android hardware will be able to run RIM software? This will be the only way to make monies from apps. There will not be enough Playbook sales to justify an extensive app. offering. Most business user will be restricted from adding apps. anyway.
Sorry RIM, maybe way more memory, way cheaper price and a faster processor and no having to be tied to a BB phone; then you might have something. Android compatibility will be your only saving grace.

breakmedown

You're kidding, right? The Galaxy Tab and the Xoom are both several hundred dollars more and for less.

Considering you get an OS built for dual core and a tablet from a company that strives for battery life, means that it's already outdone the tabs it's up against. Throw in actual security, BBM, and much reduced data usage and those tablets hardly stand a chance.

And only cheap and broke people would consider a tab as a replacement for their netbook, laptop, or computer. Doesn't matter what brand on what network. Those that would shouldn't be spending the money on it either. So saying it's worse than your laptop is a waste of your dexterity and not the point.

HTC_Droid_EvO

RIM needs it they blow chunks @JOEYPASTA right on dude...this little Tablet doesnt stand a chance

jjetson

That fact that you're agreeing with someone who obviously has absolutely no idea what they are talking about shows a lot. How are all those security updates for your Android? I've noticed 8 more security warnings from Google since you last posted here...Your phone probably got taken over and you were sulking.

joeypasta

Time will tell you that I know what I'm talking about.
Guess what? If the playbook is Android compatible, then it will have the same security vulnerability.
Do you really think there will be enough playbook sales at $500 to justify a good enough app. offering? Like I said earlier; business users will be restricted by their companies as to adding apps. That will further decrease sales even more.

The playbook is a nice device. It's just too expensive for what you get. Like I said before: a netbook is more functional and cheaper. I personally could only use one of these tablets as a toy (music, movies, light internet) The problem with RIM is that there are too many propriety restrictions. Just looking at Blackberry messenger for example: you can only communicate with other bb users. That's just lame to me. You just can't isolate.

jjetson

I'm done replying to you after this, I'm starting to get the feeling you're some high school student or something because everytime you post 90% of it is false and can be proven so. Being compatible with Android apps will not bring on the same security holes that Android OS has. Why you ask? Go look it up yourself, you need to do some learning cause you have no clue what you're saying. I'll give you a hint, RIM will not be running an Android image to use the apps, read about Java Byte Code and Java Virtual Machines.

pa7tip

It is probably best to just stop replying to him, thats a good decision. He is obviously either just saying stupid shit to get under your skin or he is an idiot. Are you familiar with the saying "Don't argue with an idiot,they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."

jwmax

You are still smarting from having to give up your BB phone. It's OK just buy the BB phones you pretend you like to hate but still show up here almost on a daily basis.

You made a mistake buying your HTC phone we all know it, it's OK to admit it.

sivan

It's hard to imagine a rumor that's more ridiculous. It makes no sense whatsoever.

q649

Well, if it doesn't make sense then there is no use trying to explain it to you. You've made your decision already and closed your mind to any new information.

mcptech

This is awesome! Now we can troll the Android forums constantly yelling BBRRRROOOIIIIDDDD! in every other post!

br14

This rumour does sound nuts, but it has been persistent and RIM hasn't denied it so maybe it's true.

Can't see the point personally. Apps for the BlackBerry are every bit as good as Android apps. There's not as many it's true, but BB apps tend to be more integrated with the device etc.

I suppose it means the device will have a lot more games options. So would be saleable to consumers who like game playing.

But the technical challenges to making this work make me wonder. Surely the apps would have to be downloadable from App World and therefore repackaged/recompiled for the Playbook at the very least.

Or is this just someone with an active imagination and no knowledge of app development believing that because the Playbook uses a POSIX OS, Android apps should run out of the box? They won't without a fair amount of work from RIM and its hard to see why they would go to the trouble.