RIM has been promising Android apps for its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet since before it was even released. But now, almost a year since its April debut, the pieces finally seem to be falling into place.
What's going on?
A Tuesday blog post on the Inside BlackBerry Developer's Blog has instructions for Android developers to bring their apps to the BlackBerry App World. Meanwhile, there's now a microsite on the BlackBerry homepage which gives a high-level overview to Android developers, of what tools they can use and how.
Which BlackBerry devices will get Android apps?
The BlackBerry PlayBook, "as well as the upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices," according to the blog post. The BlackBerry PlayBook will be able to run the Android apps once it gets the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software, but RIM hasn't announced plans to upgrade existing BlackBerry smartphones to BlackBerry 10.
No BlackBerry 10 devices are out yet, and there's no release date available, either.
Which Android apps are coming to the BlackBerry App World?
Only the ones that Android developers decide to bring to it. RIM has not contracted with any developers to port their apps to the BlackBerry PlayBook, so much as extended an invitation to any who are interested.
The process is somewhat technical, and requires Android app developers to convert and "package" their apps for the BlackBerry App World. Beyond that, they are also encouraged remove all references to Android and the Android Market from their apps.
The process is presumably easier than developing a new app from scratch, and Android developers who have had their sights set on the BlackBerry PlayBook or the upcoming BlackBerry 10 smartphones may have been waiting for this chance.
Given the PlayBook's embarrassing sales figures, however (RIM had to write off a $485 million loss in unsold PlayBook inventory), as well as Jamie Murai's open letter warning app developers away from the PlayBook, it remains to be seen if there is any significant interest in it.
One developer that almost definitely won't be seen on the PlayBook: Google, which so far has only put its apps on devices where the manufacturer has entered into an agreement with Google. Google's apps, like Gmail, are still available on the web, but the native Android versions won't be on the BlackBerry PlayBook (and neither will the Android Market).
When will all this be happening?
An exact release date for PlayBook OS 2.0 hasn't been given yet, but is rumored to be Feb. 17.
The BlackBerry blog post says that the update will be made available in February, and urges Android app developers to have their apps ready by Feb. 6.
Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008.
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