BlackBerry and PlayBook mya get Android app extra

An unusual but reportedly multi-sourced rumor has suggested that RIM might graft Android app compatibility on to its BlackBerry phones and the BlackBerry PlayBook. While officially planning to put a Java virtual machine on the PlayBook, it's believed by BGR to be "very much considering" Google's Dalvik engine from Android 2.2 and later as the basis. The trick could let it run at least some Android apps run and lure customers away who would otherwise have used a pure Android tablet.

How it would go about using the engine isn't certain and could affect how well any apps were supported. If it used the seldom updated open branch of Dalvik, it wouldn't have to get permission from Google but could risk being made obsolete until Google's next public code update. A basic partnership with Google could give it more official updates and give a blessing to running official Android apps. The latter isn't as likely since it would amount to reducing the incentive to buy an Android tablet.

The claim if real wouldn't necessarily come to fruition. RIM could settle on a different Java engine and may be concerned about how Dalvik would support earlier Java-based BlackBerry apps. Google's patent dispute with Oracle could be a larger still setback and may keep RIM away to avoid any lawsuits.

A willingness to implement an almost completely new mobile OS in the PlayBook and get into areas RIM has previously avoided, such as gaming and a touch-only interface, could still give RIM enough incentive to want Android support. While a major contender, the PlayBook faces a lack of native apps compared to either the iPad or Android tablets and could use the extra content to attract buyers.

By Electronista Staff