RIM Considering Allowing Android Apps To Run On The BlackBerry PlayBook

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We just heard that Research in Motion is tossing around the idea of allowing Android Apps to run on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

We know that RIM is working on a Java Virtual Machine that will allow legacy apps to run on the BlackBerry PlayBook, and, according to BGR, there is a good chance that RIM could use the Dalvik VM.   Yes, the very Davlick VM used in Android that would allow devices running QNX to run most apps developed for Android.

There are various approaches to this situation — one where RIM uses the open source Dalvik VM and does not involve Google, and another (incredible) scenario where RIM and Google might reach an agreement (basically “certify” the device/platform) that would provide official support to Android apps on RIM’s QNX-based OS, and would feature the Android Market, Google’s Gmail, Maps, and other apps.

On two occasions I’ve said that Research in Motion should build a device that runs Android.  Although the BlackBerry PlayBook won’t run Android, RIM giving it the ability to run Android applications, if they choose to do so, is about the next best thing.

  • Truthful Noble

    Maybe they are not dead in the water and as ass backwards as they seem to let on.

  • http://www.rimarkable.com Robb Dunewood

    This would be huge for RIM. Lack of Apps is a big knock for them right now, so, clearly gaining access to hundreds of thousands of them would remove that as a barrier.

    • Frank

      Well, they have the Amazon MP3 player for Blackberry already. So they could potentially just piggy back on Amazon’s new Android App Store thats being built right now. Yes, this could be huge.

  • http://www.humidorsandmore.com Humidor

    Wow, this would be a major coup. If RIM manages to pull this off they could be right back in the game on the consumer side.

  • penn

    do u guys see google as a bitch or a fool ???
    not gonna happen!!
    the faster google gets rid of RIM the better. google is doing everything it can to get into the enterprise market. do u think they will help RIM???

  • http://blackberrypin.org blackberrypin

    They are getting outclassed soon by android…that’s it…this year androids will be one of the most contenders for them…