Android

Video: “We’ll Also Support Android Apps” Says RIM Rep During BlackBerry PlayBook Demo At MWC

by Robb Dunewood on February 28, 2011 · 0 comments

There are a bunch of rumors floating around that the BlackBerry PlayBook may get native Android App support, and, although most believe that this will be the case (eventually) we’ve gotten no “official” confirmation from Research in Motion. That’s not to say, however, RIM has been completely tight lipped on the possibility.

Back at WES 2011 during a demonstration of the BlackBerry PlayBook, a Research in Motion representative was heard on tape saying, “We will also support Android apps“, around second 13 of the video below.

[Mobile Link]

We can’t call this stone cold confirmation from RIM, but, the RIM rep said it so matter of factly that it is hard to imagine that he misspoke as compared to actually letting the proverbial cat out the bag.

[Via Twitter]

BlackBerry PlayBook

Android, BlackBerry PlayBook, MWC 2011, Rumors, Video

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BlackBerry App World 2nd To Apple’s App Store In Global App Store Rankings

by Robb Dunewood on February 18, 2011 · 1 comment

When it comes to app stores for mobile devices, there is no question that Apple’s App Store brings in the most revenue, $1.782 billion dollars in 2010 with 87.2% market share. What you may find interesting, however, is who comes in second place.

Conventional wisdom would tell you Android Market would be in second place, seeing how Android is taking earth by storm when it comes to smartphones, seeing over 350,000 activations per day. RIM’s BlackBerry App World, however, holds claim to the number two spot, and, even as big a BlackBerry fan as I am, I thought to myself, “Seriously?”, when I first heard that stat.

BlackBerry App World currently sits only behind the App Store with $165 million in revenue and 7.7% market share in 2010. BlackBerry App World also grew 360.3% year over year compared to the App Store’s 139.9% growth. RIM is technically gaining on Apple, but, their share is so small in comparison that taking a few points here and there isn’t terribly difficult. Android Market was actually in 4th place over all with 4.7% total share, but, Androids growth was 861.5 % over the previous year. Android Market will catch and surpass RIM relatively quickly if all things remain equal.

[Via CNet]

BlackBerry News

Android, Android Market, App Store, Apple, BlackBerry App World, Google, RIM

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Will Android Devices With Enhanced Facebook Features Woo Diehard BBM Users?

by Robb Dunewood on February 15, 2011 · 1 comment

HTC has officially announced two new Android Handsets, equipped with enhanced Facebook integration including a dedicated context-aware Facebook button that allows photos and links to automatically be shared and lights up when such an option is available. Although HTC will never admit it, these new devices are essentially “Facebook phones“.

My question is will these new Facebook phones be able to woo even the most diehard BlackBerry Messenger user away from the BlackBerry and over to Android?

BlackBerry Messenger is King

BlackBerry Messenger is arguably the best and most loved mobile instant messaging client that any smartphone has ever seen. Over 35 million BlackBerry users use it, and, for many it is their primary means of communication. The most addicted BBMers will tell you that they will never switch away from the BlackBerry because the won’t leave BBM behind.

There are plenty of good cross platform IM clients out there that match BBM in features, but, what they lack is scale. None of these IM clients have the user base to displace, or, replace BBM. It is a chore to try to get all your contacts using the same third party IM client because everyone has their favorites, you have to sign up an account, and you have to remember to use it. Facebook, however doesn’t have any of these issues…

Facebook Chat will soon become a major means of mobile communication…

It is probably a pretty safe bet that almost everyone who really uses BBM a lot has a Facebook account. I’ve thought for a long time that if anything had a shot at taking on BlackBerry Messenger that it would be Facebook. Unlike with BBM, you still need to create an account on Facebook in order to use it, but, everyone already has a Facebook account.

There is no question that if HTC is releasing Facebook phones Android phones with enhanced Facebook features, Facebook Chat will soon become a major means of mobile communication and ultimately rival BlackBerry Messenger simply because of the sheer number of people that can potentially use it.

So to answer my initial question. “Will Android devices with enhanced Facebook features woo die hard BBM users?“ Maybe not this first go round with the HTC devices coming out later this year, but, with the levels of Facebook integration on mobile devices that you will see in the not to distant future, I think that it will be inevitable that they do…

Android

Android, BlackBerry Messenger, Facebook, Facebook Chat, Facebook Phones, HTC, Mobile Facebook Chat

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SMRpodcast #54: I Am One Of The Two

by Robb Dunewood on February 7, 2011 · 0 comments

Listen Now:
Hosts: Rod Simmons, Chris Ashley, Robb Dunewood

Recorded: February 6th, 2011
Published: February 7th, 2011
Duration: 1hr 26min 04sec

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Instructions to subscribing to podcasts

SHOW TOPICS

RIM’s market share trouble continues

Rod says a report has two out of three BlackBerry users are switching to the Verizon iPhone
Robb says he is one of the two

Verizon has a few things going on this week

Rod mentions that Verizon has broken its sales records with the iPhone
Rod also says that he is worried about Verizon throttling there heavy users
Chris says Verizon is doing this to protect their network
Robb is wondering how Verizon will count the 5 percent

We Talk about RIM needing to get the Playbook out sooner than later

Rod thinks that the new iPad could hurt the Playbook sales it it comes out first
Robb agrees
Chris thinks that people are not quite looking for “Tablets”
Arguments begin

Google announces the Android Web Market

Chris says they are copying Microsoft
Robb really likes the online aspect
Rod says Microsoft needs to stop tethering

Mentioned Links

None

PICKS OF THE WEEK

The Daily iPad (Only the free version ) Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)
Rim’s podcast app (Podcast app for BlackBerry ) Rod Simmons (SimpleMobileReview)
Chicks ‘n’ Vixens / Boston Acoustic HIS 275 (Phone 7 App / In Wall Speakers ) Chris Ashley (SimpleMobileReview)

Opening Song

Buy Watch Out Now by Beatnuts on Amazon Buy Watch Out Now by Beatnuts on iTunes

Podcast

Android, Apple, BlackBerry, Google, Microsoft, RIM, SMRPodcast, Suber Bowl Commercials, Windows Phone

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2 Out Of 3 Verizon BlackBerry Users Plan To Switch To The iPhone

by Robb Dunewood on February 5, 2011 · 27 comments

According to a survey from market research firm uSamp, 2 out of 3 Verizon BlackBerry users plan to switch to the Verizon iPhone. That is a whopping 66% of the over 700 respondents that took part in the survey. When we asked Verizon BlackBerry users if they were going to switch to the Verizon iPhone 4 when the device was made available (briefly) for pre-order, the overwhelming majority of those that left comments said that they were switching. This simply cannot be good for RIM…

As I’ve said before, I believe that many more people will say they are going to switch than those that actually will, but, even if you take this uSamp survey and the comments section on a BlackBerry blog with a grain of salt, RIM stands to lose a ridiculous number of BlackBerry users to churn…

I know that Verizon is just one carrier in one country, but, a significant number of all BlackBerry users are Verizon subscribers, and those numbers are in jeopardy. A lot of folks say that RIM is going down the path of Palm, but, RIM is still very strong overseas. So strong in fact that I think that a better analogy for RIM is that they are going down the path of Nokia. That, however is for another post…

I think that it is clear that, not only because of of iPhone 4, but, all the Verizon Android devices as well, it will be a tough year for RIM. Too many consumers in the U.S. think BlackBerry devices just aren’t as appealing as the higher end smartphones. Whether this is actually true or not (personally I believe that it is), the perception is there, not only on existing BlackBerry devices, but, those on the road map to come out later this year.

BlackBerry

2011 CDMA BlackBerry Roadmap, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Smartphones, Verizon

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SMRpodcast #53: All The Comforts Of Home, But, With A Seatbealt In Your Tail

by Robb Dunewood on January 31, 2011 · 0 comments

Listen Now
Hosts: Rod Simmons, Chris Ashley, Robb Dunewood

Recorded: January 30th, 2011
Published: January 31st, 2011
Duration: 1hr 32min 30sec

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Instructions to subscribing to podcasts [click to continue…]

Podcast

Android, Apple, BlackBerry, Google, Microsoft, RIM, SMRPodcast, WP7

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Poll: Should RIM Allow Android Apps To Run On The BlackBerry PlayBook?

by Robb Dunewood on January 27, 2011 · 12 comments

The blogosphere is buzzing right now with rumors that Research in Motion may allow Android Applications to run on the BlackBerry PlayBook and other QNX powered devices if they decide to use the Dalvik VM, the same Java Virtual Machine used in Android. We figured that this would be a good time to ask BlackBerry users what they think, so, we put up a poll…

BlackBerry

Android, BlackBerry PlayBook, Dalvik Virtual Machine, Dalvik VM, Poll, QNX, RIM

{ 12 comments }

RIM Considering Allowing Android Apps To Run On The BlackBerry PlayBook

by Robb Dunewood on January 26, 2011 · 6 comments

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.

BlackBerry PlayBook

Android, BlackBerry PlayBook, Dalvik Virtual Machine, Dalvik VM, Java Virtual Machine, QNX

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SMRpodcast #51 — BlackBerry Is About To Get Rolled

by Robb Dunewood on January 17, 2011 · 1 comment

Listen Now:
Hosts: Rod Simmons, Chris Ashley,Brent Harman, Robb Dunewood

Recorded: January 16th, 2011
Published: January 17th, 2011
Duration: 1hr 31min 31sec

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SHOW TOPICS

CES

We cover some of the announcement from CES
Rod talks about the Playbook as one of the best devices
Brent said he has no interest in the Motorola Atrix
Robb got an iPad

We discuss if the Verizon iPhone will impact Android sales

Robb says no
Brent says no
Chris says yes
Rod says yes
hard discussion begins

We discuss Google

Rod is wondering if anyone cares about Chrome OS
Chris says no
Robb isn’t sure where they will fit in
Brent makes the case on how Chrome OS will work

BlackBerry Playbook

Rod mentions that the Playbook is coming out on Sprint
Robb clarifies that they are getting the 4G device everyone else can get the WIFI

Why were there no Windows Phone 7 devices at CES

Chris says that the Mobile World Congress is more the venue for Microsoft and Phone 7
Argument ensues

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Nook Color (eReader) Brent Harman (SimpleMobileReview)
Wireless Tether for Root Users ( tethering app for Android) Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)
The Passage by Justin Cronin / Vlingo for BlackBerry (eBook / App) Rod Simmons (SimpleMobileReview)
momentum / Rise of Glory (BlackBerry Expense App / Windows Phone 7 Game) Chris Ashley (SimpleMobileReview)

Opening Song

Santa Clause Is Coming Town by Pleasure – Amazon

Podcast

Android, BlackBerry, CES 2011, SMRPodcast, Verizon iPhone, Windows Phone 7

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Android

Video: “We’ll Also Support Android Apps” Says RIM Rep During BlackBerry PlayBook Demo At MWC

BlackBerry App World 2nd To Apple’s App Store In Global App Store Rankings

Will Android Devices With Enhanced Facebook Features Woo Diehard BBM Users?

BlackBerry Messenger is King

SMRpodcast #54: I Am One Of The Two

SUBSCRIBE FOR AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS

SHOW TOPICS

Mentioned Links

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Opening Song

2 Out Of 3 Verizon BlackBerry Users Plan To Switch To The iPhone

SMRpodcast #53: All The Comforts Of Home, But, With A Seatbealt In Your Tail

SUBSCRIBE FOR AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS

Poll: Should RIM Allow Android Apps To Run On The BlackBerry PlayBook?

RIM Considering Allowing Android Apps To Run On The BlackBerry PlayBook

SMRpodcast #51 — BlackBerry Is About To Get Rolled

SUBSCRIBE FOR AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS

SHOW TOPICS

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Opening Song

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