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Topic: Hardware

RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

Summary: Research in Motion is reportedly pondering a scheme where BlackBerry and PlayBook devices would run Android apps. Is this brilliant or desperation?

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Research in Motion is reportedly pondering a scheme where BlackBerry and PlayBook devices would run Android apps. The Boy Genius report notes:

We have been told RIM is very much considering the Dalvik virtual machine, and we ultimately expect the company to choose Dalvik. If that sounds familiar to you, it’s because it’s the same VM that the Android OS uses, and it would allow RIM’s PlayBook and other QNX devices to run just about any application built for the Android platform.

In a nutshell, RIM would leverage the Android app market and developer ecosystem. For RIM, that Android solution beats building your own app ecosystem.

Also: Android apps on BlackBerry? Brilliant idea or white flag?

RIM's PlayBook: Is it an Android FrankenBerry?

It's a bit unclear how all this Android-RIM scheming will play out. Will Google certify apps in partnership with RIM? Will RIM use this Android app move as a prelude to use the open source operating system? Would all of this virtual machine mumbo jumbo be too complicated to deliver great performance?

And the biggest question: Is this Android app thing and RIM a smart move or sign of desperation?

One thing is clear: Let's give RIM props for pondering bold moves. Maybe RIM isn't an afterthought after all.

Related:

Topics: Hardware, Banking, Open Source, BlackBerry, Virtualization

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24 comments
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  • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

    sure, because pairing a blind and a deaf always works...
    kitko
    Reply Vote

    • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

      @kitko
      Steve Jobs just put your check in the mail!
      Droid101
      Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @Droid101 And your check from Google is on it's way.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

    • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

      @kitko

      No, but pairing security with spyware certainly does not.
      jorjitop
      Reply Vote

  • Really, a brilliant Idea. And, HP should do the same. The problem, is that

    RIM and HP will not get enough critical mass to attract developers any other way.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

  • Nice

    If you can't beat them, join them... Oh I remember my blackberry days, 2005 to 2007... then a magical device called iPhone changed the game. Like a moron I decided to buy all the ZDNET hype about Android and went it was the biggest mistake I ever made!!
    Hasam1991
    Reply Vote

    • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

      @Hasam1991
      Wow, Steve has his minions out in force today.
      Droid101
      Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @Droid101 What's the matter, get scared when someone doesn't like Android?
        athynz
        Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @Droid101

        Not everyone wants to be a Google minion.
        jorjitop
        Reply Vote

  • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

    While costing RIM in the face department, the synergy of RIM/Blackberry's enterprise penetration and the Android marketplace would make a persuasive product. RIM has been behind on the software side, and their consumer devices are somewhat lackluster (as a frustrated Storm owner who is defecting to Android tonight).

    Unfortunately, this would probably foreclose any change of WebOS growing...
    chipbeef
    Reply Vote

    • HP could run Android apps on WebOS too. That would foreclose any chance of

      WP7 growing!!
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @DonnieBoy
        I think there's more WEBOS's devices out there than windows lol
        Hasam1991
        Reply Vote

      • It is just that if all of the other manufacturers got on the Android App

        wagon, Microsoft would be isolated. Just HP joining in is not that significant.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @DonnieBoy I count WP7 as DOA so don't worry much about it.

        Can't see why Dalik wouldn't run on WebOS - would create a great bridge for WebOS until people start writing native apps for it, but could lead to the chicken and egg problem - no native apps because Android apps/market have inertia (you know, the years old anti-Wine arguement).
        chipbeef
        Reply Vote

    • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

      @chipbeef With my work phone I went from a Curve to a Storm and I'm seriously considering going back... if it was my first touch screen device I'd likely be more impressed but with my iPhone (personal phone) experience the Storm simply does not cut it.
      athynz
      Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @athynz The Torch is significantly better than the storm, IMHO
        rtk
        Reply Vote

      • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

        @athynz After an evening with the Droid Incredible, I am impressed! the virtual keyboard is leaps and bounds better than the BB, the calendar integration actually works, and the contact management seems to work!
        Haven't figured out ActiveSync with the corporate Exchange Server yet, but working on it.
        chipbeef
        Reply Vote

  • RE: RIM running Android apps? A nutty yet brilliant idea

    Now all we need is for HP(webOS), Nokia (Symbian, Meego) to get on board, and android may become the new "Write once, run everywhere". Apple and Microsoft may join too, eventually.
    d.marcu
    Reply Vote

    • The only fly in the ointment is Oracle and the lawsuits!!!

      NT
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

    • Never, never, never!

      @d.marcu

      No sensible person will use or promote Google spyware.
      jorjitop
      Reply Vote
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