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The guys over at Macberry were able to get their hands on the new BBX 2.0 developer beta for the BlackBerry Playbook. Besides the more of the same QNX UI we’re used to seeing on the tablet, we get another glimpse at Android apps running smooth as butter on the device. In the video you can see a folder marked “Android Apps” and inside we find Gmail, IMDb, Amazon Kindle, Google Places and a few others. The apps seem to work great with only one force close rearing its head (something we’re used to with Android) and everything opened up nice and quick.
Call me crazy but I’ve always had a soft spot for the BlackBerry Playbook. I’ve always felt like it was a solid device with great hardware and the OS seemed intuitive as well (love those gestures). Last we heard from RIM, Android app support was pushed back until the end of this year but now that it is in developer hands, hopefully it wont be too much longer before the Android apps are running rampant. The future is still very much uncertain for the Playbook, if the introduction of Android apps doesn’t help it pick up steam — there’s always a fire sale.
Nice little tablet it is…if it comes lower in price I might buy one.Who knows…
Yup! I believe it’s around $300 now. Once it hits $200 and has the Android app compatibility — I’ll be all over it =)
I’m in the same boat as you chris…I always sorta admired the Playbook and may pick one up at some point now that Android Tablets and Phones are going to have pretty much more of the same experience on them.
If it goes lower than $300, that would be of course a better deal, but at the sale price of $300 I personally think it’s a killer deal and if I’m recalling correctly, that price was brought on because of BlackBerry’s dev-con.
Anyways, my PlayBook is my favorite tablet and the one I take everywhere. Technically my ASUS Transformer is the best tablet I own, as it does everything I wants now, I just prefer how the PlayBook handles navigation with its bezel gestures and its size is just right to always have on hand. I call it my companion device.
Gmail? … blackberry android app? O_o
Did they get Google to sign off on this in some way then?
or did Google release there app for blackberry android as well? since last i heard it had to be resigned or some shit. Or will all android apps now work?
Or did they just jack it for testing purposes, and wont be released in final stages?
My eyes burn from the ignorance…
This Playbook is awesome and 300$ is a normal price. There i can run android apps on it :)
BBX is DOA if the only way it can move devices is to reduce price and run Android apps. Can you say “commodity”?
If you hate on the Playbook, you aren’t a fan of technology. You’re just a lame fanboy. Apple, Android or otherwise. I own nothing but Android phones and tablets, but I love using the Playbook. It’s such a great device. I was so tempted to buy one at $300, but I own a Flyer so it seemed extremely redundant.