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RIM to add software to PlayBook tablet which will allow for Android apps

According to Bloomberg, RIM is prepared to launch software that will let their upcoming PlayBook tablet run Android apps.

The software will integrated into the new QNX operating system, giving PlayBook owners a chance to download and use the 150,000 apps in the Android Market on their tablet.



Sources say the software will not be ready at the PlayBook's launch (allegedly end of March) but will be ready in the Q3.

Price has not been confirmed but has been "leaked" as $500 for a base model, in line with the Apple iPad and $300 cheaper than the newly launched Motorola Xoom.

RIM's PlayBook will have a 7-inch LCD screen with 1024x600 resolution, a dual-core 1GHz processor, a 5MP standard camera and a 3MP front-facing camera.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Feb 2011 16:35

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• 5 comments

• biglo30

  And hopefully the BBM will be ported over to android devices.
  

  11.2.2011 19:06 #1

• KillerBug

  Too bad you will be dealing with a screen aspect ratio different than any android, and a processor that can't touch any android phone made in the last year, let alone the tablets.
  
  RIM should try to make an android device sometime; not just the android, but the hardware...it seems like they SHOULD be able to make a quality device with technology that is less than 12 months old...it is just that I have not seen them do this for about 8 years.

  11.2.2011 21:38 #2

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Too bad you will be dealing with a screen aspect ratio different than any android, and a processor that can't touch any android phone made in the last year, let alone the tablets.
  
  RIM should try to make an android device sometime; not just the android, but the hardware...it seems like they SHOULD be able to make a quality device with technology that is less than 12 months old...it is just that I have not seen them do this for about 8 years. The PlayBook has a dual-core at 1GHz...
  

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  12.2.2011 00:58 #3

• KillerBug

  My mistake; I knew it was a 1GHZ, but I seem to have missed the dual core part. I guess it is better than most phones...not as good as most of the tablets it is competing against, but better than any phone yet available.
  
  I actually feel compelled to give them a bit of credit...I know that Adobe did 99% of the work of bringing flash to the PlayBook...but I still have to give RIM credit for not blocking it like Apple did...now they add Android app support, that really is a nice feature assuming they work correctly (I am assuming there will be black bars like letterboxing). Actually, if it had 3G support, I might even be interested in the thing...too bad it is "4G" only...and I am not even sure what flavor of "4G" it supports; their tech specs page is one page long and that includes 3 pictures.
  

  12.2.2011 07:29 #4

• blueboy09

  Android and Blackberry? Who would've thought this day would come? Hell of a combination if you ask me.
  

  Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

  12.2.2011 13:06 #5