Research in Motion Stops Android Sideloading
April 24, 2012
Research in Motion will restrict its users from sideloading Android apps onto its Blackberry PlayBook tablet, so says Alec Saunders, the VP of developer relations. TechNewsWorld reported on the story in “RIM Fishes PlayBook Out of Google’s ‘Chaotic Cesspool.’” The PlayBook’s sales figures have been extremely low and RIM tried to save the tablet with Android apps. RIM allowed Android developers to repackage their apps for the Playbook as along as they removed the name “Android” and all links to the Google Android marker.
For a time it worked, but the VP developed a different opinion:
“Saunders later referred to Google’s (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android Market, which was recently made part of the Google Play store, as a ‘chaotic cesspool.’”
Even though RIM had Android app developers remove all that information from apps sold for the PlayBook, they still allowed sideloading and compatibility with the Android. The agreement went sour with Android security, malware, pirated apps, and low quality apps. Developers loved the agreement, because they got more money, but when users downloaded the apps from unofficial Android stores it cut into the PlayBook’s profits. RIM is pulling out to keep their app market cleaner and so they can keep growing in the app market. RIM has been in the news a lot lately with a stabbing at RIM party and when an executive’s behavior on a plane soured a flight. They’re doing poorly all over the board and now RIM is wiping up the bloodstains. What will happen next? Maybe RIM will go away? We think Google will remember the “cesspool” comment, however.
Whitney Grace, April 23, 2012
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