BlackBerry 10.2 SDK brings Android 4.2 app support
BlackBerry is really taking this cross-platform thing quite seriously, as we hear that OS10.2, which is in the works, will bring the ability to side-load android apps on your BB device.
The BlackBerry 10.2 Software Development Kit (SDK) is already in beta and apparently, it will bring a feature to the platform that might just save the sinking boat that it has become. The update will bring to the platform the ability to side-load Android 4.2 Jelly Bean apps on the BlackBerry.
The company took to their blog to explain the update, stating that ‘Adobe AIR 3.5 brings with it Stage3D for accelerated OpenGL graphics and the Android run-time upgrade brings it up to Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) compatibility. As with any beta, this is a work in progress as we work our way towards the gold release of the BlackBerry 10.2 SDK.’
Blackberry had stated earlier that their BB10 OS would be able to run Android apps designed for Gingerbread (Android v. 2.3) only, which did limit the scope of usability of this feature since most Android apps have since then been updated for Jelly Bean. The new 10.2 SDK will update this feature in the next version of the BlackBerry 10 software, version 10.2, meaning users will then be able to side-load apps for Android 4.2 and below.
While this is excellent news not just for the platform, but for users as well, we currently have no word on when the update will actually roll out to the masses. However, when it does roll out, we will definitely let you know.
Source: BlackBerry