It’s completely beyond the expectation of everyone that what really RIM wants to do? Just a day before yesterday, RIM’s VP of developers’ relation –Alec Saunder—stated that the company is going to remove the ability to sideload applications on its devices through its future updates of the PlayBook OS. Thereafter, it’s not possible for the RIM’s users to sideload any unauthorized or pirated application on their devices rather than BlackBerry App World. Like other folks, I am also not pleased with the company’s decision and the idea is disgraceful due to insufficient numbers of apps in the BlackBerry App World.
RIM’s VP of Developers Relations–Alec Saunders–said, “We’re removing sideloading for consumers. Piracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don’t want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android Market. Pretty sure we’ve got a solution for devs.”
Let’s find out the reason why the company has taken such decision? Android developers are presently embarrassed due to their applications’ piracy. Android applications installation are quite easy, one who has APK (for Android application) could seamlessly install or distribute the apps. RIM released its PlayBook OS 2.0 in February this year, which facilitates to convert APK file to BAR file (Application installer for PlayBook). Using this application, anyone can easily convert developers paid applications to the PlayBook supported ecosystem file. These unauthorized applications are often avail by user on other hosting site so that other can easily access the file. PlayBook OS 2.0 allows Tablet users to install and run Android applications.
Presently, unofficial version of Android apps are often used by users of the PlayBook device. These apps are being repackaged by other folks rather than Android developers and also being distributed outside the Android Market and BlackBerry App World. The main issues with this apps is that these are skipped from the official distribution channels, that’s why, the original developers are being deprived to make money income from these apps. Therefore, RIM is aggressively planning to bring software update for playbook to block the sideload applications on the PlayBook device, which implies that users could get apps only from BlackBerry App World.
Presently, RIM is trying to imitate the applications policy of Apple–which is stringent towards apps piracy for iPad, iPod, and iPad. On the contrary, Google has adopted a different approach, owners of Android devices are independent to install any apps from non-approved sources if they are willing so. At present, hundreds of thousands of applications are available to Android device through the Google Play Store. That’s why, Android devices are getting security and privacy risks.
RIM has cleared its stance, if the company denies from its decision, definitely, it will have to lose developers support. However, less numbers of user are more likely to work on BlackBerry platform, if the company loses developers numbers this time, definitely, it will have to pay more. On the other sides, RIM is still offering meager numbers of apps through its apps store, if it will debar the side loading of the applications on the PlayBook devices, then undoubtedly, it might create a worse environment for its BlackBerry 10 OS, which is expected to come later this year.
Undoubtedly, RIM’s decision to debar side loading of
unauthorized applications on PlayBook is somewhat embarrass the users’ experiences but it benefits more to developers. However, a vast numbers of developers are not yet willing to work on BlackBerry’s platform.