BlackBerry phones could get Android app compatibility in 2012

Could the Blackberry soon follow the PlayBook’s lead and gain the ability to run Android apps?

That’s the story according to Bloomberg, which says that RIM’s QNX phones could be seeing the functionality as soon as early 2012. The report says that the move is a result of RIM’s desire to boost the sagging sales of its phones. With the the Android Market currently boasting over 250,000 apps, the move would be a smart one if RIM is serious about increasing the appeal of its phones.

Of course, the move is also an admittance on RIM’s part that the PlayBook’s ecosystem doesn’t exactly fill the current demand for extensive app offerings. So let’s hope RIM fills out its own app selection as well.

[Bloomberg]

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Acer adds 7" Iconia Tab A100 to tablet lineup, $330

In the same week that we find out HP’s 7-inch tablet TouchPad Go is almost launch-ready, Acer announces its own 7-inch Iconia Tab A100, which is available exclusively from Walmart starting today.

Besides sharing the same display size as the likes of RIM PlayBook and HTC Flyer, the A100 is subtly different from its competitors. For one thing, it’s the first North American slate to run Android Honeycomb 3.2, which is geared for 7-inch screens, so it should provide a better user experience than the smartphone OS (Android 2.4 Gingerbread ) that shipped with the HTC Flyer.

Touted as a mobile entertainment device, the mini Iconia Tab comes pre-loaded with Adobe Flash 10.3, Acer LumiRead, Google Books eReading apps, as well as Acer’s media sharing platform clear.fi that links up all DLNA-compliant devices so users can access their files wirelessly.

Other technical specs of the A100 include:

• Display: 7-inch TFT WSVGA, 1024×600 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio with 75-degree wide viewing angle
• CPU: NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core
• GPU: Ultra Low Power GeForce
• RAM: 1 GB
• Cameras: 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with flash and can record HD 720p videos in camcorder mode; 2-megapixel front camera
• Ports/Connectors: 1 HDMI port, 1 microUSB port, and a Micro-SD card reader
• Connectivity: Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, Bluetooth
• Battery: 1530 mAh Li-polymer battery for up to five hours
• Dimensions: 0.5-inch thick
• Weight: 0.92 pounds

The A100 is priced very competitively, starting at just $330 for the 8 GB, Wi-Fi only model. Because the slate has a built-in a Micro-SD card slot, it can get away with providing less internal storage space to keep its price tag relatively low. (The 16 GB, Wi-Fi-only PlayBook, by contrast, is retailing for $499 at Best Buy — I’m pretty sure an 8 GB Micro-SD card does not cost $170.) For those looking for more on-board storage capacity, the 16 GB A100 will set you back $350.

While I can understand the appeal of the 7-inch form factor from tech companies’ point of view: many already have a 10-inch tablet in their lineup, so shrinking the design by a couple of inches allows them to offer a similar product at a more budget-friendly price point. But are consumers interested in tablets at this size? Wouldn’t 7-inch slates be competing with e-readers like the Nook Color?

What do you think? Is a 7-inch tablet with a lower price tag like the A100 more enticing than a larger 10-inch slate that costs a bit more money?

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Strong Your Android Phone with Free Android Apps

Want to turn your Android phone into a stronger and more helpful device? Free Android Apps can help you. I will offer you a list of the most popular free android apps run the whole gamut, showing the range and the power of free Android apps in general. Surely, you wouldn’t want to miss that opportunity? The following are the most popular Android Apps available for free.

Google Sky Map

Probably not the most useful on this list, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting. The Google Sky Map is exactly that: a planetarium right inside your Android phone. What’s more? No need to say more than it’s a Google program!

Backgrounds

Do you want to keep your phone looking new and fresh every so often? Get Backgrounds, one of the most popular free Android apps that has more than 10,000 wallpapers for free. With this app, your phone will never look drab again.

Facebook

I really shouldn’t have to say a single word about this app. I do feel it’s necessary to say that it’s the *Official Facebook App for Android*. Enough said!

Compass

In a way, it would be very surprising if a run-of-the-mill compass app was on this list. Well, it’s not and this Android app is far more than a mere tool to tell you which way is north. To name a few of the features this app brings to the table will be enough to sell most on the idea that it’s a practical, handy app to have on their Android phone. Essentially this is a half compass, half GPS Android app. It tells you the direction, but it also tells you the speed at which you’re traveling, the exact coordinates of your location and more things that can be used for fun or to potential save your life if you’re trapped somewhere.

Barcode Scanner

Perhaps one of the most ingenious free Android apps on this list, this barcode scanner app lets you access prices, reviews, and other related files by scanning the barcodes on various items in stores and elsewhere. Most importantly for Android phone users, it will easily decode the QR Codes attached to Android apps that you find all over many of the Android websites online. Just download this free app, click the icon and take a quick snapshot of an app’s QR Code. Next thing you know, you’ll be at the Android Market again, but this time at that app’s info and download page!

Handcent SMS

Do you want to send SMS and MMS messages through your Android phone? Don’t get what I’m asking? More simply: do you next? If you do, you need to get Handcent SMS for Android. Basically, it takes your phone to entirely new level and texting dimension. Trust me, when you’ve used this app for a while, you’ll wonder how you lived without it for so long!

Ringdroid

Perhaps one of the most hands-on free Android apps, Ringdroid allows you to edit various audio files so you can create your own ringtones and alarms. Tired of editing songs to create your own ringtone? Well, they’ve thought of that too! You can create ringtones for your Android phone from scratch as well (using the Ringdroid app on your phone).

Places Directory

This Android app does exactly what it sounds like. It allows you to find the nearest gas station, shopping mall, shoe store, movie theater, or even a great place for a burger. It is simple to use yet very efficient and effective: a must-have Android application!

Astro File Manger

You wouldn’t know it from this app’s name, but Astro File Manager is among the top most popular free Android apps. It is a task manager and among Android’s best one at that. You will be able to manage files, read and open .zip files. send files, backup applications and much more with this amazing app.

Shazam

Everyone loves music, well most of us love it. I’m guessing if you haven’t heard of Shazam and what it does by now, you’re probably part of the minority. If that’s the case, this app will nearly instantly identify songs playing, even in noisy environments. That’s the core of Shazam, but luckily for all of us, it’s spawned into much more than that! You’ll just have to download it (for free) to see all of the possibilities!

These apps are awesome, don’t you think so? Using these apps on your Android phone at once, enjoy the fun they bring to you Readmore...