Video shows BlackBerry 10.2.1 powered BlackBerry Z30 running Android 4.2.2 and YouTube app

Yesterday, BlackBerry starting rolling out its BlackBerry 10.2.1 update. In the U.S., Verizon customers sporting the BlackBerry Z10 are the first to receive it. And, as you will be able to see from the video below, using the Nova launcher allows Android 4.2.2 to run on a BlackBerry Z30 powered by the BlackBerry 10.2.1 OS. While not everything is working as it would on an Android model, the YouTube app does open after a slight delay. This gives BlackBerry users a proper YouTube app for the first time. Currently, 'Berry users pressing the YouTube icon on their phone are re-directed to the mobile website of the streaming video service.

Back in November, we told you that the BlackBerry 10.2.1 update would include an improved version of Android Runtime, allowing more Android apps to run on a BlackBerry 10 phone. Thanks to the update, APK files do not have to be converted and can be installed directly onto an updated BB10 phone. Obviously, certain core features of Android cannot be installed and trying to download the Google Play Store results results in it crashing.

Could this be the beginning of a subtle move from BlackBerry 10 to Android for the troubled manufacturer? So far, new CEO John Chen hasn't expressed any desire to switch, but remember that this guy does have a proven track record turning around dying companies. That means that he can make the hard decisions when required to. For now though, expect no changes.



Thanks, Anonymous Tipster!

source: Tomtechish