Take a look at how some popular Android apps run on the BlackBerry Passport

BB Empire TeamUncategorized

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If you were interested in how Android apps would run and appear on the Passport’s 16:9 screen ratio, Twitter user @seb997 offered the chance for his followers to kindly request certain Android app tests to see how well they performed on OS 10.3. Keep on reading to see which apps he tested and whether or not they worked well on the upcoming BlackBerry Passport

As you will see below, @seb997 tested Google Maps, Instagram, iGrannFlipboard, Google Translate, Pinterest, Appy Geek, TuneIn Radio, XE Currency, VSCO Cam, Clash of Clans and the native Twitter app for BlackBerry 10.

He also provided insight on each app in terms of performance, load times and scalability. He did, however, noted that Instagram did not work once you proceeded to sign in (force close) I can only assume that this is due to the runtime not being fully utilized and finished in development.

Google Maps, app loads really quickly and it is very responsive, I didn’t find any issues using it, seems much better than native BB maps.
Google Maps, app loads really quickly and it is very responsive, I didn’t find any issues using it, seems much better than native BB maps.
Instagram doesn’t work for me, each time I try to launch it, device goes crazy and needs rebooting. Instead I have load Padgram and Igrann. two apps are working well, but personally I do prefer iGrann, and hope to be able to load Instagram once OS has been finalised before launch.
Instagram doesn’t work for me, each time I try to launch it, device goes crazy and needs rebooting. Instead I have load Padgram and Igrann. two apps are working well, but personally I do prefer iGrann, and hope to be able to load Instagram once OS has been finalised before launch.
Flipboard, apps itself works fine but its bit odd due to 1:1 display ratio
Flipboard, apps itself works fine but its bit odd due to 1:1 display ratio
Google Translate is runs great, very useful app in my opinion.
Google Translate is runs great, very useful app in my opinion.
Pinterest, same issue as Flipboard, screen ratio of Passport does not help, also there isn’t search option or home page option, just loads my pins automatically on launch.
Pinterest, same issue as Flipboard, screen ratio of Passport does not help, also there isn’t search option or home page option, just loads my pins automatically on launch.
Appy Geek is one of my favourites apps, all news in one place, works a treat on Passport, and no issue with reading or browsing articles. Worth downloading.
Appy Geek is one of my favourites apps, all news in one place, works a treat on Passport, and no issue with reading or browsing articles. Worth downloading.
TuneIn Radio does work on OS10.3, much better than 10.2. Due to bigger screen on Passport searching for stations is easy compared to Q10.
TuneIn Radio does work on OS10.3, much better than 10.2. Due to bigger screen on Passport searching for stations is easy compared to Q10.
XE Currency, another app which I use quite often, mainly for work stuff and have been using it for last few couple of years I guess. Really happy that runs great on my BB
XE Currency, another app which I use quite often, mainly for work stuff and have been using it for last few couple of years I guess. Really happy that runs great on my BB
VSCOcam, this is quite new app for me, discovered only few weeks ago on iPhone. It works ok on Blackberry, its a bit slow once you start processing, but nothing which would affect usability.
VSCOcam, this is quite new app for me, discovered only few weeks ago on iPhone. It works ok on Blackberry, its a bit slow once you start processing, but nothing which would affect usability.
Clash Of Clans, to be honest I have just downloaded it. All seems fine, no delay or stretched logos on start up, very responsive. All in all no visible issue.
Clash Of Clans, to be honest I have just downloaded it. All seems fine, no delay or stretched logos on start up, very responsive. All in all no visible issue.
Twitter (native) had some issues before software update, it would not link to the hub, no option to retweet, or mark as favourite, all issues were resolved now.
Twitter (native) had some issues before software update, it would not link to the hub, no option to retweet, or mark as favourite, all issues were resolved now.

I asked on Twitter how Vine worked (Vine has worked since 10.2, but suffered from very slow load time and not being able to record Vines on some versions of the app) and he described it as “working flawless” which is good to see that the runtime is being improved as further iterations of OS 10.3 are being developed and released. Apps such as TuneIn and Vine are working better and even apps which didn’t work os 10.2.1/10.2.2 (VSCO Cam) will now work.

The important thing to take from all this is that the question on whether an Android app will work on a BlackBerry 10 device is starting to become a thing of the past. With all things considered, user @seb997 tested all the apps he uses on his Android device and only one of them didn’t work (the app has worked ever since the method of debug tokens surfaced)

With BlackBerry now having full permission to use the Amazon App Store to provide BlackBerry 10 users with Amazon’s Android app catalogue, the Android Runtime has now become more important than ever for BlackBerry and you can expect them to heavily improve it and prioritize from now on. If you were one of the eager users to have loaded 10.3.0.700, you will have already experienced the much improved (yet not finished) Android Runtime.

Thanks to Seb997 for his findings!

Source: Seb997’s Blog