RIM accepting Android apps for BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) is now accepting Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android-based applications optimized for its forthcoming BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software refresh.

PlayBook OS 2.0, slated to arrive later this month, builds in the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps, enabling developers to repackage existing Android apps to run on the tablet as well as upcoming BlackBerry 10-based devices. RIM offers several different options for porting Android apps to PlayBook OS 2.0, including the BlackBerry Plug-in for ADT, the BlackBerry Packager for Android apps and the BlackBerry SDK for Android apps. RIM urges developers to submit their apps by Feb. 6 to guarantee availability on the BlackBerry App World storefront at the time PlayBook OS 2.0 is released.

PlayBook OS 2.0 promises tablet users new tools to improve personal and professional interactions. Highlights include a new unified inbox, multitasking within email, a calendar app touting information about contacts and companies in the user's meeting schedule, a relationship-centric contacts app and expanded productivity features.

RIM launched the first edition of the PlayBook in April 2011. The tablet features two optional "app players" providing a runtime environment for BlackBerry Java applications as well as apps running Android 2.3. RIM also released a native SDK for the tablet, enabling C/C++ application development on its BlackBerry Tablet OS.

BlackBerry PlayBook sales lag far behind more popular tablets like Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad and Amazon.com's Android-based Kindle Fire. RIM sold 150,000 PlayBook units in its third fiscal quarter ending Nov. 26, down from 250,000 shipments the previous quarter and 500,000 in the first sales quarter after the product's launch.

For more:
- read this Inside BlackBerry Developer's Blog entry

Related articles:
RIM launches BlackBerry 7.1, previews PlayBook OS 2.0
RIM releases BlackBerry PlayBook v2.0 Native SDK beta
RIM updates BlackBerry PlayBook OS v2.0 Developer Beta
RIM delays BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 to early 2012