Struggling to make any significant progress with its BlackBerry 10 app catalog, BlackBerry has turned to Android developers to plug the gaping holes. The Canadian company has reportedly been courting Android app makers as it looks to provide its users with direct access to Android apps through BlackBerry World.
BlackBerry has updated the BBM for Android app inside the BlackBerry Beta Zone to add Channels and BBM Voice calling. Those lucky enough to have access to the beta releases can download the version 200.0.0.138 update right away.
It’s not too difficult to look back over the last 12 months and pick out a whole host of consumer tech products that were a great success — they’re the ones we all remember, after all. But what about those that didn’t do so well.
We’ve put together a list of the biggest tech flops from 2013 — 7 devices and services that were supposed to be big, but just couldn’t cut it. We’ll start with the overwhelming failure of the HTC First, the first Facebook-powered smartphone.
Android’s software library gets bigger and stronger each and every year, and that’s no surprise given that it now holds the largest share of the worldwide smartphone market. And there’s never been a better time to be an Android user from a third-party software standpoint.
Not only has Android caught up with the quantity of apps on iOS, but developers are helping it bridge the gap between quality, too. Apps like VSCO Cam, Cal, and Yahoo! Weather are proving that Android software can be just as beautiful as its rivals, while things like Cover and Fleksy demonstrate the important of its customization options — and the benefits of using Android over other mobile platforms.
Picking a small selection of apps for a Best of 2013 roundup hasn’t exactly been easy, then. This list could have been significantly longer than it is, but we’ve tried to condense it down and cherry pick the apps that really stand out. So, without further ado, here are the best Android apps of 2013.
BBM has been a huge success on Android and iOS, and so although they may be rival platforms, that won’t stop BlackBerry from porting over its biggest and best BBM features to keep its messaging service alive.
In 2014, the Canadian company will rollout major updates that add BBM Channels, BBM Voice, and new sharing features — and you can see them in action in the video below.
