BlackBerry Manager Lets You Install BlackBerry Apps On Any Android Device
BlackBerry has been making an effort to make its suite of apps compatible with Android devices, but if your phone has been left out in the cold, your options have been fairly limited up until this point. Rooting is always an possibility, but a lot of people don't want to do that to their device. Luckily, XDA Developers is highlighting a new option called BlackBerry Manager, which will let you install BlackBerry's apps without needing to root your device first.
Developed by XDA senior member cobalt232, there are more benefits beyond BlackBerry Manager than just not having to root your device. BlackBerry Manager will also patch these apps automatically, so you don't have to worry about falling behind because you needed to use a roundabout installation method.
So, what can you install with BlackBerry Manager? The list is quite long, and features a lot of apps that are intended to work together. Here's the full list of apps that can be installed through cobalt232's BlackBerry Manager:
- BlackBerry Calendar
- BlackBerry Contacts
- BlackBerry Hub
- BlackBerry Hub+ Services
- BlackBerry Keyboard
- BlackBerry Launcher
- BlackBerry Notes
- BlackBerry Notable
- BlackBerry Password-Keeper
- BlackBerry Privacy Shade
- BlackBerry Universal Search
- BlackBerry Tasks
Of these, BlackBerry Hub+ and BlackBerry Hub+ Services are two everyone will probably want to install. BlackBerry Hub+ allows you to access things like calendars, emails, social media, and chat services all in one place, though as XDA Developers points out, this comes without the added security features found on dedicated BlackBerry devices (for now, at least). BlackBerry Hub+ services, on the other hand, it necessary for some apps to function properly.
Beyond those two, though, what you download through BlackBerry Manager is ultimately up to you. There are security apps like BlackBerry Password-Keeper and Privacy Shade to check out, while others like BlackBerry Keyboard and BlackBerry Universal Search have capabilities that challenge the built-in features that shipped with your phone.
So, if you can't download BlackBerry's made-for-Android apps on your phone, you might want to give cobalt232's BlackBerry Manager a try. All you need is a phone running Android 5.0 or later and the APK [download]. If you decide to install it, be sure to head down to the comments section and tell us how you like it!
SOURCE: XDA Developers