The Android app ecosystem is apparently a “chaotic cesspool” as far as Research in Motion’s Vice President of Developer Relations Alec Saunders is concerned. Last week, Saunders wrote on Twitter that a whopping 25% of Android apps are pirated. As a result, RIM will encrypt apps in the next BlackBerry OS update.
Side-loading is one of the advantages Android has over other operating systems. It allows applications to be installed without the need of an app store such as Google Play or the Amazon Appstore. Unfortunately, this method does open the door to piracy, but it’s not certain whether or not Saunders’ claim that quarter of Android apps are pirated is actually true.
In a blog post, Saunders clarifies that side-loading isn’t disappearing from the PlayBook. Developers will still have access to that feature so they can test their apps and send out betas. Other apps will be encrypted so they can only be used by the person that originally purchased it.
The BlackBerry PlayBook started supporting Android apps in an effort to boost low sales. Now that RIM is limiting that feature, all Android apps will need to be downloaded from BlackBerry App World.
Website Referenced: Inside BlackBerry Developer Blog
