Research In Motion is working on software to allow its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to run Android applications, three people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. RIM plans to integrate the technology with the PlayBook operating system, giving customers access to Android's more than 130,000 apps. RIM, after looking outside the company, is developing the software internally and may have it ready in the second half, two people said. RIM, which plans to launch the tablet in the US during Q1, declined to comment on the report. RIM had considered using Google's Dalvik, the Java software used in running Android apps, and decided against it for reasons including an ongoing patent dispute between Oracle and Google over the software, two people said. RIM is building its tablet on QNX, software bought as part of its acquisition of Harman International Industries in April. Opting for QNX also puts the PlayBook a step closer to Android as they share the common Posix standard.
