Why BlackBerry with Android makes sense to me.

(Photoshopped image)

Let's talk BlackBerry. Rumours and leaks recently have pointed towards BlackBerry devices running Android. While some may be wondering why they even bother, I am sitting here thinking of reasons why BlackBerry should do it.


Afterall, John Chen, CEO of BlackBerry has already stated that he is not against building an Android device provided he can make it secure, and at this point, I think it's a matter of eventuality rather than a theory.

Technicalities like how to secure Android aside, there are plenty of good reasons of why Android will work in BlackBerry's favour, and very little reasons not to at least give it a try.

1. Costs

Building your own OS and ecosystem is expensive. Not just maintaining it, but also the developer tools, attracting developers, etc. Going all in on Android would allow BlackBerry save a bit of money, and piggyback on the already mature Android ecosystem. If we are talking about Android with Google services, and not forked Android, then BlackBerry won't even have to do a lot of heavy lifting, and that solves the one big issue BlackBerry 10 is facing too, apps.

2. Ecosystem

I love BlackBerry 10. The gestures, and the Hub. But those can probably be replicated on Android if they want to. But the main thing that it is lacking, is in apps. While in its current form, it runs Android apps, the experience isn't exactly great compared to native apps. Not to mention not all Android apps work properly. Going Android, and having Play Store solves that issue.

3. People still love BlackBerry hardware

In a recent post by Michael Fisher from Pocketnow, titled "5 reasons the world needs an Android BlackBerry" (great read by the way), his first point was "BlackBerry still does incredibly good hardware". If you have picked up a Passport or Classic recently, you'll know how solid those devices feel in hand. The BlackBerry Q10 even after 2 years in the market, still feels great when compared to modern flagship devices.

4. Physical Keyboard

While this could be categorise under the above point, I think it is significant enough to demand its own segment. If you have used any of the old BlackBerry physical keyboard devices, you would know how good the keyboard are to type on. Along with useful keyboard shortcuts that helps really save tons of time. It's not just typing though, it's text editing too. Like selecting, and editing text. BlackBerry knows how to make a great keyboard, and I think a lot people would love a physical keyboard device that isn't restricted by BlackBerry 10's ecosystem problem.

5. BlackBerry 10 isn't a moneymaker

BlackBerry doesn't exactly make a ton of money selling hardware these days. With the BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) going the way of the Dodo bird since they migrated over to BlackBerry 10, they aren't making a ton on service revenue as they were used to as well. What still makes them money (I think), are their enterprise solutions. Since BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Services) is able to manage iOS and Android devices as well, BlackBerry doesn't really have anything to lose here. BlackBerry 10 has been out there for years now, and hasn't really made a dent. However if they go Android along with their own software enhancements, like their superb BlackBerry Hub, File Manager, and other unique selling points like a physical keyboard, it could see BlackBerry selling more devices. And not just to enterprise, but to consumers as well.

6. Nothing to lose

As mentioned above, BlackBerry doesn't really have much to lose other than some resources. To me BlackBerry 10 isn't going to make it in the long run, no matter how good I think the OS is. By bundling Amazon app store out of the box, they did manage to lower the hurdle to BlackBerry 10 a little, but that pretty much stifled native development. Why build for BlackBerry 10 only when you can build for Android? The Android runtime BlackBerry used, has always been a little janky too, and sort of a patch work. Not to mention there are no Google services available. BES already works with Android, there are already some BlackBerry apps like BBM for Android. So now all they have to do is try to make Android secure enough, and add their own software enhancements.

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I am a fan of BlackBerry products, and have owned, and loved my fair share of BlackBerry devices. But eventually I moved away from it, simply because it doesn't fulfil my needs from a mobile device anymore, and mainly it's down to the limited ecosystem.

So I for one would really love to see BlackBerry make a comeback. They have tried BlackBerry 10. They have given it time to try and make it work. Perhaps it is now time to give Android a try.

(Photoshopped images just for fun)