Check your Android Apps for BlackBerry 10 with the Online Packager
RIM are doing a lot of work at the moment in making it easier for developers to convert their apps to BlackBerry 10.
One of the things that’s not being highlighted as much is the fact that RIM have had an online packager available for a while which lets you check your Android app for compatibility. This is a great online resource and it’s free.
The BlackBerry Packager for Android apps allows you to quickly check your Android application for compatibility and repackage it using your browser, to produce a BlackBerry PlayBook or BlackBerry 10 compatible BAR file.
Once repackaged, you can then sign the BAR file so that it can be distributed through the BlackBerry App World storefront.
Before you use the BlackBerry Packager, you should be aware that creating a BAR file using this tool does not guarantee that your app will be approved for distribution in BlackBerry App World, nor does it guarantee that the BAR file will function as intended on a BlackBerry PlayBook or BlackBerry 10 device. If, however, you want to test your application on a BlackBerry PlayBook, a BlackBerry Tablet Simulator, or a BlackBerry 10 device to ensure that it meets your standard of quality, you should use the BlackBerry Plug-in for ADT.
Using the packager
Before you begin: Follow these steps to install the Android SDK and SDK platform APIs. Note that you don’t need to install Eclipse or the BlackBerry Plug-in for Android Development to use the online packager.
- Set the permissions to allow your browser to run the packager applet.
- Run the compatibility test to determine whether your app is likely to run on a BlackBerry PlayBook.
- Request code signing keys and configure your computer
- Package and sign your app.
Get started with the online packager
