Reputable newspaper Bloomberg reported that RIM's upcoming Tablet PC Playbook is inclined to support Android applications. Although RIM's using its own operating system called QNX, it is expected to enable Android application usage through their in-house developed virtual machine. This will ensure that users get the option of using more than 130 thousand applications from Android market.

If this argument holds, it may prove a winning combination. RIM will manage to pull together the best of both worlds:  - built-in blackberry encryption and advance communications and wide range of applications from Android. RIM has not commented on these statements. They said only that their Tablet PC is on schedule to sell in the first quarter. Sales outside U.S. will follow in Q2 and later this year.

A heated discussion is also ongoing on various Blackberry related forums. Many users are abandoning Blackberry for the lack of developer support, and small number of third party applications available on AppWorld. If RIM manages to bring Android application base to not only its tablet PC, but also next generation smart phones, that would most probably turn the trend around. Many advance users prefer Blackberry devices, and would stick with them if they would be capable of running Android apps.

We think RIM is also aware of that, but it might be too optimistic to think that android apps support will come to blackberry phones in second half of the year. Although some announced hardware changes (for example Torch 2 refresh) might support this wild idea.

Torch 2 specifications include everything that Google requires for Android smart phones: faster CPU, digital compass and other new sensors, at least 512 MB ram and 8 GB+ flash. These are the complete Torch 2 specs as leaked a few days ago:

• 1.2GHz processor
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Tri-band HSPA 14.4Mbps
• 3.2-inch VGA 640 x 480 capacitive touch screen
• 8GB flash memory
• 512 MB RAM
• Bluetooth 2.1
• GPS
• NFC
• 5-MB camera with LED flash
• Magnetometer
• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• 1300 mAh battery
• BlackBerry OS 6.1
• OpenGL ES

But will Blackberry OS 6.1 really include support for Android apps? So far only new QNX based OS is mentioned in this remark, and taking into the account the RIM's (lack of) speed with new development (Skype for blackberry was announced in 2009, but still not out; Adobe Flash support was announced for 2010, but still not out…), we remain rather pessimistic…

Torch 2 is scheduled for Q3 this year.