Category Archives: Programming

08/26/12

OSBBx Introduces App Centre for the BlackBerry PlayBook!

OSBBx Introduces App Centre for the BlackBerry PlayBook! 

 

One of the challenges facing users on the BlackBerry PlayBook, is the difficulty in finding open source applications and ensuring you have the latest version.  OSBBx would like to present App Centre, a team application put together to allow users to download the latest version of open source and free applications directly to the BlackBerry PlayBook or PC.

Features:

  • PB Version:  Localbar 2 support built in for on-device installation
  • Win Version:  BAR installation tools built in allowing for download and immediate installation
  • Browse the latest emulators and open source applications right from your PlayBook

Downloads:

  • .BAR Download link for the BlackBerry PlayBook:  Download
  • .EXE Download link for Windows:   Download 
  • Mobile Version:  Visit

Special Thanks to all the OSBBx team members who contributed to this app!  As a combined effort we had over 10 people contributing on this project.

More information available at the OSBBx Development Site here: OSBBx Introduces App Centre for the BlackBerry PlayBook!

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10/20/11

BlackBerry + Android, and thank you DDPB Installer

In my previous post on the subject, I covered how to install Android Player on your BlackBerry!  Well, now you don’t have to!

Step 1 – Backup your PlayBook.  Because if something goes wrong, you will be happy you did!

Java Development Kit

Step 2 – Download and install the appropriate JDK below

> Download: 32bit (Link fixed)

> Download: 64bit (Link fixed)

Note:  You must us  right version for your system or the installer will fail to work.

Side-Loader Application, this will let you add APK’s and BAR files

Step 3 - Install DDPB Installer 1.0.7

> Download: DDPB Installer1.0.7.msi (Link fixed)

Step 4 – On your PlayBook, go into options – Security – Development Mode.  Turn Development mode on

Step 5 – Plug in your BlackBerry PlayBook using your USB cable to the PC.

Step 6 – Start installing BAR files using DDPB Installer!

For more information on the DDPB Installer visit this link.

Need some BAR files that were former Android packages?  Check this link or this link (which has a ton).

-ls

 

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08/16/11

Minecraft Pocket Edition Released for Mobile Phones

Minecraft Pocket Edition Released for Mobile Phones

Thats right!  Minecraft has finally been released for mobile phones.  Specifically:  The Xperia PLAY.  The application is available in the Android store for ~7$ CAN, and the Xperia Play Android phones are running about 400$ CAN (eBay pricing).

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mojang.minecraftpe

The good news, is that Mojang is moving it to all Android devices in one months time with an iOS build in the works.  That takes care of the Android tablets and iPad.  The pressure is now on RIM for the Playbook to add their Android emulator soon if their users want access to Minecraft.  This only raises the question of HP tablet owners and tablet owners from other manufacturers.

The only down side I can foresee to Minecraft Portable is the removal of enemies.  The intention is for a more portable game play style.

An alternative for full Minecraft support on a Tablet is to purchase an Acer Inspire tablet (~399$) which runs Windows 7 32bit with 16GB of disk space.  It has a 5 hour battery life.

Well, regardless, way to go Mojang, this app has great selling potential on any platform.

~Lloyd

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07/24/11

Streaming Video to your Tablet

 

Streaming Video to your PlayBook – iPad below. (Anyone have Android suggestions?)

For those of you who stream video to your Xbox 360 via Tversity, this should be an easy change. You have several different options, most of them are browser based.

ORB is one of the best.  I  haven’t had a chance to look at it too carefully, but it has massive support for all kinds of tablets and devices.  With ORB you can literally go with a plug-and-play solution.

TVERSITY is what I use, because I use it for my Xbox 360.

Continue reading →

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07/24/11

Want to know how to play SWF’s locally on the PlayBook?

 

Playing SWFs Locally or after Downloading Them to your PlayBook (including adding an icon!)

Difficulty:  Pretty easy

Step 1 – Install a Local Web Browser from the App Store.  In this case, Offline Viewer.

Link:  http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/36273?lang=en

Note:  This will let you browse only your root /media/downloads folder for viewing, however you can link to any subfolder

Step 2 – Download a wack of SWF files.  Need a torrent?

http://thepiratebay.org/search/flash%20games < – Grab ‘very addicting flash games’ torrent

http://isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=flash+games

Step 3 – Place them into a subfolder (i.e. downloads/flash_games/)

Step 4 – Add a root index.html under (downloads/) with hyperlinks to the files

Step 5 – Use the Viewer to open the file into your browser

Step 6 – Create a bookmark in your browser, save it to your Home (all)

Step 7 – Hold the icon a few seconds in the All tab and move it to the Games tab

Done!

Tip:  Want to know how to create a list fast and easy?  Use your old dos / batch file tools.

Continue reading →

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07/23/11

Installing Android on your PlayBook

Looking for the DDPB Installer to install Andorid Apps from Crackberry ?  Your at the wrong link!  You are linking for this one:

http://www.filearchivehaven.com/2011/10/20/blackberry-android-and-thank-you-ddpb-installer/

 

 

Wanting Android apps on your PlayBook?  Or Beta apps like the AngryBirds?  This only works on old non 2.0 Beta OS users running 1.6.

Below are some handy steps (and quick download links) for installing Android on your PlayBook.  Its pretty quick and takes about 10 minutes if nothing goes wrong.  My instructions are a little bit different than everyone else, but thats because I ran into three problems during the setup.  By following these steps you should be a-0-k with minimal effort.  In addition, as a disclaimer, if something goes wrong… well your stuck googling it to find an answer because this is not RIM recommended or approved.

Before all else – Backup your BBPB.

Installation:

Java Development Kit

Step 1 – Download and install the appropriate JDK below

> Download: 32bit

> Download: 64bit

 

Side-Loader Application, this will let you add APK’s and BAR files

Step 2 – Install the DDPB Installer 1.0.0 (no dos commands today folks)

> Download: DDPB Installer.msi

Step 3 - Update to the later release by using the DDPB Installer 1.0.7

> Download: DDPB Installer1.0.7.msi

Note:  Some people can install right to the 1.0.7 version.  However, I’ve seen at least one system not work on that release.

Also Note:  When you run the app, it will warn twice that files are missing – THATS ok press continue.  If it says Java missing, file will exit however – that means the JDK isn’t being detected and the file wont reach the PlayBook.

 

Installing the Android Emulator

Step 4 – Download the following file and use the DDPB Installer to push it to your device

> Download: sys.android.bar

What can I install now?

Any APK’s you send to your device will appear only inside the Android Emulator.  So, you need to make sure it is installed first.  Also, if you do not live in North America, you cannot use the BlackBerry App Store.  In that case you will need to find BAR files to install such as some of the ones I put below.

Continue reading →

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07/19/11

Developing some Android Apps

That’s right – I grabbed the Android SDK’s this weekend and have started to hobble together a bunch of applications.

On a plus note, it looks like http://www.glbasic.com has added support not only for the GP2X and iOS devices but Android as well with the latest beta.

The test applications are available here: http://www.filearchivehaven.com/games/android-games/

Who knows what will be coming down the pipe in the near future!

Also, I started cramming C++ and Visual Studio again (yay). So it should mean some new toys on the horizon.

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