Alec Saunders, RIM’s VP of Developer Relations, has tweeted out that the PlayBook will be losing the ability to sideload applications in the next PlayBook update.
@blondeboyofdoom piracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don’t want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android market
Quite a few of the BlackBerry Community were very upset by this, some even stating that RIM was no better than Apple in removing the ability to sideload apps to the PlayBook.
@Spy520e we’re removing sideloading for consumers. Pretty sure we’ve got a solution for devs.
3:16 PM – 4 Apr 12 via TweetDeck · Embed this Tweet
- Michael Scrivo
@mscrivo
@asaunders@Spy520e Alec, by doing this, you’re no better than Apple. People who are able to buy apps will buy them. Piracy is NOT an issue
Mohamed Rizk
@Spy520e
@mscrivo@asaunders Did you see me complaining or something? Was just asking how will I test my apps. That’s it. Also he replied already.TY
Currently, there is a sandbox method for developers to “give away” their apps to beta testers, by adding the beta testers BlackBerry ID email address and providing the app for free for download to that beta tester via BlackBerry App World. Developers are concerned though, how will they initially be able to test their app on the PlayBook prior to being ready to beta test them to the world.
Head over to the forums to make your voice heard.
Source: Alec Saunders (Twitter)