BlackBerry has signed a deal with Amazon for the integration of 240,000 Android apps from the online retailer’s app store on the smartphone maker’s 10-series device range from this autumn.
To be offered together with the yet-to-be-launched BlackBerry 10.3 OS, the deal will add a wider array of consumer-focused apps to Blackberry devices, while expanding access to thousands of the most popular apps and games to its consumers.
The smartphones powered by BlackBerry 10 OS will enable consumers to access Android apps including Groupon, Netflix, Pinterest, Minecraft and Candy Crush Saga.
BlackBerry executive chairman and CEO, John Chen, said that making the Amazon Appstore available on BlackBerry 10 devices will help BlackBerry continue to meet two essential needs: greater app availability for its smartphone users and enhanced productivity solutions for enterprises.
"We’ve listened to our customers and have taken this important step to deliver on their needs, while executing on our strategy," Chen added.
The latest move is the latest by BlackBerry to restructure its focus as it is working to recreate its lost ground to Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy devices.
As part of the deal, BlackBerry and Amazon will jointly work with BlackBerry application developer community to assist transfer their apps to the Amazon Appstore prior to the 10.3 launch.
Furthermore, a new enterprise application partner programme is also planned for corporate developers, ISVs and systems integrators, which would expand the number of enterprise applications leveraging BlackBerry 10 to deliver improved functionality, while boosting users’ productivity, communication and collaboration.
Recently, Blackberry also signed a deal with mobile payments firm EnStream as part of efforts to offer a secure platform for business deals between banks and consumers.
