The BlackBerry runtime gets updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, as part of the BlackBerry 10.3 SDK Beta version. Since it is still in Beta, the update is not yet avialable to the general public, but serve only to give a glimpse of what the Android runtime will be like when the BB 10.3 OS is officially released.

The update gives compatibility to existing Android apps for BlackBerry, and even bring more apps.

The update also offers the following advantages:

• From the account settings of BlackBerry 10, it is already possible to manage and set up Android apps which verify users during login.
• Support for Android API level 18 apps using Bluetooth Low Energy.
• Support like reading, writing tags and sharing data (among NFC-enabled devices) for NFC-integrated Android apps.
• Android apps can share menu targets to BB 10.

BlackBerry 10 device owners just need to grab the BB 10.3 Beta SDK OS. In the case a test device is absent, anyone can just go to Android Tooling page and get the recent BB 10 device simulator.

BB 10 owners may also want to make their tools updated to the most recent beta 2.0.3, which is now available for download. For the most recent command-line tools, as well as plugins for Android Eclipse or Studio, go to the Android Tooling page.

To stay on track for upcoming updates, BB 10 owners may want to visit the Android Runtime roadmap for the details such as the coming gold release which will have another tooling update.

BB 10 owners can now start testing their Android app in the most recent runtime. Furthermore, they can visit forums to learn further and to even post their questions.