For the longest time, I had been running BlackBerry OS 10.0.10.648 on my Dev Alpha A full on. I was very happy with it. I even had the latest BBM Channels with the updated BBM app:
How to Update Your BBM App to Include BBM Channels
I decided to finally remove the SIM from my trusted Dev Alpha A whose form factor I love, and open up my Z10 which now is my STL-3 phone running OS 10.1.0.2006. I managed to update my Dev Alpha A to the developer OS10.1.0.1485 which for some reason does not allow configuration of the native Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn apps. This is not a problem since I have the android versions side-loaded:
Side Loading Android Apps onto Your Playbook or BlackBerry 10 Device
I used the STL-100-1 autoloader from:
http://developer.blackberry.com/blackberry10devalpha/devalpha_update.html
even if the site recommends the Dev Alpha B uploader for Dev Alpha A devices (which are no longer supported). Everything works fine. Has anyone tried the Dev Alpha B Autoloaders on the Dev Alpha A? Comment below about your findings.
As I am using BBM ad BBM Channels on my new Z10, I have not updated the BBM app on the Dev Alpha A with OS10.1.0.1485. It worked fine with OS 10.0.10.648.
Prior to OS10.1.0.1485, I had tried some other (unofficial hybrid/non-BlackBerry released) versions that led to problems involving random/unpredictable reboots of the device, even during the set-up. These were STL-100-1 versions of : OS 10.1.0.4543 and OS 10.1.0.2354. After putting these OS versions on the device, I tried to go back to OS 10.0.10.648, but this autoloader would crash, likely since I had a newer version of the OS. So, I decided to move forward with OS10.1.0.1485.
I am enjoying Netflix on my Dev Alpha A and Z10:
Older Android Version of Netflix Available For BlackBerry Z10
The differneces between the Dev Alpha A and B devices are outlined here:
http://devblog.blackberry.com/2012/10/blackberry-10-dev-alpha-a-b-specs/
You can find information on how to use an autoloader executeable file here:
pfcsystems 