BlackBerry PlayBook 4G seem ready for a release

 

Granted, we do know that the BlackBerry PlayBook did run into issues in terms of sales figures in the past, and beleaguered smartphone manufacturer RIM does not seem to be in too good spirits these days. There have been rumors in the past of the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G being launched, and in one of the more recent excerpts from RIM CEO Thorsten Heins, it does seem as though the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G is ready to rock and roll sometime in the future. N4BB and BB FR did spend some time with the tablet, where it sported 4G connectivity as well as software version OS 2.0.1.354.

Initial impressions pointed to a faster processor, and it could possible be a faster dual-core 1.5GHz chip that sees action. In addition, word has it that RIM has also begun to release such tablets to its corporate partners as well as other channels of distribution. BlackBerry Messenger does not seem as though it is installed on the tablet though. Do you think that the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G is going to be able to turn things around for RIM?

BlackBerry PlayBook Twitter and Kindle apps on the way?

We all know that the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 update is arriving next week, but it looks like some long-awaited apps might be on the way as well. According to Best Buy Canada's product page for the PlayBook, it suggests that we might be seeing a native Twitter and Amazon Kindle app that will be released soon (possibly with the OS 2.0 update). In the description of the PlayBook, they mention: “Plug in to BlackBerry App World™ and read, write and game like never before. With thousands of apps for every use, you'll never run out of new and exciting options. Pick up Angry Birds or Cut the Rope, read the latest magazines, or connect online with Facebook and Twitter apps. With access to Kobo and Kindle, you can enjoy new late night reading without ever leaving your living room.” It could have been just a typo on the website, but Best Buy were the ones who advertised the OS 2.0 update as “coming soon” before an official release date was even given, so there's a chance that they could be on to something here. Well, the update arrives next week, so we shouldn't have to wait too long to find out. Stay tuned.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS confirmed for February 21st

Earlier this week we heard reports about the PlayBook OS 2.0 update arriving on February 21st, and it looks like the rumor has turned out to be accurate. According to reports online, in a webcast about “Developing native games with the BlackBerry NDK 2.0″, RIM confirmed the release date of PlayBook OS 2.0. Well, assuming that everything goes well and there aren't any problems with the rollout, we should see PlayBook OS 2.0 by next Tuesday. For those of you planning to pick up the BlackBerry PlayBook just because of the upcoming update, you should start shopping around for one by now. PlayBook OS 2.0 is said to bring features such as native calendar, email, and contacts apps, support for Android apps, and the usual host of fixes and tweaks to the operating system. Who is excited about the upcoming update?

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 arriving next week?

Looking forward to PlayBook OS 2.0 for your BlackBerry PlayBook? According to rumors online you won't be waiting for too long, in fact we might be seeing the update as early as in a week's time. N4BB.com has reported that its sources have confirmed February 21st to be the expected release date of PlayBook OS 2.0. However, there's really no way of confirming the rumor besides waiting for the day to arrive or getting someone in the know to disclose that information. We've previously heard rumors about a February 17th release date, so this new date marks a slight delay for its release – but just as long as RIM sticks to its February deadline, I'm sure nobody will get too upset. The PlayBook OS 2.0 is supposed to turn the PlayBook into what it should have been when on launch day. It includes native email, calendar and contacts apps. BBM still won't be present (you'll need to use BlackBerry Bridge for that), but hopefully the support for running Android apps can make up for it. Who's still looking forward to PlayBook OS 2.0?

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 3.0 being tested?

While most BlackBerry PlayBook owners are eagerly awaiting the arrival of PlayBook OS 2.0, it looks like RIM has already started working on the next version - if rumors are to be believed. The folks over at n4bb.com have reported that, according to a source, the PlayBook OS 3.0 is being tested right now. RIM has failed to make any mention of a PlayBook OS 3.0 in the past so this comes as a surprise, but if it turns out to be true that means we should be seeing OS 2.0 being released pretty soon. No details about OS 3.0 were released, so we can't say what it's going to feature. Perhaps it'll be closing the gap between QNX and BlackBerry 10? I guess we'll just have to wait and see. What features would you like to see available in PlayBook OS?

BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 Update Coming Next Month – Runtime For Android Lets Users Run Android Apps and Games

The BlackBerry Playbook is said to be receiving its OS 2.0 update come next month and along with some much needed new improvements (like a native email app), the update will finally give the device the long promised ability to to play Android apps and games via the BlackBerry Runtime for Android app player. Developers have until February 6th to submit their Android apps into the BlackBerry App World store if they want their apps approved in time for the new Playbook OS 2.0′s launch. So what exactly does it take for an Android app to win approval by RIM? Well, for one — a developer must remove any and all words containing “Android” in them, as well as our beloved green mascot (I call him Andy). Makes sense. Also mandatory, a developer must remove anything that would otherwise take a user to the Android Market be it links or otherwise. RIM says porting Android apps should be a relatively painless process and we'll have to wait and see how many developers jump on this opportunity. As a fan of technology in general, I've always had a soft spot for the Playbook and it will be interesting to see if this will help garner new sales of the almost failed tablet.

RIM's rumored 2012 roadmap includes two new PlayBook tablets, one BlackBerry 10 smartphone

If you've been wondering what RIM has in store for us this year (after a rather bad 2011 for the company, especially in the newly-entered tablet space), well, wonder no more. We now have some rumored details concerning the Canadian company's roadmap for this year. Perhaps surprisingly after the while PlayBook debacle, RIM seems intent on launching not one, but two new tablets throughout this year. One will have a 7-inch screen like the currently selling PlayBook, and the other will be bigger, sporting a 10-inch display. The former should arrive around April, with HSPA+ support, and the latter will only be out in December (yet it will get LTE connectivity). PlayBook OS 2.0 will be released by the end of February. Originally, the 10-inch project was scrapped, but apparently it got revived at some point for whatever reason. The first smartphone to run BlackBerry 10, the new OS version from RIM, will be available in September. And it may be the only BB10 phone of the year. It may get unveiled in May during BlackBerry World. But as that will happen so far from its launch date, it will probably just be shown, and won't be ready to play with. We'll also see two new BlackBerry Curve handsets in 2012, both aimed at emerging markets (East Asia and Africa). One of them will be 2G-only, a rare occurrence these days, and they'll both obviously run BlackBerry OS 7.x. Don't forget that this is just a rumor for now, so treat it as such. Even if everything in here turns out to be true, it remains to be seen whether these steps will be enough for RIM to regain its ‘cool factor' in the developed world.

BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 hands-on

Research In Motion didn't unveil any new devices at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, but the Waterloo, Ontario-based vendor still managed to appease fans with a preview of its first major PlayBook OS update that will finally be released some time next month. We spent a good amount of time putting the OS 2.0 through the paces and while there are still some kinks to iron out - we had apps crash on us a number of times - we absolutely walked away impressed. Check out our hands-on photos in the gallery below and hit the break for our impressions. PlayBook owners have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for RIM to finally bring native PIM functionality to the PlayBook, but the wait was worth it. We were already fans of RIM's tablet, but the addition of in-built email, calendar and contacts without the need to tether to a BlackBerry smartphone is obviously a welcome addition. RIM did a great job with the apps as well, providing what is easily among the best email and calendar experiences we've seen on a tablet. Apps integrate with each other seamlessly and we're big fans of the layered UI RIM used in the email app. The email app opens to reveal a unified inbox with a list of messages on the left, and the body of highlighted messages appears to the right. Interactions with the menu buttons on the far left beyond the message list reveal a new panel on which users can perform searches, apply view filters, drill down to individual accounts and more. The calendar and contacts apps function much the same way, with layers of panels that slide to the right as the user selects menu items. Integration across apps is also well-designed. For example, contacts are tied to meeting entries in the calendar. In the day view, a panel opens up to the right that displays a complete list of all contacts the user is scheduled to interact with over the course of the day. If changes to a meeting need to me made, the user can quickly and easily call or message contacts scheduled to attend the meeting and notify them of the changes. The PIM functions in PlayBook OS 2.0 support the standard mix of email services along with LinkedIn and Twitter right now, but more integration with various social services is coming. While BlackBerry Bridge is no longer needed for email, calendar or contacts, RIM has added some great new functionality that we will be showing off in a forthcoming video walkthrough. Most notable is the new remote control feature, which allows users to type, navigate and even perform gestures on a PlayBook using a BlackBerry smartphone. Even with all its improvements, the PlayBook OS is still missing key elements - most notably, support for two features RIM is well known for are still missing: BES and BBM. The absence of this core functionality makes the PlayBook 2.0 still feel like an incomplete solution, but from what we know so far, RIM is working hard to overcome the development obstacles we have detailed numerous times here on BGR. As it stands now, assuming RIM works out the stability issues we saw, PlayBook owners should absolutely be happy with the PIM features and other new functionality coming to the PlayBook next month.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 arriving in February 2012

[CES 2012] RIM's long-awaited OS update for its debut tablet the BlackBerry PlayBook has finally been given a release date. According to an announcement from the company today, PlayBook OS 2.0 will be arriving in February 2012 - which means at most less than two months of waiting. The update which is touted to improve every aspect of the PlayBook will include the following features: A new unified inbox, tabbed email, rich-text email composing and editing, and inbox management tools to give an advanced messaging experience; an innovative people-centric calendar and relationship-centric contacts app for deeper integration of social relationships; a remote control feature for your BlackBerry phone to control the PlayBook and the ability to open files on your BlackBerry phone on the PlayBook itself. Documents To Go and Print To Go have also been updated with improved functionality, and the BlackBerry App World and Video Store will have access to more apps and video content. The web browser has also been updated with a “reading view” to make reading websites a more pleasant experience. Anybody excited about this new update or have you already given up on your PlayBook?

New sale cuts BlackBerry PlayBook price by as much as $400

Research In Motion's debut tablet has been something of a disappointment for the Waterloo, Ontario-based vendor. While the slate showed promise, it failed to offer potential users a compelling reason to choose it over the iPad or an Android tablet, and RIM would end up taking a $485 million charge in the third fiscal quarter due to unsold PlayBook inventory. Sale pricing ahead of the holidays last year seemingly helped RIM and its distribution partners clear out some inventory, however, as the company is once again offering discounts on its QNX-based tablet. While pricing starts at $299 rather than $199 this time around, all three PlayBook models cost $299, which means the 64GB version can be had for a deep $400 discount. RIM's first major update for its tablet OS set to bring native email and more next month.