It’s been almost six months when RIM CO-CEO Mike Lazaridis first walked on stage at DevCon 2010 with the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in hand. The wait is now over and I am lucky enough to have RIM’s first entry into the tablet market, which was released last Tuesday April 19th. The PlayBook received some mixed reviews prior to launch but after actually having the device in hand some criticisms I get yet others I don’t.
Criticism: No Native Email Client
One of the biggest criticisms of the PlayBook was its lack of native email client at launch. RIM has said they will be releasing one soon but does it really need one? You get a full web browser not just a mobile version. For instance you would get the same experience with Gmail as you would on your PC.
Criticism: You need a BlackBerry to use the PlayBook / no Cellular internet access
The PlayBook can be a standalone product and you don’t need a BlackBerry, but it does help. The first iteration doesn’t come with cellular access so your three options for internet access are: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth tethering to any mobile phone (that is capable through DUN), and with a BlackBerry handheld through the BlackBerry Bridge. So no, you don’t need to have a BB to use the PlayBook. Sprint has announced a 4G version of the PlayBook for this summer and I expect CDMA/LTE/GSM versions to follow.
Feel of the tablet
The tablet feels good in hand and portable enough to take on the go. The size is comfortable to type in landscape (which seems to be the preferable orientation by RIM) but portrait mode is much easier. The power button on the top seems to be made by elves because it is so tiny and difficult to use. The screen is absolutely brilliant looking and the sound is very good on this 7″ tablet.
Using the tablet
The UI is very fluid and fast, it’s nice to see RIM’s acquisitions of QNX and TAT (The Astonishing Tribe) come together in this device. RIM also doesn’t need to wait on carrier approval for firmware updates so they can come more quickly. Some have seen nearly two updates available daily. The PlayBook also has a number of swipe gestures which make it easier to use and navigate with. So before you knock the PlayBook learn them as it may not intuitive to the average bear (based on some of the reviews so far).
Like I said earlier the PlayBook includes a full web browser. I think Apple (and Android to a degree) has people thinking they “need” apps. Initially the iPad and some Android tablets need apps because you don’t have a full web browser on those devices. So do you really need an app if the browser display web pages like on a PC do you really need a ton of apps?
BlackBerry Bridge
If you do have a BlackBerry you can connect to the PlayBook via the Bridge. This is a Bluetooth connection which will display and integrate your device’s PIM apps (Messages, Calendar, Tasks Memopad, etc) on the tablet. Through the Bridge you also have a browser which uses your BlackBerry for internet access (no need to pay for an additional tethering package). I think it’s great that RIM created a way to display the PIM apps I’m used to on my BB on the PlayBook. Also, any Wi-Fi networks you have on your BB will transfer to the PlayBook.
Room for improvement
I think the PlayBook is chalk full of beefy specs and an OS that RIM can really build on. As much as I love the feel of the device it does have its short comings. The Bridge is a bit buggy. The Bridge browser is kinda slow and sometimes just failed to pull up a site. I would need to close and reopen the app at times. I wish the Bridged PIM apps gave you the same abilities as my BB does. I can’t filter categories in tasks or memopad and I can’t search remote in Messages (mostly for BES consumers). The Bridge Files app shows my BB’s folder structure but doesn’t show my files. Also, the Bridge doesn’t include BBM or any out-of-the-box video conferencing app. The lack of BBM and video are pretty big fails on RIM’s part. I’m hoping one of those gazillion firmware updates I see will include these.
Aside from the glitches and downfalls of the Bridge I did have some issues with the regular browser. When watching Flash videos sometimes it would just freeze and I would need to re-open the app. The nice thing is I didn’t need to restart the PlayBook just the app. Simple tasks like copy and paste weren’t always available (I know odd). App World is pretty sparse right now. I know you get the full web which is cool I’d would like to see an SSH console app in addition to Pandora, Skype, and a Citrix Receiver.
Final Thoughts
I think RIM put together a really nice and well-built tablet. Although you really get more out of the PlayBook when Bridged to a BlackBerry I don’t think it’s necessary. Once RIM adds BBM, video chat options, and fixes some of the minor software bugs the PlayBook can be a viable tablet in the market. The loaded specs and fluid OS will help when comparing with the competition. I hope RIM adds/fixes the PlayBook drawbacks soon or it will fall into the sea of ever releasing tablets.
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