I know what you’re thinking … how can you say that as Apple has clearly ripped off strengths of other platforms? As much I may not be a fan of Apple’s latest moves with iOS5 I say let em make a go at it. Competition is a good thing. The company with Steve Jobs at the helm (sort of) has always done well making apps and features clean, simple, and somehow “hip”.  This move will only make ________ (insert your preferred platform here) work even harder to make a better product.

Case in point, RIM probably wouldn’t have the BlackBerry Torch and PlayBook on the market if not for the iPhone and iPad.  In the current landscape Android might have market share with their armada of device manufacturers and BlackBerry may be holding on to Enterprise business by a slim margin but Apple has marketing and simplicity on their side.

I don’t think BlackBerry is done yet I just hope they put all those acquisitions to good use and release some products that wow us. Sound off in the comments and tell us what you think.

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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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A few weeks ago we posted what we can expect from the GSM side in the: Dakota (Bold), Torch 2, and Apollo (Curve).  It’s nice to see these newer BB’s come packing between 800Mhz – 1.2 Ghz processors, OpenGL, NFC, Mobile HotSpot, and a whole mess of other cool features.

Don’t fret you CDMA subscribers. It’s been apparent big red (Verizon) hasn’t had much love for BlackBerry lately and more Android crazy so here’s some good news for you. It looks like RIM has CDMA counterparts in the works and then some. Check out RIM’s CDMA road map for 2011.

So let’s take a step back and look at this big picture. If you’re wondering what you can expect in new devices, here’s the rundown with just a highlight of specs:

Bold

• Dakota – GSM, Montana – CDMA

o   1.2 Ghz proc, touchscreen, NFC, OpenGL, mobile hotspot, HD video recording (720p)

Curve

• Apollo – GSM, Sedona – CDMA

o   5MP camera w/flash, OS 6.1, NFC, 11mm thin, Snapdragon Proc?, same chipset as HTC Thunderbolt?

Curve Touch

• Malibu – CDMA, hopefully info on a GSM version is released soon

o   Entry level touchscreen device

o   800 Mhz (Snapdragon?) proc, no physical keyboard, 1GB flash memory, NFC

Monaco Touch (Storm 3?)

• CDMA only?
• 1.2 Ghz proc, HD video recording (720p), OpenGL, non SurePress

Torch 2

• 1.2 Ghz proc, NFC, OpenGL, OS 6.1

Although these don’t seem to be the dual core devices running QNX OS it’s nice to see RIM go past the 624Mhz processor. RIM has always been efficient in manufacturing their handsets, so I’m hoping this will tide us over until QNX OS packed devices are on the scene.  I’m assuming we won’t see an LTE BB until maybe early to mid 2012. What do you think of RIM’s 2011 lineup?

Source: CB

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Those of you who’ve loaded BB6 on your BB and don’t have a Torch, you found out the hard way themes are limited to no themes available. Well, it looks like RIM will be releasing an update to TB6 to include support for all BB devices than can support OS 6. TB6 (beta) had a number of bugs so hopefully Torch themes will improve. Bring on those themes!

via: @BlackBerryDev Twitter account

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The Motorola Xoom tablet is expected to be a hit and good competition for the iPad. If you were wondering how much the Android tablet the MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) is going to be just under $800. The HTC Thunderbolt is to be $249. Don’t be surprised to see lower pricing when actually launched. So if you’ve been waiting for this Honeycomb packed tablet save your pennies now.

via: AndroidCentral

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There isn’t a ton of info on the T-Mobile headed LG Slate it seems it has cropped up in a Korean music video. As far as specs below is what we do know.

• 8.9″ display size allowing 3D content without glasses
• 3D recording capability
• LG Tegra 2 dual-core CPU
• USB port and HDMI connector

We hope to see more info come out on this addition to the tablet wars. If your interested check out the Korean music video it was seen below.

via: TMoNews

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Seems like the BlackBerry device rumor mill has running again. For some time any info on yet to be released BlackBerry devices was pretty slim. So today we have some info you may want to keep in the rumor column until more info comes out but still fun to speculate. The folks over at N4BB are reporting that RIM is testing on a touchscreen version Style only on the main screen. Also, there is a possibility of a dual hinge version that would allow the Style (2) to open in landscape. In addition to touchscreen Style RIM is also working on a Curve with a touchscreen. This would not be the Curve Sedona we posted last week. It’s good to hear RIM is working on different form factors. Do either of these peak your interest?

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Big red is wasting no time getting ads for the upcoming iPhone4 release. Playing up on the moment you’ve been waiting for notion. How many of you will be watching the clock on Feb 9th? Check out the video below.

source: YouTube

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