Tag Archives: RIM

Operating Systems, tablets

BlackBerry PlayBook Finally Gets The OS2 Update

I know a lot of Blackberry Playbook users have been waiting for this one for quite some time, the OS2 update. Well, February is already here and today is the day that RIM is finally delivering the goods. As far as Research In Motion’s concerned, we’re looking at a major firmware update which adds a lot of changes, such as native email, improved social media integration with popular services like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, a whole new homescreen UI, calendar and contacts, some Bridge modifications for those who have a BlackBerry smartphone and interestingly enough, the Android App Player add-on that will grant you access to a bigger choice of Android apps in the BlackBerry App World. The new release contains 505MB of code which can be downloaded either through your Playbook  Settings or here. In addition you can learn more and watch some walkthrough demos in this link. Other than that, you can hit the jump, read the full PR announcement or watch the latest video ad.

[via CrackBerry]

[youtube id=”oxZK2VJyqYs”]

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Available Today

New OS delivers an enriched user experience for BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) announced that the new BlackBerry® PlayBook™ OS 2.0 will be released for download today. BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 delivers an enhanced tablet experience and allows you to use the BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day – at work and at play. “Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s proven web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support,” said David J. Smith, SVP Mobile Computing, Research In Motion.

New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:

• Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.

• Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.

• Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® Bridge™ is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBM™, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.

• Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® Balance ™ allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.

• New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World™ today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

In conjunction with the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is making available an initial release of BlackBerry® Mobile Fusion that will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones2 in an enterprise. The full release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion (with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices) is planned for general availability in late March 2012. For more information about BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, please visit www.blackberry.com/mobilefusion. Availability The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update is now available as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

Applications, Mobile

The Apps That Make The BlackBerry Bold 9790 Best For Business

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BlackBerry has built its reputation on its relationship with the business world. More than any other smartphone, BlackBerry’s long association with the corporate market has provided a good base for its success. The success of iOS and the growth of Android in 2011 has undoubtedly left manufacturer RIM in a weaker position in the UK, having been pushed into third place. However, the release of the new Bold range in 2011, with the Bold 9790 at the centre of the campaign, and the release of the new operating system, BB7, means BlackBerry is taking on its competitors and reinforcing its position in the business world.

The Bold 9790 includes many of the same features that have made BlackBerry a popular business brand, including the ability to set up different email accounts and instant messages, to multitask and browse the web while working on other platforms. It also includes some new features, like the ability to separate a personal and business profile within the one device. There are also different apps that can be downloaded to further utilize and maximise the ability of the Bold 9790 to meet the needs of the business community. Here are the top five.

Social Media networks like Twitter are becoming increasingly important for businesses as they allow people to share their commercial knowledge and connect their brand with consumers. Apps like UberSocial are ideal for BlackBerry as they allow users to manage multiple accounts and tweet easily on the move using the devices QWERTY keyboard.

Dropbox is a feature many will use day to day in work, allowing them to share documents and material remotely. BlackBerry App world has a version of the software that allows users to share and read documents on their drop box on their device.

Battery Booster is ideal for those who need their BlackBerry from the beginning to the end of the working day and might not have access to a charger. The app stops different applications which are draining the battery to ensure optimum performance and saving battery life for those apps you need most.

BlackBerry Traffic provides an up to date service which can be vital to make sure you get to meetings and appointments on time. The app gives information about roads that are closed and plans routes, gives an idea of traffic congestions and provides an estimated time of arrival making it easier to plan a journey.

The business day can be a busy one and often it is difficult to keep up to date with what is happening in the world. BlackBerry News is an app providing an RSS feed of the latest news headlines, allowing users to scroll through and get an update on developments. Easily to scroll through and read it makes it easier to catch up on the train or over lunch.

Apple and Android have both been making inroads into the business market over the last twelve months. RIM has seen its BlackBerry phone deals fall below a 20% share in the UK smartphone market. Their new launch of the Bold range, in particular the 9790 and the new OS7 is designed to catch up with its competitors and provide a new and improved platforms for the business market. These apps are designed for BlackBerry to make the working day a little bit easier.

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This Article was written by Simon Drew from Best Mobile Contracts

tablets

BlackBerry PlayBook Gets a Native Facebook Application

While the rest of the world is still waiting for Facebook to finally release a native app for the iPad, Blackberry Playbook from RIM is one of the first tablets to have it. As of today, anyone who gets their hands on the 7-inch, QNX-based slate, can now download the most-anticipated Facebook app and start connecting with their family members, share photos/videos, post stuff on their wall or have a chat with friends. In addition to that, the Canadian corp is said to release a new Video Chat application as well and make it available to download on May 3rd (Today!). More on that at BlackBerry World, which takes place between May 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. Hit the jump to read the full press releases.

 

Continue reading BlackBerry PlayBook Gets a Native Facebook Application →

tablets

RIM’s PlayBook is Getting Its Very Own Email Client

Rim’s 7-inch capacitive Playbook tablet is already available for a pre-order, but the single fact that it doesn’t come with a native email client has already made the blogsphere whine and grumble about it quite a lot. But not anymore. According to a Bloomberg report, RIM’s Co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, has been updating that the company’s forthcoming slate will be getting the full-fledged business environment support and provided hints for a possible “over the air email client to announce very very soon…” – Hit the jump to watch the interview.

tablets

Blackberry Playbook Now Available for Pre-Order at $499, Launches April 19th (Update: Now On Sale)

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It was Apple that set the price of the iPad at a standard $499 for a 16GB WiFi only version, and now it seems to work fine for all major players in this overcrowded market. RIM was the latest manufacturer to adopt this new pricing model. The Canadian company, originally known for their Blackberry smartphones, has just announced an April 19th release date for their BlackBerry PlayBook line of tablets, both in Canada and the US. And as you might be able to understand from the above, RIM’s average sales price followed the same pattern that Cupertino had already begun to offer: $499 for the 16GB version, $599 for the 32GB model and $699 for the 64GB flavor. Canadian retailers such as Best Buy and Future Shop are also expect to sell the Playbook for around the same price, only in local currency. Full PR after the break.

Update1: And the rumor was right on spot, RIM just announced that its upcoming Playbook tablet will support both BlackBerry Java and Android apps. Great news, considering the fact this would actually include native C/C++ development support, HTML5, Flash and AIR support. Clearly a move that significantly impact the Playbook apps market. More about it after the break.

Update2: And looks like RIM’s latest and greatest dual-core Playbook device is finally up for a purchase, both in Canada and the US, while prices on Uncle Sam’s biggest electronic retailer, Best Buy, start at $500 for the 16GB model, and climb up to $600 for the 32GB model and $700 for the 64GB flavor. Tablet wars are definitely on the rise, now!

Update3: According to analysts, the Playbook sold an estimated 25,000 tablets in pre-order stage and another 20,000 in retail stores. “If correct, 45K+ sell through on the first day would be a success,” Misek wrote in his research note (Analyst Peter Misek of Jeffries & Co).

 

Continue reading Blackberry Playbook Now Available for Pre-Order at $499, Launches April 19th (Update: Now On Sale) →

tablets

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Gets a Comprehensive Video Demo

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The Blackberry Playbook tablet has been pretty elusive so far. But thanks to RIM’s David Neale, who recently gave a talk at Rogers TabLife TO conference, we finally got a huge piece of the pie, and suffice it to say we’re pretty impressed. The 10.1-inch prototype device which was unveiled on stage in a very thorough 17 minute walkthrough video features RIM Playbook’s impeccable HD video playback capabilities, along with the smooth and very responsive multy-touch UI and the fact that this powerful dual-core device will indeed support 4G connectivity. Already curious? Hit the jump to watch the video.

Update: Word on the street is that Motorola’s 10-inch Honeycomb tablet will presumably include a 1GHz Tegra 2 T20 chip, along with a 1280 x 800 multitouch screen, 512MB of RAM, an integrated gyroscope and 32GB of storage. Ports wise, there’s an HDMI out paired with a microSD card slot, a micro USB hub, a 3.5mm headphone jack and some sort of a proprietary output, for a possible future dock. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come.

[via Electronista]

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News, tablets

RIM’s PlayBook is The New BlackBerry Tablet

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Hot on the heels of Apple’s iPad, there’s a new beauty prince hoping to make its name on the international stage in the form of RIM PlayBook – or in its most common name – the BlackBerry tablet. The newly crowned 7-inch (1024 x 600) capacitive touchscreen slate is planned to include a 1GHz dual-core processor and run along a specially designated BlackBerry Tablet OS. According to RIM’s CEO, Mike Lazaridis, who recently spoke at Research In Motion’s annual BlackBerry Developer Conference, the PlayBook would be “an incredible gaming platform for publishers and the players.” With a powerful Cortex A9 CPU inside, paired with 16GB / 32GB of storage capacity, a microUSB hub, HDMI, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth and 1080p HD video support, we – gadget junkies – have got now all the reasons to start believing and embrace the top executive words. It can easily play any Flash content or be used for video conference talks, thanks to the two integrated cameras – a 5 megapixel rear one, and another 3 megapixel up front. And while most specific details about price or availability are yet to be determined, you can find the full PR announcement, along with specs list and RIM’s official video right after the jump spot.

Update1: We’ve just added a nice comparison chart that would make it more easier for you to find which tablet (whether it’s a BlackBerry Playbook, Apple’s iPad, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, or Dell’s Streak device) you’d like to try for yourself or maybe even buy. Check it out after the break. (courtesy of Engadget).

Update2: RIM has just confirmed that its upcoming Playbook tablet will indeed be offered to consumers with either 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage capacities. Furthermore, the mobile company has pledged that it will also include a huge 5,300mAh battery with its brand new BlackBerry tablet – which means significant amount of extra time to work. checkout the latest video half past the break.

Update3: RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis just demoed the new RIM PlayBook machine onstage at Adobe’s MAX conference, along with Adobe’s Kevin Lynch. As you might expect from such event, the new “BlackBerry tablet” will indeed run both Flash and Air formats pretty well. Hey! You can see the video evidence yourself, right after the break.

Update4: Bloomberg is quoting RIM’s co-CEO Jim Balsillie who said that RIM’s 7-inch tablet will be under $500 when it gets official Stateside, in the first quarter of 2011.

Update5: Bloomberg is citing “three people familiar with the matter” who said that RIM is deftly working on this secret project to assimilate Google’s 130,000 Android apps withing its upcoming PlayBook machines. Interesting!

Update6: And…looks like a RIM sales guy just been caught saying “we will also support Android apps when we release the Dalvik engine on top of QNX.” See for yourselves, after the break.

Continue reading RIM’s PlayBook is The New BlackBerry Tablet →

Computers, News

RIM BlackBerry Tablet Rumored For Q4

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Color us surprised, the boys at BGR report they’ve officially “confirmed with multiple sources” that RIM is about to join the trendy tablets sphere (around December) with a piece of their own, which will allegedly pack  an 8.9-inch screen (hopefully capacitive touchscreen), paired with WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity that will serve this “companion” slate when connected to your phone. Yes, it’s going to be one of those tablet machines that reside next to a mobile device, rather than having 3G capabilities ingrained – so things should be taken in the right proportions, despite the lack of substantial information at this point. Even though, it would definitely support media consuming platform that will grant you access to popular features such as e-books, web browsing, emails, photo viewing and more. Stay tuned for more details to come.

[via BGR]