BB Playbook OS 2.1 Beta available

[Bateluer]

http://mobilesyrup.com/2012/05/31/blackberry-playbook-os-2-1-beta-now-available-to-download/

For all the BlackBerry PlayBook developers out there who want to give OS 2.1 a try before it’s officially released to the public can do so today. RIM promised and has followed through by pushing out OS 2.1 in beta. This brings the following updates:

- 3 major enhancements to the Android Runtime in 2.1.0:
> Each Android app will now run in its own window.
> Access to the Camera hardware is now supported for Android apps
> In-App Payment is now supported through the BlackBerry Payment SDK
- Full device encryption is now supported
- Screenshots are now saved in PNG format
- Portrait support for Email, Calendar and Contacts
- Improved folder support including IMAP folder support

RIM states that “The other 2.1 features will come full steam when the new OS is commercially released. The 2.1 Android SDK will be released in beta coinciding with the OS release.” No word on when this will leave beta, but you can check out all the details and download it here via RIM.

Any Playbook owners taking it for a spin?

 

[Deeko]

I'll toss it on at some point. Portrait support in the email app is certainly welcome. The biggest change here is allowing camera access for Android apps - now things like Skype can be ported, it opens up a whole new tier of apps. That will take time for devs to take advantage of, though.

I heard elsewhere that 2.1 will also included an updated Bridge that allows texting on the PlayBook through the Bridge - that's definitely a cool feature. I might have to put my SIM back in my Bold and give that a whirl if its true.

 

[3chordcharlie]

It's live now. Installed last night.

Main features are:

- portrait mode for email/calendar (this was a surprisingly annoying omission for me)
- per-folder sync for IMAP (was previously limited to In/Sent/Drafts sync, or something)
- bridge now handles SMS
- bridge can communicate over wifi (note: currently through your LAN, not peer to peer).
- improved android player has access to camera, and seems to handle multiple android apps open better

It seems like they also improved their predictive text. I still can't see a way to make the 5-row portrait keyboard standard though.