BlackBerry PlayBook news, tips, tricks and fanboy enthusiasm thread

[yllus]

I've been reading a lot of PlayBook news lately and have even dipped a toe into developing apps for it. I figure that it'd be useful to have a thread to consolidate and discuss news/tips/apps for the tablet.

This thread says "fanboy enthusiasm thread" in the title, but that's not to say that critical comments aren't welcome in this thread. That said, some irrational exuberance about the tablet will surely get written, and it'd be nice if replies to those comments don't devolve into a back and forth argument.

For the rest of this post, maybe we can create a list of useful links and apps? Please contribute them if you've got 'em.

Useful Links

- CrackBerry.com - The best site for PlayBook news.
- BlackBerry App World - The app store for BlackBerry devices.
- Inside BlackBerry - The official BlackBerry blog.
- Engadget posts tagged with 'Playbook' - Decent news summary about the device.

Popular Apps

- Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook
- Blaq for BlackBerry PlayBook
- BlackBerry News App for PlayBook
- Poynt for BlackBerry PlayBook
- Scrapbook
- IMT VNC Client
- LiteFTP
- BlueBox for BlackBerry PlayBook
- AIR Browser
- PlayDoom
- XBMC Remote
- Box for BlackBerry PlayBook
- VEVO

Needed Improvements

- Native e-mail application
- Native contacts application
- Native calendar/schedule application
- Official Twitter application
- Better tap to resize experience in the Web browser; tapping a column of text will fit that column to the screen, but doesn't resize it horizontally so you end up using the scrollbar
- Ability to change the browser user agent



Please keep this thread on topic - which is the Playbook and how to tweak it and tips on using it. Please refrain from discussions about RIM's finances, marketshare or anything that is not specifically about the Playbook.

Thanks
Moderator PM

 

[yllus]

In the news this morning...

National Post - Russian government considers banning iPad, adopting RIM, reports say

Research In Motion Ltd. may have found a new ally in its quest to establish the BlackBerry PlayBook as the default tablet within the corridors of power around the world: the Russian government.

Reports from several Russian newspapers — including the daily business publication RBK Daily — indicate the Russian government is considering a ban on Apple Inc.’s iPad inside government agencies due to security concerns, instead opting for more “cryptographically secure tablet PCs.”

The reports suggest the government is still deciding whether it will use devices from RIM, tablets running Google Inc.’s Android software or a new device created by a Russian agency using “a variety of security systems.” The implementation of a more secure system will help “speed up workflow among agencies” according to the report.

If true, the backing of the Russian government could prove to be another victory for RIM as it seeks to use its reputation of prioritizing security technology to position the BlackBerry PlayBook as the tablet of choice for businesses and governments, the way it originally marketed its BlackBerry smartphones.

Indeed, it was RIM’s security technology which helped the company’s BlackBerry devices to become the gold standard of mobile devices for government agencies around the world, including the Canadian government and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Last week, RIM announced the United States government had granted the BlackBerry PlayBook “FIPS 140-2 certification,” making it the first tablet approved for use by employees of U.S. federal government agencies.

Since launching earlier this year, RIM’s first tablet has struggled in the consumer market to keep pace with Apple Inc.’s iPad, which currently commands 61.3% of the market, compared to about 3.3% for the PlayBook, according to data from market research firm Strategy Analytics.

RIM was criticized for its decision to not include a native email client on the BlackBerry PlayBook – users can access their email by wirelessly connecting their PlayBook to their BlackBerry smartphone — however RIM officials have maintained that by ensuring no email data is stored on the PlayBook itself, the device is more secure for government IT departments.

 

[shortylickens]

Wish I could get enthusiastic but I already returned mine a while ago. Signed up for some Playbook forums and there was absolutely nothing going on with any of them. If its still around a year from now and has much better support I may consider looking into it again.


Sadly Apples powerhouse is so good its killing innovation from the other sectors.

 

[Alone]

Wish I could get enthusiastic but I already returned mine a while ago. Signed up for some Playbook forums and there was absolutely nothing going on with any of them. If its still around a year from now and has much better support I may consider looking into it again.

The Crackberry forums are great...the Playbook section specifically is very helpful.

As for the topic, there's a leaked image of a playbook with options for e-mail/contacts/calendar. No real source, but rumour has it that it's being beta tested by employees and will likely roll out in the next update.

Also, the Android player leak has yielded a fair amount of success. I would not recommend installing it at this time as it's still buggy and not integrated in the manner RIM has planned for it. Lots of apps work, but there have been issues with people trying to remove it.

RIM projects an end-summer release of the Android player, whether or not that happens is obviously up for debate.

 

[gsaldivar]

IMHO, the biggest plus the Playbook has right now is FIPS certification. While Android tablets lead the way with variety and an "open" ecosystem, this double-edged sword puts Android at a disadvantage when it comes to security and certification for government use.

If RIM can pull out of its nosedive and capitalize on this advantage, I think they have a good chance making their tablet platform a leading choice for enterprise/government use.

 

[yllus]

IMHO, the biggest plus the Playbook has right now is FIPS certification. While Android tablets lead the way with variety and an "open" ecosystem, this double-edged sword puts Android at a disadvantage when it comes to security and certification for government use.

If RIM can pull out of its nosedive and capitalize on this advantage, I think they have a good chance making their tablet platform a leading choice for enterprise/government use.

I wonder what tablet adoption is like in government? I work in the "digital media" of a very large media company and we have a smatter of iPads that routinely make it into meetings, plus three or four PlayBooks that I know of. Both the iPads and the PlayBooks aren't currently allowed by IT onto the network.

 

[zoiks]

I've never seen anyone ever use a playbook. Heck I've never seen anyone use/play with the ones on display at the bestbuy/Frys stores.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I'd be more interested in seeing the "more secure" Russian version. It's probably a Chinese made Android tablet that comes with a guard that shoots you in the head if you do something fishy.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Thanks for this thread, Sully. With all the anti RIM sentiment here I'd not bothered.

The one thing I'd really like is for the LED to be used for notification instead of the glowing corners.

 

[lupi]

I've never seen anyone ever use a playbook. Heck I've never seen anyone use/play with the ones on display at the bestbuy/Frys stores.

i've never seen a tablet outside of a store.

 

[Deeko]

Thanks for this thread, Sully. With all the anti RIM sentiment here I'd not bothered.

The one thing I'd really like is for the LED to be used for notification instead of the glowing corners.

This is a growing industry trend, and I really don't like it. If you ask me, its one of the biggest drawbacks to iDevices, so I do t really understand why its being emulated everywhere. The PlayBook, Windows Phone 7, Galaxy S phones (well, my Vibrant at least) are all notification-less.

 

[sjwaste]

FIPS certification is good, but if they integrated a smartcard reader, they could really make some penetration into a couple of larger Departments.

 

[DivideBYZero]

This is a growing industry trend, and I really don't like it. If you ask me, its one of the biggest drawbacks to iDevices, so I do t really understand why its being emulated everywhere. The PlayBook, Windows Phone 7, Galaxy S phones (well, my Vibrant at least) are all notification-less.

Well yeah, but at least it has a multi-colour LED, I just wish they'd use it in an update.

 

[Deeko]

Well yeah, but at least it has a multi-colour LED, I just wish they'd use it in an update.

Similar with WP7. Many of the devices (particularly the HTCs) have LEDs, but they only use them to indicate charging, not notifications.

I happen to like my notification blinks.

 

[shortylickens]

My HD7 would be perfect if it could notify me like The Droid.

 

[alent1234]

This is a growing industry trend, and I really don't like it. If you ask me, its one of the biggest drawbacks to iDevices, so I do t really understand why its being emulated everywhere. The PlayBook, Windows Phone 7, Galaxy S phones (well, my Vibrant at least) are all notification-less.

most people don't obsess over their device and want to know about every little thing that happens. i use android and iOS and don't see any shortcoming in the iOS notifications as they are now

 

[Deeko]

most people don't obsess over their device and want to know about every little thing that happens. i use android and iOS and don't see any shortcoming in the iOS notifications as they are now

I am publically refusing to turn this into yet another mindless debate over why someone prefers platform x over platform y.

 

[DivideBYZero]

FIPS certification is good, but if they integrated a smartcard reader, they could really make some penetration into a couple of larger Departments.

Already done.

The BlackBerry Smartcard reader is also FIPS certified and communicates with devices over Bluetooth.

 

[sjwaste]

Already done.

The BlackBerry Smartcard reader is also FIPS certified and communicates with devices over Bluetooth.

Integrated. For many applications where a reader would be necessary, you don't want to be carrying something that might also get lost.

I don't give a shit what cross-shoppers with iOS/Android say, since those OSes aren't Enterprise ready, IMHO. RIM needs to stick to the bread and butter with this, because the other two have gotten "close enough" for many applications. That's not really the case with government... yet.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Integrated. For many applications where a reader would be necessary, you don't want to be carrying something that might also get lost.

I don't give a shit what cross-shoppers with iOS/Android say, since those OSes aren't Enterprise ready, IMHO. RIM needs to stick to the bread and butter with this, because the other two have gotten "close enough" for many applications. That's not really the case with government... yet.

It is. Keeping the Smartcard in a device is not the way to play, as it cannot be seen or used for other devices. The SCR just sits on a belt clip or lanyard and communicates with secured devices. Very elegant, if you ask me.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i've never seen a tablet outside of a store.

get out more.

 

[DivideBYZero]

So tonight I'm working away from home and needed to do qtr end timesheets and expenses. Did the lot in my PlayBook including taking a photo of the hotel reciept and submitting it all, right from the device.

Beats busting out the laptop and waiting for Windows to boot, I'd finished up by the time that thing would have been ready, and it can't take photos.

Feeling very happy with it tonight. Also just downloaded the BedBuzz talking clock and alarm app. Really good and free, too! Give it a try.

 

[Deeko]

Android support delayed until the fall...ugh. Honestly, I really just want the Kindle app. Maybe Amazon will just release a native one...

 

[Anubis]

get out more.

eh depending on where you live its very easy to never see one when you are out

ive only ever seen them at the airport

 

[DivideBYZero]

Android support delayed until the fall...ugh. Honestly, I really just want the Kindle app. Maybe Amazon will just release a native one...

I'm hoping this is to wait to release an ICS compatible version, rather than 2.3.3.