BlackBerry PlayBook
The PlayBook is the tablet from BlackBerry. They are positioning this as a for-business tablet. How does it stack up?
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Requirement |
Met? |
Comments |
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Light-duty internet surfing |
Yes |
Flash supported |
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E-reader capability |
Yes |
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Well-developed app store |
TBD |
Too early to tell. BlackBerry apps store has lagged Apple and Android experiences. |
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Netflix access |
No |
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Access to corporate email and calendar function |
Yes |
Core functionality of the device. |
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Data access when traveling |
Yes |
Can slave to BlackBerry device for 3G and Sprint 4G will be available on the tablet |
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Playback of video content, including Media Center TV recordings and DVD rips |
Yes |
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Playback of music |
Yes |
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Remote access to your home server console |
No |
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Gaming |
Yes |
Dependent on apps market. |
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Ability to edit Excel, Word and PowerPoint files while on the go |
Yes, with optional software |
Require Documents to Go $15.99 USD |
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Handwriting recognition |
No |
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Integration with One Note |
No |
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DLNA compatibility |
TBD |
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User expandable storage |
No |
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Front and back facing cameras |
Yes |
Suitable for video calling |
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Integration with handset |
Yes |
Extended experience on BlackBerry handsets |
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Battery life |
TBD |
Probably lower than iPad |
If you are a BlackBerry user, and if you want the 7” form factor rather than the 10” or so ones, this is your tablet. The big outstanding questions in my mind revolve around application support. There is no doubt that this will be popular with current BlackBerry customers and some of the business-focused feature set will have IT comfortable with it’s presence onsite. Release in the US is expected for early 2011, with the 4G version for Sprint due in Q2 2011. Pricing is as yet undetermined. Latest rumors suggest mid-April ship date and $500 USD price.
Playbook Press Release PlayBook Portal PlayBook Specifications BlackBerry App World
Are you going to add the Tab2 tomorrow?
If money were no object I would get the xoom. If money is an object, it’s hard to beat the “value” of the ipad 1. Unless some major price reductions happen, I would put the ipad 1 second only to the ipad 2.
I didn’t include the Tab as it was not designed around Honeycomb, but Tab 2 would be in the mix. Let’s see what they announce.
What about the ExoPC? Windows 7, 4h battery life. See for yourself: http://www.exopc.com/
Ii recently had one of those in my hands for a few hours. Absolutely terrible performance. Laggy, slow, not very usable. Atom just does not cut it for this application.