PlayBook OS 2.0

Software
February 21, 2012
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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 finally brings native email to RIM’s tablet

By on February 21, 2012 at 7:30 AM.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 finally brings native email to RIM’s tablet

Right on schedule — sort of — Research In Motion announced on Tuesday that the first major update for its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is now available for download. The highly anticipated update brings a number of much needed functionality to the PlayBook, but the most notable additions are certainly the arrival of native email, contacts and calendar functionality. BlackBerry Messenger support is still absent from the PlayBook as RIM said it would be, but BlackBerry Bridge has been updated, plenty of new social functionality has been added, RIM’s Android app player is finally on board and video chat has been enhanced as well. We took a hands on look at PlayBook OS 2.0 during the Consumer Electronics Show this past January and we can confidently say that if you own a PlayBook, you should download the new update, which will be delivered over the air, as soon as possible. More →

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Tablets
February 14, 2012
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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 said to launch on February 21st

By on February 14, 2012 at 5:45 PM.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 said to launch on February 21st

When Research In Motion released its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the device had its fair share of problems. RIM promised an operating system update that would address these problems but the launch was delayed by several months. A new report from N4BB claims the official release of the PlayBook 2.0 update is set for February 21st, just over a week later than the company initially planned. The PlayBook OS 2.0 update will include native email, calendar and contacts apps, but unfortunately native BBM will remain absent from the tablet and can only be accessed through BlackBerry Bridge. More →

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Tablets
October 25, 2011
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RIM confirms PlayBook OS 2.0 delays, shipping in February without BlackBerry Messenger

By on October 25, 2011 at 8:05 PM.

RIM confirms PlayBook OS 2.0 delays, shipping in February without BlackBerry Messenger

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 in February

BGR exclusively reported earlier today that Research In Motion was facing serious challenges getting native apps such as email, BlackBerry Messenger and more working on the BlackBerry PlayBook. In a post blog a few minutes ago, the company has confirmed that the PlayBook OS 2.0 update won’t be released until February. Additionally, RIM also relayed issues with BlackBerry Messenger integration, noting that BlackBerry Messenger will not be included in the native apps bundle of PlayBook OS 2.0, instead coming at a later date.

“We are committed to developing a seamless BBM solution that fully delivers on the powerful, push based messaging capabilities recognized today by BlackBerry users around the world and we’re still working on it.”

The company confirmed that BlackBerry Messenger can still be used by connecting an existing BlackBerry smartphone with data plan over Bluetooth to the BlackBerry PlayBook using BlackBerry Bridge. Read on for a link to RIM’s full announcement. More →

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Exclusive
October 25, 2011
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RIM to release PlayBook OS 2.0 mid-February, still struggling with multi-device BBM support

By on October 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM.

RIM to release PlayBook OS 2.0 mid-February, still struggling with multi-device BBM support

BGR reported exclusive details of RIM’s upcoming BBX-based smartphone code-named the BlackBerry Colt earlier this year, and we have since heard that there is going to be a big emphasis on video calling with the company’s first super smartphone. This obviously means the device will feature a front-facing camera. As far as the BlackBerry PlayBook goes, RIM recently demoed OS 2.0 for the PlayBook, an update to the original OS that brings Android app compatibility along with native email and PIM access. As we reported before, however, there were tremendous obstacles that have prevented Research In Motion from shipping native email, calendar, contacts, BlackBerry Messenger, and other core system apps on the new QNX-based operating system. RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said during the company’s last earnings call that the PlayBook would see an update in October but unfortunately, RIM is still struggling with these challenges. Hit the break for more. More →

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Software
October 21, 2011
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BBX 2.0 demo shows Android apps running on BlackBerry PlayBook [video]

By on October 21, 2011 at 1:05 PM.

BBX 2.0 demo shows Android apps running on BlackBerry PlayBook [video]

Earlier this week, Research In Motion introduced the developer beta of BBX OS 2.0, which supports the Eclipse Android development platform on the company’s BlackBerry PlayBook. On Friday, one developer released a video that shows a number of Android applications running on a tablet. We’ve seen a clip of a PlayBook running Android apps from RIM before, but now we have raw footage from an outside source. The video shows a folder on the main home screen called “Android Apps” that is populated with IM+ Pro, IMDb, Gmail, Amazon Kindle, Kik Messenger, Google Places and more, which suggests that a wide range of apps will work on the device. We’re impressed with what we see so far; the apps run without any issue and take just a few seconds to load. We last heard Android support was delayed until late fall and, since it was just pushed to developers, we may have some time left to wait until the feature is released to consumers. Hit the break for the full video of Android apps in action on the PlayBook. More →

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