You might wonder why I a guy who seemingly can do nothing but bash RIM would want to say anything at all good about them, and my answer back to you would be $118 32GB Playbook. Clearly this is a case of not eating some of RIM's dog food, but now that I have I've got to say something about it.
This first post will be about the Playbook itself, things like the hardware specs, good vs. bad, and my setup and use of the device. The last part of the post will be the top 10 great things about the device and why I am using this everyday (at least for the time being) over my ASUS Transformer.
Hardware Specifications:
Here are the specs for the Playbook:
Size:. 7 inches
Weight: 425 grams
Screen Res:. 1024 x 600
CPU: Dual core 1GHz Cortex A9
GPU: PowerVR SGX540
RAM:. 1GB
Chipset: TI OMAP 4430
Cameras: 2
Rear Res:. 5MP, video at 1080p, 30fps
Front Res: 3MP, video at 1080p, 30fps
Sensors: Accerometer, Gyro
GPS:. Yes
Battery: 5300 mAh Lithium Polymer
There is so much good hardware packed into this thing that even today it could be considered one of the best 7' tablets, and it was released in April 2011! I think that is pretty amazing even vs. some of the tablets out there today.
The Good:
- Speed: The tablet is super fast and responsive. Whenever you load something on the device there is no notable lag up until the point that you have exceeded the device memory.
- Multi-Tasking: Both Apple and Google could take a page out of RIM's book on how to do multi-tasking. It is literally the best multi-tasking that I have seen on a mobile device yet.
- Form Factor & Feel: The playbook is a solid device and a pleasure to hold. I now feel that my ASUS Transformer is huge and much prefer to hold a 7' device. I would actually buy a 7' device going forward (that is if I don't go to a 5' galaxy note) as it is much easier to deal with.
- Sound: Some of the best speakers and sound output that I have had with a device.
- Blackberry Bridge: This is an amazing feature for the Playbook if you have an blackberry phone.
- Android Player: Brilliant move putting this in RIM, has taken my Playbook from being a tablet devoid of decent software to a tablet with moderately good software that can be supplemented from the Google Play store.
- Intuitive use: They say that Apple has intuitive pegged, but the way you interact with the Playbook is super easy and I find myself trying to use it's gestures when I go back to using my ASUS Transformer.
- Thumb Typing: Because the tablet is smaller, you can use your thumbs to type when it is in Portrait mode.
- Software: Though we do have the Android runtime and there are starting to be some other decent apps in Blackberry App world, there still is not enough software to keep a person interested if they didn't use this solely for an office tool alongside a blackberry phone.
- No External Storage: Not an entirely bad thing, but you do not have the option to expand memory if you happen to burn through all your storage. I did briefly have a 16GB model and had run out of space rather quickly.
- No easy way to share information: Perhaps I have been spoiled by the 'Share' menu on Android, but you pretty much need to copy and paste things between apps in order to share information with other people. Not really a downside, but something that I would really like to see.
- Requires Windows (if you don't use a wifi file manager): You definitely need windows if you want to sideload any programs on to the device, but you will almost certainly need to use the Android app 'ES File Explorer' to move files between computers over wifi.
My setup:
One of the biggest downsides to the device (as I eluded to above) is the fact that there is not a lot of software out there for it. Once you initially get the device you want to load it up with some software, maybe a few games, but once you jump into BlackBerry app world you run out of things to install really quick. In my case, these are literally the only apps from app world on my device:
Citrix
Photo Studio
Wifi File Explorer
Starfront: Collision
Shadowgun
CreaVures
Absolutely everything else on my device is an Android app that I converted over from my ASUS Transformer.
This is pretty much the fundamental problem with the device. Everything else about the device is fantastic, but you are really limited to what you can do because of the software selection. I have no doubt that almost any device could be successful if they have the ecosystem, particularly BlackBerry, they just need the development support.
Hopefully they spruce this up for the BB10 release next year, I am already hearing good things about the upcoming OS. If they were smart, they would increase the compatibility with Android games by emulating a specific set of hardware that is compatible with Android. If they could make the process of installing Android applications easier, I think they would have a lot better luck marketing these devices to people, it would be the perfect fall back for the platform allowing them some time to get their own app store in order.
Blackberry Integration:
One thing that I have quite enjoyed is the integration with a blackberry device, it makes wireless tethering simple and seamless. What it also does, that you may not notice initially is that it gives you that 'smartphone' feeling, for those of us that only have a blackberry.
Anyone who carries a Blackberry for work has terrible smartphone envy, because we have all used an iPhone or Android device and know how much more functional they are. Whenever we have to go back to that Blackberry device after playing with an actual smartphone we are thoroughly disappointed because:
a) its OS is old and does not come close to any modern OS
b) the blackberry has restrictive corporate policies in place to the point where it is IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy using the device.
The Playbook fixes this problem and gives you that iPhone/Android feeling. Because it uses Blackberry Bridge to access the 'corporate' side of your Playbook, you can access your corporate mail and other locked down applications but can also install whatever you want and feel free to use that in conjunction with your corporate apps.
If you cannot justify having another cell phone because your place of employment provides you with a Blackberry, do not hesitate to pick up a Playbook and start to actually enjoy using your Blackberry.
My Future Playbook Use:
Now... I have to admit that I meant to have this post out months ago, when I initially purchased the device and was in love with it. Since I purchased the playbook I have also upgraded from a Samsung Galaxy GIO to a Samsung Galaxy 2X, which is really doing the job for me when I am on the go and I don't really feel like pulling out a 7' tablet.
But going forward, I will continue to use my Playbook as a gaming and media consumption device, just not as much as I would have before getting my S2X. What I am really looking forward to is January 30th when all the Blackberry announcements come out relating to BB10 and the future of RIM. I am setting myself up for disappointment with the expectation that they will improve the Android runtime, that they will include a DLNA client and also do some work to fix all the basic things you would need to use the Playbook as a media consumption device. Actually, now that I think of it, I would really look forward to having the social hub, I really enjoyed using that on my Blackberry before corporate policy ripped that pleasure away from me.
Here's hoping that January 30th comes with a lot of pleasant surprises for all the Blackberry faithful that are patiently awaiting a decent update to rekindle faith in the platform.
Feel free to ask me some questions on the Playbook. I still have a couple of posts ahead of me on the Playbook. I am looking to document (mostly for my own benefit) detailed instructions on how to convert Android applications to Playbook BAR files and some tricks and tips that I have learned over time.
