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Tag: BlackBerry PlayBook

  • RIM Releases BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 Update

    The BlackBerry PlayBook is the underdog of the tablet world. It wasn’t so hot at launch, but later updates to the software got a lot of things right. Unfortunately for RIM, the tablet has only managed shipped a little under 2 million units. The tablet does have its fans though and RIM is continuing to take care of them.

    The company that BlackBerry built announced today that the the PlayBook OS has been updated to version 2.1. It adds a number of new features to the tablet, but RIM thinks you will want to download the update for these three reasons:

    Updated BlackBerry Bridge: Now you can view, respond and compose new SMS messages on their BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet when connected to a BlackBerry smartphone over Bluetooth®. You’ll also enjoy increased performance and speed of other BlackBerry Bridge functions as well. So you can do more, more efficiently. Txt away, my friends.

    Email and PIM Enhancements: You’ve asked for it and we’ve delivered portrait support for email, calendar and contacts, giving you the option to use your tablet in either orientation to message. This will definitely come in handy for those of you who enjoy thumb typing in portrait mode like I do.

    Improved Android Application Support: Includes Multi-Window Applications, Camera Support and In-App Payments. We all love a richer app experience, and with the improvements to the Android runtime, that’s just what you’ll get. Running the applications in separate windows allows you to multi-task between Android apps easier, and in-app payments will make it easier for you to enhance your app content. Game on!

    The update also brings with it a number of enterprise features. PlayBook tablets can now enroll in the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion via a wireless connection. This means that IT administrators can now push updates over-the-air to everybody’s PlayBooks. It also now has full device encryption to protect sensitive and classified information that may be stored on the device.

    PlayBook users should be receiving an update notification today telling them to upgrade to version 2.1 of the OS. If not, you can also just go to “Software Updates” under the settings menu to get the update manually.

  • RIM Exec Clarifies Claims About PlayBook Sideloading

    Last week on Twitter Alec Saunders, Vice President of Developer Relations for RIM, stirred up some controversy with statements about future support for sideloading in the next version of the BlackBerry PlayBook operating system. In case you’re not familiar, sideloading is the ability to load apps onto a device without going through an official app market. It’s a feature of Android that has caused some problems for Android developers, as it can be used to load pirated apps on to Android phones and tablets.

    RIM, it seems, does not want BlackBerry App World to wind up like Google Play, which Saunders called a “chaotic cesspool” of piracy:

    @asaunders
    Alec Saunders    @blondeboyofdoom piracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don’t want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android market 5 days ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    The day before, Saunders said that RIM would be removing sideloading from PlayBook OS 2.1, citing developers’ piracy concerns:

    @asaunders
    Alec Saunders    @blondeboyofdoom piracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don’t want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android market 5 days ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    When questioned, he said that sideloading for consumers would be getting the ax, but that developers would continue to be able to test their apps:

    @asaunders
    Alec Saunders    @Spy520e we’re removing sideloading for consumers. Pretty sure we’ve got a solution for devs. 5 days ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    The tweets produced a fair bit of controversy when they came to light late yesterday and this morning, prompting Saunders to post to the BlackBerry Dev Blog to clarify the situation. Leaving sideloading available for consumers, he said, enables piracy. The purpose of the feature is to allow developers and their beta testing communities to test apps. He went on to say that PlayBook OS 2.1 would not, after all, be losing sideloading. Instead, it would include “a feature that will encrypt apps so they can only be run by the user who purchased the app.”

    In other words, you can technically sideload an app onto your PlayBook, but only if you’ve purchased it. This is actually the same model that Apple users. An iOS app can be loaded onto an iOS device by copying it from any source – a USB data stick, for example – into your iTunes library. However, it will only run on an iOS device if the user purchased it, or has been authorized by the person who purchased it.

    What do you think? Should RIM have left sideloading alone in PlayBook OS? Is app piracy as big an issue as Saunders claims? Let us know in the comments.

  • BlackBerry 7, Playbook Facebook App, Voice Chat, New Bolds, Enterprise Improvements, and More From RIM

    Research in Motion (RIM) followed up last week’s announcement of the Tungle acquisition with a slew of announcements today. Let’s just take them one-by-one.

    1. BlackBerry Mobile Voice System 5 Availability for More Corporate Phone Systems

    RIM announced that BlackBerry MVS 5 with voice over Wi-Fi calling will soon be available for Avaya Aura 6.1, Avaya CS1000 Communication Server, as well as legacy phone systems such as Avaya Communications Manager and Nortel Communication Server.

    Currently, it’s also available for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Cisco Call Manager Express, and Mitel Communications Director. RIM says it’s also been re-architected to be more extensible with third party apps and phone systems.

    2. BlackBerry Balance Launched

    RIM announced the launch of BlackBerry Balance, which is described as an advancement for work-life balance for BlackBerry users. Or more specifically, “new technology that makes possible the convenience of using a single BlackBerry smartphone for both work and personal purposes without compromising the security of company content and the privacy of personal content.”

    Features include:

    • Secure access to business info, with prevention of the copying of info sent from or used by apps like Facebook, Twitter, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, or Gmail.
    • Business data cannot be used by personal apps
    • When a user attempts a prohibited action, a notification is displayed
    • If an employee leaves an organization, an admin can wipe info from the device remotely

    It’s built into BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.3 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express 5.0.3 for Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino. It requires the latest version of BlackBerry 6.

    3. BlackBerry Enterprise Solution for Smartphones and Tablets

    RIM announced plans for a multi-platform BlackBerry Enteprise Solution for managing and securing mobile devices for enterprises and government organizations. This comes as the company is acquiring Ubitexx.

    “The multi-platform BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is designed to address a growing market and respond to requests from enterprise customers who want a secure multi-platform device management solution from a company that already delivers the gold standard for enterprise mobility,” said Peter Devenyi, VP, Communications Platform Group at RIM. “We recognize the opportunity to continue leading in the enterprise market by providing customers with a common platform to help simplify the management of a variety of mobile devices.”

    4. Video Chat App for BlackBerry Playbook

    RIM announced the availability of the BlackBerry Playbook Video Chat app. This comes on the heels of video chat announcements from Google and Skype’s Qik.

    “BlackBerry is a renowned mobile communication solution for connecting users to the people and information that matter most throughout their day,” said Tom Goguen, VP, Collaboration and Social Networking at RIM. “With the BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat application we are excited to be enabling our customers to share important moments and events with family and friends via video calls.  With the BlackBerry PlayBook’s high-resolution video cameras and stunning display, a Video Chat call is the next best thing to being there.”

    5. Facebook App for BlackBerry Playbook

    RIM announced the launch of the Facebook for BlackBerry Playbook app, giving the tablet an official Facebook app even before Apple’s iPad gets one. The Facebook experience, with the app, is optimized for the 7″ multi-touch screen.

    “There are over 30 million users of our Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app who are staying in touch with their social network while on the go,” said Tom Goguen, VP, Collaboration and Social Networking at Research In Motion, “Now with Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook we can also offer customers highly engaging social experiences optimized for the PlayBook including the ability to share FaceBook pictures and videos with friends and family on an HDTV.”

    6. BlackBerry 7 OS and New BlackBerry Bolds

    Finally, RIM has announced the launch two new BlackBerry Bold smartphones. This includes the Bold 9900 and the Bold 9930, both of which are built on the new BlackBerry 7 OS.

    BlackBerry 7 promises improved browsing, a faster user experience, voice search, and better management of personal/corporate content.

    “The new BlackBerry Bold smartphones and BlackBerry 7 OS are inspired by millions of customers around the world who want the ultimate combination of performance, functionality and style,” said Mike Lazaridis, RIM President and Co-CEO. “These fully-loaded and beautifully crafted smartphones offer a highly refined user experience with blazingly fast performance, a brilliant touch screen and an outstanding typing experience.”

    The devices come with built-in NFC support, augmented reality apps, and HD video support for recording and playback. They’re expected to be available this summer.

    Further details of the OS and the device specs can be seen here.

  • New Tablet from RIM, Amazon Making a Tablet Too?

    Amazon may have launched a new web version of its Kindle software, but rumor has it that it is also launching its own Android app store and possibly even its own tablet. 

    MG Siegler at TechCrunch says Amazon is on the verge of releasing an Android-based App store,  but will also release its own iPad competitor. These are unconfirmed rumors at this point, but it could give Amazon another leg up over e-reader competitors as well as tablet makers. 

    Meanwhile, RIM has unveiled its new tablet – the BlackBerry PlayBook:

    "RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world’s most robust and flexible operating systems," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. "The BlackBerry PlayBook solidly hits the mark with industry leading power, true multitasking, uncompromised web browsing and high performance multimedia."

    The PlayBook is expected to be available in early 2011, missing the holiday season.