| Developer | Research In Motion |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Quanta Computer |
| Release date | April 19, 2011 |
| Operating system | BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX) |
| CPU | 1 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 (Cortex-A9 dual-core) |
| Storage capacity | 16, 32, 64 GB Flash |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM |
| Display | 7" LCD display 1024×600 px (WSVGA) 16:9 aspect ratio (1080p HDMI output) |
| Graphics | PowerVR SGX540 |
| Sound | Stereo microphones, loudspeakers |
| Input | Capacitive 4-point multi-touch touchscreen GPS 3-axis accelerometer-gyroscope Magnetometer |
| Camera | 1080p HD video: 5 MP rear, 3 MP front |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Micro-USB Micro-HDMI |
| Online services | 7digital, BlackBerry App World |
| Dimensions | 194 mm (7.6 in) H 130 mm (5.1 in) W 9.7 mm (0.38 in) D |
| Weight | 425 grams (0.94 lb) |
| Website | us.blackberry.com/playbook-tablet |
The BlackBerry PlayBook is a tablet computer by Research In Motion.[1]
The PlayBook is based on the BlackBerry Tablet OS, a new operating system based on QNX Neutrino, and runs apps developed using Adobe AIR.[2] It was later announced that the BlackBerry Tablet OS would be merged with the existing BlackBerry OS to produce a new operating system, BBX (later renamed Blackberry 10) that would be used universally across RIM's product line. RIM has also announced support for applications for Android OS, allowing them to be sold and installed through the BlackBerry App World store.[3]
The device was first released for general purchase in the United States on April 19, 2011, with a second major revision to the BlackBerry PlayBook OS scheduled for a February 2012 release.[4] Early reviews were mixed saying that although the hardware was good, several features were missing. Shipments totalled approximately 500,000 unit during the first quarter of sales and 200,000 in the following quarter.[5] Much of the 700,000 units shipped to retailers remained on the shelves for months, prompting RIM to introduce dramatic price reductions to stimulate sales.[6]
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Rumors about the forthcoming computer, nicknamed the BlackPad in the press because of its expected similarity to Apple's competing iPad, had circulated for several months before the announcement.[7][8] Research In Motion co-CEO Mike Lazaridis and Adobe Systems CTO Kevin Lynch staged the first public demonstration of the PlayBook on October 25, 2010[9] onstage at the opening-day keynote of the Adobe MAX 2010 conference.
Among the features demonstrated was its tight integration with and support for Adobe AIR applications and full Flash support. According to Lazaridis, "We're not trying to dumb down the internet for a mobile device. What we've done is bring up mobile devices to the level of desktop computers". Lazaridis then announced at the end of his presentation that developers who get Adobe AIR applications approved on the BlackBerry App World would be eligible for free BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.[10] Since then, the free PlayBook offer has been extended to include WebWorks applications.
The BlackBerry PlayBook supports up to 1080p video playback. PlayBook Features a 3 MP front-facing camera for video chatting over Wi-Fi and a rear-facing 5 MP camera, both of which can record 1080p video.[11] The PlayBook has a 1024×600 WSVGA, 7-inch display and 3D graphics acceleration. It features a variety of sensors, including an InvenSense 6-axis gyroscope, magnetometer, and accelerometer. The PlayBook uses the dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP4430 Processor.[12] The BlackBerry PlayBook supports high resolution video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV), and audio (MP3, AAC 5.1, WMA 5.1 audio playback) formats. It also has a micro-HDMI port for HDMI video output. Among the PlayBook, Apple iPad, and Xoom from Motorola, the PlayBook comes in lightest at 0.9 LBs, compared to 1.33 LBs & 1.59 LBs, respectively.
BlackBerry PlayBook was released in Canada and USA on April 19, 2011; in the UK[13] and the Netherlands on June 16, 2011;[14] and was released in the United Arab Emirates on June 25, 2011.[15] Early reviews for the product have been mixed, praising the PlayBook's fluid UI, Adobe Flash supported webkit-based browser,[16] HDMI output, and multitasking capabilities. It has also been criticized since the PlayBook requires the BlackBerry for its native email and calendar applications, although third party email and calendar applications are supported. The platform also has relatively few native third party applications compared to other platforms. Following the mixed reviews, RIM's Playbook has begun to gain traction and receive better reviews, as the temporary issues are being solved. Walt Mossberg, columnist for The Wall Street Journal, wrote, "I got the strong impression RIM is scrambling to get the product to market."[17] Research In Motion's co-chief executive officer, Jim Balsillie, countered the criticism by noting that there are more than 60 million BlackBerry smartphones in use that can pair with a PlayBook.[18]
The PlayBook includes a pre-loaded app offering access to 1,500 films from the National Film Board of Canada.[19][20] Other PlayBook apps include Cocktales and Adobe Connect Mobile.[21] At the initial launch, between 2,000 and 3,000 apps were available from the BlackBerry App World, however, RIM states that as many as 3,000 additional apps have been submitted.[22]
RIM has officially stated that it will expand its application ecosystem for the PlayBook to include BlackBerry Java and Android-based applications. In a press release, RIM states that developers simply repackage, code sign, and submit their Android apps into BlackBerry App World. For now, the PlayBook will only support Android 2.3 apps.[23]
RIM stated that the compatibility with Android applications will be included in a software update of the BlackBerry Tablet OS.[24]
RIM more recently announced that BlackBerry Java applications will not be supported in the next generation mobile platform for BlackBerry tablets (Blackerry 10).[25]
A decision by RIM to not ship the Playbook with native applications for e-mail and calendar has been a source of criticism and much debate by reviewers and users. The only way to access email is through the web browser, Blackberry Bridge, or third-party applications from App World, which RIM chose for security reasons. However, RIM has stated that these native applications will be available in upcoming updates to the system software.[26] RIM have announced their plan to introduce OS 2, in which the native applications as well as many more fixes to the software are expected to occur.
February 17, 2012 has been announced as the release date for OS 2.0.[27] BBM support will not be included with the 2.0 update, although RIM appears to intend to support BBM in a future update. In addition to other functionality, the software update will add integrated email, calendar, and contact apps. BBM (aka BlackBerry Messenger) will, however, still be supported through the BlackBerry Bridge software, allowing users to continue to have access to it while bridged to their BlackBerry smartphone.
Various sources put the sales figure on launch day alone at approximately 50,000, exceeding expectations.[28] RIM announced in its quarterly earnings that half a million PlayBook tablets were shipped in the first quarter.[29] However, after lukewarm market reception, there were reports that the company revised its second-quarter estimates from 2.4 million down to 800,000 – 900,000 units.[30] When RIM announced their second quarter financial results, they revealed that they shipped 200,000 units.[5][31] The combined unit shipment of 700,000 units during the first two quarter of release was only a small fraction of the 2-3 million units per quarter many had anticipated before the device's introduction. Following several months of poor sales RIM started discounting the price of Playbook from its original $499 retail price to $300 at many outlets in late September 2011.[32] The price was further reduced to $199 at various retail outlets in both Canada and US in November due to apparent low market demand.[33] RIM reduced the price of Playbook by over 50 percent in India under a limited festive season offer till December 31, 2011.[34] The 16 GB model of the PlayBook can be bought for 13,490 in the Indian market instead of its regular price of 27,990. While the 32 GB model is available for 15,990, the 64 GB model is being offered for 24,490 against their regular prices of 32,990 and 37,990 respectively.[34]
According to Strategy Analytics figures in the 2011 second quarter, the PlayBook's market share is 3.3 percent, compared to iOS (iPad, iPad 2) by Apple with 61.3 percent, Android by Google with 30.1 percent, and various Windows by Microsoft with 4.6 percent.[35]
In December 2011, RIM announced that it sold more than 150,000 PlayBooks in the third fiscal quarter, compare to 200,000 shipments in the second quarter and 500,000 shipments in the first quarter. In total, RIM shipped to reseller channels 800,000 PlayBook tablets in the first 9 months of fiscal year 2012 (ending Nov 2011).[36] Due to low demand for the Playbook, RIM took a $485 million write-off to account for offering price discounts.[37]
Because BlackBerry Bridge accesses mail, calendaring and contacts directly from a tethered BlackBerry phone, the PlayBook meets the same encryption standards as the BlackBerry phone. It is the first (and as of September 2011, the only) tablet device to receive FIPS 140-2 certification, which makes it eligible for use by U.S. federal government agencies. In addition the Australian government also approved the use of PlayBook as the only tablet that meets its security standard.[38] The Russian government is considering banning iPads due to security concerns and promoting the PlayBook instead.
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