The BlackBerry PlayBook from Research In Motion (RIM) is a sleek looking device that packs in powerful features with a new operating system. The initially enterprise focused tablet from RIM has gone on to ensnare the consumer market too. This touch-based tablet runs on the QNX OS, which is the first microkernel based end-to-end real time operating system, prepared to give smooth multi-tasking experience.
The PlayBook's hardware is great — very powerful, slick QNX operating system and efficient multitasking. However, in its current state, it needs a BlackBerry handset to reach full potential.
The Bluetooth connectivity in the PlayBook lets you pair a keyboard and mouse to it for ease of use. Other connectivity options include a micro HDMI port, a micro USB port, a charger connector and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The unique feature of the HDMI output is that it can show separate contents on the tablet and the TV to which it is connected. This means you can run a video on the TV while surfing the net on your tablet at the same time.
You can surf Internet on the PlayBook through Wi-Fi on a Webkit browser. Apart from this, there are various useful features present in this tablet device that make it a must-have gadget. The RIM tablet has the copy and paste feature and packs in Word, Sheet, and Slideshow to Go from DataVis. The browser comes integrated with the Adobe Flash 10.1 and built-in support for HTML 5 giving an enhanced Web experience. Also present is a customized version of the Adobe Reader.
The Document To Go application lets you view PPT, DOC and XLS files. You can also create DOC and XLS files right on the tablet. Connecting to a BlackBerry smartphone via the BlackBerry Bridge allows you to access corporate emails, calendar, address book, task list in real time. Other business features of the PlayBook include corporate intranet browsing and enterprise VPN.
The PlayBook needs to be connected to a handset in 'bridge' mode to enable email, contacts, instant messaging and tasks (however, these features may still be accessed on a browser ). It essentially mirrors the information on the handset.
Processor and RAM: PlayBook's 1GHz Cortex A9 up against Samsung's 1GHz Hummingbird and Apple's 1GHz A4 - both of which are based on the Cortex A8 processor with PowerVR graphics (SGX540 in the Samsung and the SGX535 in the iPad).
Storage and Memory: The BlackBerry PlayBook uses a standard 5300 mAh capacity Li-Po battery, which once fully charged, lets you go unplugged for up to 7 hours. Like the iPad, the PlayBook also does not have any microSD memory card slot. You can get 64 GB storage space for all your requirements.
When you disconnect the handset, all the information on the PlayBook will vanish. Plus, there are hardly any apps available for the PlayBook (compatibility with some Android apps may come later).
As a standalone tablet, therefore, the PlayBook has some catching up to do.
