Not long after the BlackBerry PlayBook was released, we started hearing rumors about what the next iteration of the tablet's software would look like. The most important additions seemed to be obvious ones, like the native email client that few could believe wasn't present on the initial version, but rumors had it including some more surprising features as well — like the ability to run Android apps on the PlayBook. The new update is due for arrival sometime in February, and we've collected everything you need to know about PlayBook OS 2.0 below.
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0: a big update for RIM's tablet
BlackBerry 4G PlayBook photos show up with BBM preloaded
The BlackBerry PlayBook was supposed to have three "4G" varieties — LTE, HSPA+, and WiMAX — but the Wi-Fi-only model was the only RIM tablet ever to see release. That doesn't mean it was the only model to be manufactured, though, and a few units appear to have "fallen into the hands" of CrackBerry forum user Fakedeadmau5. His story as to how he acquired the devices is a little murky, but the photos appear to check out. Fakedeadmau5 didn't have a 4G SIM of any variety, so details of how...
BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 review
When we reviewed the BlackBerry PlayBook back in April, we couldn’t help feeling the device’s insides didn’t match its outsides. The PlayBook is a well-built, good-looking device, but its software was buggy, frustrating, and frankly unfinished. There was no email or calendar app (yes, really), and few apps of any kind to speak of.
PlayBook 2.0, a software update released this week, is RIM’s attempt to solve many of those problems. It adds email, calendar, and contact apps, finally...
BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 released with native email and Android app support
When we took a look at the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 OS back at CES, we called it "the most polished version of the PlayBook OS yet." Whether that's enough to turn sales around for the tablet is quite another matter, but it does show that RIM is able to push out new versions of the OS that is going to eventually form the basis of BlackBerry 10.
The biggest new feature is that RIM is finally including a native email client on the PlayBook, which features a unified inbox, tabs, and a rich text...
Updated Bridge software turns your BlackBerry into a Bluetooth remote for PS3, PC, Android tablets, and more
Say what you want about RIM's recent travails — the company does have at least a few dedicated users who can't bear the thought of life away from their hardware keyboards. Well, with the updated version of BlackBerry Bridge coming alongside PlayBook OS 2.0 you'll be able to use your BlackBerry phones to control any number of devices, from the PlayStation 3 to the Motorola Xoom. It works over Bluetooth HID, and seems to be pretty easy to set up, with no app required on the other end. Of...
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 update to roll out Tuesday, February 21st?
RIM recently confirmed that its PlayBook tablet would receive its new 2.0 operating system upgrade in "February," but now there may be a date and time. According to documents obtained by Engadget, PlayBook owners will be able to download the update over-the-air starting at 4:01AM on Tuesday, February 21st — well before RIM's self-imposed deadline. We detailed the upgrade at CES in January, which will finally bring native email, contacts, and calendar apps to the tablet. Other improvements...
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 'likely' to launch during MWC
Initially announced at CES, version 2.0 of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS is finally set to launch during Mobile World Congress at the end of this month. According to Senior Brand Manager Jeff Gadway in an interview with PC Magazine, the update will be available "very soon" and is likely to go live during MWC, which kicks off on February 27 and will have a fairly large RIM presence. RIM had initially planned ro release the update in February so a launch during MWC would be cutting it pretty...
RIM handing out free BlackBerry PlayBooks to Android app developers
The BlackBerry PlayBook launched at $499, was cut to $199, then $99 for employees, and likely has a successor on the way, so you'd think the story might be over, right? Well, it's now available for the low low price of free to Android developers who register and submit an app to BlackBerry App World by February 13th. A tweet by Alec Saunders, RIM's VP of developer relations revealed the offer, with developers simply needing to email the name of their app to developeroutreachprogram@rim.com....
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0: hands-on impressions, pictures, and video
RIM formally announced PlayBook OS 2.0 yesterday, and I met with the product's senior marketing manager Jeff Gadway to check out all the features in the new operating system. Version 2.0 finally brings a native mail client to the BlackBerry tablet, along with calendar and contact apps. RIM also made some general aesthetic changes, and added a bulked-up version of BlackBerry Bridge and an eerily familiar "reading view" feature in the browser.
This is the most polished version of the PlayBook...
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0: RIM details new features
RIM has announced that it will show off version 2.0 of the BlackBerry Playbook OS here at CES 2012 which will become available in February. This version finally brings a native email client to RIM's tablet, complete with unified inbox and tab-based navigation for keeping multiple messages open simultaneously. It also has a rich text editor — something not often seen on mobile devices — and support for setting auto-responders and signatures right from the PlayBook itself. (For those...
BlackBerry PlayBook native email, contacts, calendar pictured
We saw some leaked images of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 a few months ago, and now BlackBerry Cool has shots of the native email, contacts, and calendar features, all taken yesterday at the BlackBerry Innovation Forum. There's not much to the pics, but they do show pinch-to-zoom in email, calendar numbers that grow in size as your scheduled appointments increase, and an enhanced contacts section that integrates inboxes and social networks. RIM also mentioned a PlayBook keyboard accessory that...
RIM shows off Android apps running on BlackBerry PlayBook (video)
You may have a a bit of a wait before your BlackBerry PlayBook can run Android apps, but we can give you a glimpse at how those apps might play -- RIM demonstrated the new Android App Player with several titles on the BlackBerry DevCon stage today, and we taped the whole thing. We have to admit that Pool Break Pro looks pretty speedy despite its 3D roots, and both the Pulse news reader and IMDB app behaved fairly well. Interestingly, it looks like the App Player may support two forms of...
PlayBook OS version 2.0 leaks: Exchange ActiveSync in, BES out?
Images of the next version of the QNX-based operating system for RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook look to have leaked on MaxPDA. Assuming they are legit, the big takeaway comes from the settings app, pictured above. It indicates that RIM is finally going to add native email, calendar, and contacts solutions -- but it also implies something more ominous. While you can add Exchange ActiveSync, IMAP, POP, CalDav, and CardDav accounts, it doesn't look like you can add BlackBerry Exchange Server or...
