Blackberry Playbook no hype, no lines, no one really cares

[kdarling]

Well, I also dropped by our local small town Staples today. There were three of us getting a Playbook at the same time. After that, the store had sold all six they had gotten in, and had to start taking orders.

Had some problems getting it updated and going at first, but now it's slick as a whistle. Nice build, love the rubberized back, has a really nice screen. A few minor glitches now and then, but I think that'll get improved.

Overall, I'm much more impressed than I thought I would be. It's really cool to be able to pull up a YouTube video in one app, while searching for info in the browser, while running other apps at the same time... and just flick between them, or watch them all. Pretty much like WebOS in that way. I mean, it's actually fun to use.

As for mail and calendar, I didn't bother hooking to a Blackberry. I just set up bookmarks to GMail and GCalendar on the browser. D'oh! Easy peasy. GMail even automatically displayed list and preview sections.

Will try writing my first Blackberry WebWorks app for it tomorrow. Should be a piece of cake. I love devices that let you write apps in HTML5.

 

[TheWheelMan]

Did anyone expect lines?

Exactly. Comparing any device to iPad in that way is ridiculous. We all know the iPad is a different animal all to itself. The number of Playbooks sold in the next 3 to 6 months will be meaningful, the number of people lining up to buy it on opening day is not. You can't use such a rare and unusual situation (the long lines waiting for iPad 2) as the norm by which you compare other devices.

 

[cwerdna]

Exactly. Comparing any device to iPad in that way is ridiculous. We all know the iPad is a different animal all to itself. The number of Playbooks sold in the next 3 to 6 months will be meaningful, the number of people lining up to buy it on opening day is not. You can't use such a rare and unusual situation (the long lines waiting for iPad 2) as the norm by which you compare other devices.

Is it really that ridiculous? There have been long lines for every generation of iPhone and all or pretty much all the current gen game consoles (at least on launch day) along w/many of the previous gens.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011...RSS&feedName=technology-media-telco-SP&rpc=43 mentions

TORONTO/NEW YORK, April 19 (Reuters) - Research In Motion's (RIMM.O) (RIM.TO) PlayBook tablet computer launched in thousands of stores on Tuesday and mostly stayed there, a grim reminder of Apple's lasting allure for tech-hungry consumers.

By mid-afternoon, two carriers and two electronic stores in one of downtown Toronto's main shopping malls -- where long lines greeted last month's iPad 2 launch -- had stock available. Each started the day with no more than 5 PlayBooks...

http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/04/19/blackberry.playbook.faces.lukewarm.launch/ also reports few or no lines, as well.

I'd be curious out of the people here on this forum that have bought Playbooks, how many will still have them in 6 months?

 

[random.person]

so a genuine question (not troll bait i promise)

security on the Playbook (and RIM as a whole) is touted as a major feature. could someone with experience on this platform give a quick summary as to the security features which it has that the iOS platform doesn't?

again, not trying to start a religious war - just as an iOS user i don't have any experience with the security advantages RIM's platform offers.

thanks

 

[BergerFan]

The biggest issue with the PlayBook is: Can you delete Need For frikkin' Speed?

 

[Whorehay]

I like my Playbook. I don't understand all the bashing on here to be honest. The iPad is great as well, and I am considering keeping both because while they are both "tablets," they are so different at what they do well. Plus, a little competition can't hurt Apple to make a better iOS 5.

The Playbook is less complete of a product compared to the iPad, that's for sure, but considering that there are analysts that say that RIM developed and put this out in 10-12 months is astonishing, because in many fundamental ways, it beats the other players in the tablet game.

I can see myself using the Playbook for the long run, even in it's current state, because it's Kindle-style compact, it has a great operating system behind it and it has superb hardware. They aren't just hacking together some state of the art hardware with some random version of Honeycomb and hope it meshes together somehow.

If anything, one of RIM's strength is controlling and molding their users' customer experience chain from the hardware down to the software, just like Apple.

 

[j_maddison]

What kind of business need such a high security level ? Bank ? Beside that do you think hacker care about x or y business ? Security is a biaise selling point create by rim ? If use properly ipad can do the job in term of security for most business ?[/

You must not work in a corporate climate. Security is a really big concern in the business world. Even corporate emails can contain sensitive company info that needs to be kept secure.

I work in a corporate environment, and the whole BB security argument is way over used. Nokia and Windows mobile devices have been used alongside BB for years. Hell if I lost my BB, all anyone needs to do is press the unlock keys and they have access to my e mails. At least with an iPhone they'll have to try and guess my password.

The iPhone can be set up with remote wipe etc. Besides, I'd say it's far easier to get information by stealing someones bag than their phone. There's usually a note pad, a few usb keys carrying data, along with some print outs, in peoples laptop bags.

The only way to be totally secure is to glue up all the usb ports, remove any optical drives, take away anyones ability to print, don't let them use any type of mobile device besides a bog standard phone, listen in to calls, and monitor everything they do

For the most part, security is an illusion that IT departments hide behind (excluding LAN and WAN security). Now I'm not saying that there aren't legitimate reasons why IT departments don't support every new thing that comes on the market, resources would be a good reason to start with, budget would be another. But the security iPhone argument just doesn't hold up IMO. In fact I remember selling BB into corporate accounts back when they were brand spanking new in the UK, and quite a few of the arguments levied at the iPhone were levied at the BB back then, i.e. it's a security risk etc

 

[EthanNixon]

I work in a corporate environment, and the whole BB security argument is way over used. Nokia and Windows mobile devices have been used alongside BB for years. Hell if I lost my BB, all anyone needs to do is press the unlock keys and they have access to my e mails. At least with an iPhone they'll have to try and guess my password.

The iPhone can be set up with remote wipe etc. Besides, I'd say it's far easier to get information by stealing someones bag than their phone. There's usually a note pad, a few usb keys carrying data, along with some print outs, in peoples laptop bags.

The only way to be totally secure is to glue up all the usb ports, remove any optical drives, take away anyones ability to print, don't let them use any type of mobile device besides a bog standard phone, listen in to calls, and monitor everything they do

For the most part, security is an illusion that IT departments hide behind (excluding LAN and WAN security). Now I'm not saying that there aren't legitimate reasons why IT departments don't support every new thing that comes on the market, resources would be a good reason to start with, budget would be another. But the security iPhone argument just doesn't hold up IMO. In fact I remember selling BB into corporate accounts back when they were brand spanking new in the UK, and quite a few of the arguments levied at the iPhone were levied at the BB back then, i.e. it's a security risk etc

You can lock your BlackBerry with a password...

It's not that BlackBerry has the best software, it's that they are already widely accepted in a lot of major corporations. Most of them can't switch because they are heavily invested into it. I am sure the iOS is just as secure as the BlackBerry, but there are more enterprise-specific applications directly from RIM, which make it perfect for large corporations.

 

[j_maddison]

You can lock your BlackBerry with a password...

It's not that BlackBerry has the best software, it's that they are already widely accepted in a lot of major corporations. Most of them can't switch because they are heavily invested into it. I am sure the iOS is just as secure as the BlackBerry, but there are more enterprise-specific applications directly from RIM, which make it perfect for large corporations.

Sorry, I realise my post was a little misguiding there. What I should have said is, I am not aware of any corporate account that doesn't require a password on the iPhone (in my own experience). I've never worked for a company in the UK that required a password on the users BB, or seen it widely used.

I think the investment and resource issue is the main thing holding the iPhone back with regards to corporate adoption. Also a little bit of Apple hatred, as quite a few IT managers I've come across are as much windows fanboys as any die hard Apple fanboy.

 

[trssho]

I checked out a Playbook last night at a Staples, and I have to admit that I like it. There were obviously some bugs that need ironed out (like not having the ability to play the video that it's demoed with), but size, balance, speed, screen brightness and resolution, OS, I liked it all. More than my iPad 2..... maybe if it were $75 less, and they started really putting out some great apps, then probably.

 

[falconeight]

I own a playbook and I can give a pretty good comparison and it should not be compared to the ipad 1 or 2, at least not yet.

some pros:
1. Speakers are the best ever on any tablet device.
2. OS is pretty and easy to use
3. I like the size & having a high resolution for the size makes it easy to read.
4. Build quality is good it feels solid and is not a fingerprint magnet.
5. Updates pushed to by RIM just like IOS.
6. HD video looks better than any other tablet.
7. Touch screen is pretty cool, different than IOS but nice to see they took it a step further.
8. Battery life on par with Ipad.
9. The hulu websites works really nice, I watched the office last night.

some cons:
1. Apps are a total let down. For some reason RIM thinks icons that link to web pages is an app.
2. It feels slower than the galaxy tab.
3. Very buggy
4. I had to return one because it wouldn't boot and it is a problem across the board.
5. No email client and no calendar. I never realized how much I used my calendar.
6. Some useless apps can't be removed. If you remove them you get a notification for update and it puts the icon back on.

Its not a multi media consuming machine like the ipad is, but it has potential. And being that RIM makes the device and software makes it exciting.

 

[nwbusa]

You mean like the original iPhone?

Oh...wait.

In 2007, the original iPhone was far, far ahead of any other smartphone on the market... you might not be old enough to remember that far back

 

[princealyy]

I have always been a fan of blackberry but for some reason I think they screwed up ... In my opinion there is a market for the seven inch screen but they should have launched with two sizes ... I just can't justify the size of the unit for everyone I know they are trying to separate themselves but I think consumers would prefer a larger tablet and maybe enterprise will use the smaller one?? Assuming they can get the budget approval to get another mobile device to their staff.

I think in 1 year android is going to be a huge competitor in this space just like in the phone market it took them a while to take over iOS in the cell market and I feel like it will happen here too.

Blackberry is going to have to do a lot to change this ... Small and medium business (way larger than large corporations in the cell industry) dont care for the added security that blackberry may or may not offer

Ah RIM you had us in 2006 .... Just like Palm had us in 2004.

Things change quickly in technology people claim that RIM is to rich to die but the again PALM was trading at 600 a share at one point.

 

[kdarling]

Is it really that ridiculous? There have been long lines for every generation of iPhone and all or pretty much all the current gen game consoles (at least on launch day) along w/many of the previous gens.

Those things were also heavily advertised, bought by a lot of kids as well as adults, and most importantly, no preorders were allowed. You don't have to wait in line if you can preorder. (There were no lines for the Verizon iPhone either, but it apparently sold pretty well.)

I'd be curious out of the people here on this forum that have bought Playbooks, how many will still have them in 6 months?

A bigger question is: will RIM stick with it? It is already a really nice machine, but has even greater potential... especially if early glitches get fixed promptly.

Sorry, I realise my post was a little misguiding there. What I should have said is, I am not aware of any corporate account that doesn't require a password on the iPhone (in my own experience).

I think it's quite the opposite here in the States. There are too many concerns about data privacy. Unfortunately, it's extremely annoying, having to enter your password so much.

As for advantages of the RIM platform, a big one is having true push without needing a constant heartbeat. This allows incredible battery life.

4. I had to return one because it wouldn't boot and it is a problem across the board.

I had that problem, and I finally figured out that I could click "update" on the Desktop Manager and it would download and fix the Playbook over USB.

5. No email client and no calendar. I never realized how much I used my calendar.

In my case, Google Calendar ftw.

In 2007, the original iPhone was far, far ahead of any other smartphone on the market...

Depends on what you used it for. Like many, I had a smartphone at the time with Google Maps, Slingplayer, and the ability to use touch or take handwritten notes or use voice control. Most importantly, it had 3G and could use apps I wrote. The iPhone was prettier, but nowhere near as useful to me for at least another year.

 

[Bernard SG]

So let's summarize:
RIM is launching a product with half the screen-estate of iPad's at the same price point with basically only one advantage over the latter: running Flash; and mostly disadvantages on all other fronts?
Gawd...

 

[Mr Bigs]

Doesnt ipad2 more appeling even for a business than the playbook ? I wont surprise me if apple get most business market over rim concerning tablet.

Not a chance !!!!

 

[Mr Bigs]

So let's summarize:
RIM is launching a product with half the screen-estate of iPad's at the same price point with basically only one advantage over the latter: running Flash; and mostly disadvantages on all other fronts?
Gawd...

Screen estate is purely subjective especially in terms of portability.Not everyone wants to be trapped in Apples ecosystem and for very good reason. As it stands I owned the first iPhone and iPad and refuse to purchase another until drastic changes are made for it to be worth it.

 

[darngooddesign]

So let's summarize:
RIM is launching a product with half the screen-estate of iPad's at the same price point with basically only one advantage over the latter: running Flash; and mostly disadvantages on all other fronts?
Gawd...

While it has a bit shorter screen, the rest is a misconception, but its impossible to directly compare as the OSes are not the same. I will use MacBooks for my example. Both the regular 15" MBP and the 13" Air have the same screen resolution with the Air having a smaller screen. The Air has exactly the same screen-real-estate, which is the term for how much stuff you can fit on the screen, because the apps are smaller; if your IM window occupies 10% of the 15" screen it still occupies 10% of the 13" screen. Not to mention that at the smaller size text is easier to read because its crisper, and if the text is easier to read you don't have to zoom in to read it.

Now all of that is assuming the interfaces are similarly sized; however, if the PB interface elements are on average larger than the iPad's then I do agree that it suffers from less screen-real-estate.

You can dismiss this answer as fanboy/hater of either camp, but it is an honest response to your assertion.

 

[JPIndustrie]

The videos of this thing say it all - Apple needs wake up a bit and look around.

The sales probably won't be affected just yet - but c'mon Steve; nip this in the bud and give us something similar in iOS 5 and no one will switch over.

 

[Dorkington]

A 7 inch tablet geared towards BB users... and you all are cheering it as a failure and cherishing Apple's superiority?

It's like cheering the fact that a Lotus Elise sells less than a Toyota Corolla.

 

[Bernard SG]

Now all of that is assuming the interfaces are similarly sized; however, if the PB interface elements are on average larger than the iPad's then I do agree that it suffers from less screen-real-estate.

It's the crux of the issue, though not essentially in terms of GUI but in terms of browsing the web (which is the greatest deal of what everyone does on a tablet): links, buttons and so on.

 

[kdarling]

It's the crux of the issue, though not essentially in terms of GUI but in terms of browsing the web (which is the greatest deal of what everyone does on a tablet): links, buttons and so on.

If bigger is better, why isn't there a 12" or 14" or even larger iPad? For that matter, a lot of us browse just fine on iPhones and the iPod touch

However, in the case of the Playbook, browsing is probably not what most first buyers will be using it for. Enterprise apps are more likely and/or internal web pages that can be designed to fit.

The 7" size is actually good for one hand, and stores nicely in a coat pocket.

Mangling an old saying: to an iPad hammer everything looks like a web page nail, but in this case the Playbook is a screwdriver

 

[Iamthinking]

screen-estate in the real world

While it has a bit shorter screen, the rest is a misconception, but its impossible to directly compare as the OSes are not the same.

I looked at a playbook yesterday. I put it on top of my ipad, and it was indeed 1/2 the size (in the real world- ie. not virtual/pixel world).

Perhaps my hands are too club-like, but I could not get to the end of 2 sentences without having to take my hands off and rest them (from cramping up).

...then I tried going to some websites that I use on my ipad---man they were a lot slower to load (maybe cause of all the flash advertising that the ipad happily ignores?)....

The video demo is pretty cool and as mentioned earlier, very crisp and sharp-- however, wouldn't you expect a video squished down to 1/2 size to be sharper regardless of device?

Finally, how come no one is talking about the horrible playbook keyboard? First off, it comes up in lower case (which everyone knows is much harder to read than upper case) and second, they moved the enter key to the bottom-right and put a backspace key in its place. Am I the only one that accidentally lost the last letter of my typing by hitting backspace instead)?

I think someone earlier suggested that the playbook is a different device and comparisons to the ipad are pointless. After spending time with the playbook, i'd have to agree. The playbook is kindof like a blackberry phone on steriods, whereas the ipad is a fully functional tablet.

Iamthinking

 

[MacYale]

Of course no lineups, pre-orders were allowed.

Financial Post already noted that PlayBook had a more successful launch than any other tablet besides the iPad, and is expected to sell more units this year than any other tablet besides the iPad.

I've tested every tablet out there, the iPad is the best, but as far as 7 inchers go, the PlayBook is king. Samsung, Motorola.. the products they're making are complete jokes.

 

[falconeight]

Comparing them is dumb. The ipad is a tablet built off of a phone OS and is great at what it does. The Playbook is a brand new OS built for tablets and is less than 48 hours young.