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Blackberry Playbook no hype, no lines, no one really cares
- Thread starter imacuser1
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25000 pre order sales and roughly 20000 brick and mortar store sales, are the figures being put out right now. Most pre order sales were business related. Now that that is over, it will be interesting to see if RIM sells even 10000 more this quarter.
I just tried a Playbook at Best Buy. I am getting one for free soon once they ship out the "free playbook for an app" units.
My impressions:
1. It is a lot smaller than it looks in pictures and videos, and just feels a lot more "portable" than the iPad.
2. The landscape keyboard was usable with thumbs, but I didn't try touch typing. It looks a little small for that though (I do have fairly large hands though so...)
3. The things multitasking ability is quite amazing, it almost feels like it can run multiple apps better than my MBP. NFS, 1080P video, a web browser, and word to go all running and it still looks smooth as silk. Of course you can only interact with a single app at one time, but switching between them is super smooth.
4. App launching times seem a bit slower than iPad, but with the extra RAM you can leave them running on the PB.
5. The screen looks super sharp, mainly because of the 1024x600 resolution on a 7' panel which means it is similar to iPad's resolution on a smaller screen.
6. Apps are majorly lacking. No Kindle, no good Twitter app, games are lacking, no good news readers, and of course no mail/contacts/calendar at the moment. Hopefully RIM giving out free playbooks to devs actually pays off, I know I will at least try and write one more app for it once I have the actual hardware.
7. Hardware feels solid, and the reduced weight makes it a lot more like holding a Kindle than an iPad.
Overall, it was pretty impressive, but it will really need native mail/contacts/calendar before it becomes a popular consumer device. If you have a BB already I could definitely see the attraction. It is definitely not an iPad killer, but I think it will take its stake in the tablet market, probably above the Android tablets at least for a while. Would I buy it in its current state for $499? No, but in the future it may improve with more apps (Kindle, Netflix, Email, Contacts, Calendar for starters.)
The 7" vs 9.7" screen makes them fundamentally different devices though.
A few things for Apple to note:
1. Why can't my iPad play back 1080P video? The PB doesn't even break a sweat running it in the background while doing other things in its presentation mode. Nearly identical hardware except for RAM. Main reason I want 1080P: To be able to play video files imported directly from my Canon Rebel T2i.
2. Their multitasking/app switching is so much nicer and smoother.
EDIT: One more thing for Apple...when will we get OTA updates like the Playbook? And also allow iPad to stand alone and not require another computer to activate.
My impressions:
1. It is a lot smaller than it looks in pictures and videos, and just feels a lot more "portable" than the iPad.
2. The landscape keyboard was usable with thumbs, but I didn't try touch typing. It looks a little small for that though (I do have fairly large hands though so...)
3. The things multitasking ability is quite amazing, it almost feels like it can run multiple apps better than my MBP. NFS, 1080P video, a web browser, and word to go all running and it still looks smooth as silk. Of course you can only interact with a single app at one time, but switching between them is super smooth.
4. App launching times seem a bit slower than iPad, but with the extra RAM you can leave them running on the PB.
5. The screen looks super sharp, mainly because of the 1024x600 resolution on a 7' panel which means it is similar to iPad's resolution on a smaller screen.
6. Apps are majorly lacking. No Kindle, no good Twitter app, games are lacking, no good news readers, and of course no mail/contacts/calendar at the moment. Hopefully RIM giving out free playbooks to devs actually pays off, I know I will at least try and write one more app for it once I have the actual hardware.
7. Hardware feels solid, and the reduced weight makes it a lot more like holding a Kindle than an iPad.
Overall, it was pretty impressive, but it will really need native mail/contacts/calendar before it becomes a popular consumer device. If you have a BB already I could definitely see the attraction. It is definitely not an iPad killer, but I think it will take its stake in the tablet market, probably above the Android tablets at least for a while. Would I buy it in its current state for $499? No, but in the future it may improve with more apps (Kindle, Netflix, Email, Contacts, Calendar for starters.)
The 7" vs 9.7" screen makes them fundamentally different devices though.
A few things for Apple to note:
1. Why can't my iPad play back 1080P video? The PB doesn't even break a sweat running it in the background while doing other things in its presentation mode. Nearly identical hardware except for RAM. Main reason I want 1080P: To be able to play video files imported directly from my Canon Rebel T2i.
2. Their multitasking/app switching is so much nicer and smoother.
EDIT: One more thing for Apple...when will we get OTA updates like the Playbook? And also allow iPad to stand alone and not require another computer to activate.
Last edited:
As mentioned throughout the thread:
At launch, RIM is targeting the Playbook toward Blackberry users... which means the user does have access to their mail via bridge software.
Or, you can use web based GMail, Yahoo, Hotmail, whatever.. like most everyone on a laptop does.
As for tethering, anyone with a corporate BB knows that their phone is entered in a BES by PIN number. By using the phone's comms, the Playbook does not have to be independently managed in the BES, yet it still gets the benefits.
Later on, RIM says there will be native mail etc apps, at which time it can be sold at the normal consumer market.
As a Dev, I'm surprised you would even mention this. Do you know how large the file sizes are for some OS updates, much less some games. There is a reason why most Android apps are small in size.
Lets assume that most people have capped data plans. Lets say Apple releases an OS update. Better make damn sure you are in a Wi-Fi zone, otherwise, you can guarantee a person is gonna be going over their capped limit.
Additionally, I wonder how long an OTA update on 3G of a file size 666MB to 800MB would take? I don't even want to hazard a guess.
That's how we'll get a better idea of its success. If word of mouth on it is good, it'll do much better than 10000. If not, well, then "flop" may not be too harsh a word for it.
Interesting article:
http://www.tomstechblog.com/post/Blackberry-Playbook-Selling-Well-After-All-Not-So-Faste280a6.aspx
The gist of it is that the analyst predicting the 50,000 sales has been overly optimistic for RIM while negative about Apple for quite some time.
http://www.tomstechblog.com/post/Blackberry-Playbook-Selling-Well-After-All-Not-So-Faste280a6.aspx
The gist of it is that the analyst predicting the 50,000 sales has been overly optimistic for RIM while negative about Apple for quite some time.
The updates are large because with iOS updates you are downloading an image of the entire OS. If they had patching they would be much smaller. Plus they could easily release small security updates more often as they would only be a few MB at the most. OS X already supports it so it shouldn't be hard to move over to iOS.
Same for apps, each time you update you are downloading a new binary. That is fine as most apps are fairly small in the first place, with the exception of big name games and navigation apps with maps. Patching isn't as important for apps IMO.
There are tons of apps in the App Store that requires you to be on a WiFi connection to update. Do the same for iOS updates and the problem is solved.
My girlfriend and I both purchased PlayBooks on Tuesday. We returned them both this evening and went to the local Apple store to check out the iPad2. I'm off work tomorrow so I'm going to try and get in line early at the store.
The PlayBook has a lot of potential, but honestly after using it for two days I didn't feel it would truly do what it could do. This is mainly because the software is very weak and development is seriously lacking.
I will say I prefer the size of the PlayBook over the iPad, I really wish Apple made a 7-8" iPad.
The PlayBook has a lot of potential, but honestly after using it for two days I didn't feel it would truly do what it could do. This is mainly because the software is very weak and development is seriously lacking.
I will say I prefer the size of the PlayBook over the iPad, I really wish Apple made a 7-8" iPad.
I played with one tonight and the acer iconia, it was much better than the playbook in every way.
You know very well that Apple wants us dependent on itunes and computers. They're not ready to go all cloud. This is not a legitimate complaint. 
I see everyone saying how it will get better, the apps suck at the moment, hardly any basic functions included.
The obvious problem here is traction. Devs don't want to bother making apps for something no one is buying, and if the majority of people wait until there is more functionality and app support, then it will never gain traction.
It's pretty obvious really, which is the reason iPad had such a huge initial take up, the apps where already there.
The obvious problem here is traction. Devs don't want to bother making apps for something no one is buying, and if the majority of people wait until there is more functionality and app support, then it will never gain traction.
It's pretty obvious really, which is the reason iPad had such a huge initial take up, the apps where already there.
I'm guessing this is why they made if Android compatible with devs. Interestingly, that is where WebOS went with compatibility with iOS and look where Palm is today.....an interesting story in Tech History...
Lame
I got a free evaluation unit to try implement in a client business environment. Long term looking at buying over 500 for a line of business app implementation. RIM should really have gotten AT&T ironed out beforehand. It's just ridiculous that they would sell a device that was non-functional as tethering and bridging were disabled by the carrier until they evaluate it.
What?
Spent a nice couple of hours climbing the phone-tree at rim listening to cringing people over there point fingers at AT&T over and over. I mean come on, you don't clear basic functionality apps withs one of the largest carriers in the US BEFORE the launch?
Was able to install the app for the business and demo, but every person I demoed with asked "how do I check my mail and calendar?" 30 sec after I handed it to them.
Yes it will be fine in a couple of weeks but they set themselves up for a hurdle with a big negative first impression.
Not one of the execs wanted to take the device home with them, where with the iPad, I had to go buy extras because I never get the demo unit back out of the clients hands once I give it to them.
I got a free evaluation unit to try implement in a client business environment. Long term looking at buying over 500 for a line of business app implementation. RIM should really have gotten AT&T ironed out beforehand. It's just ridiculous that they would sell a device that was non-functional as tethering and bridging were disabled by the carrier until they evaluate it.
What?
Spent a nice couple of hours climbing the phone-tree at rim listening to cringing people over there point fingers at AT&T over and over. I mean come on, you don't clear basic functionality apps withs one of the largest carriers in the US BEFORE the launch?
Was able to install the app for the business and demo, but every person I demoed with asked "how do I check my mail and calendar?" 30 sec after I handed it to them.
Yes it will be fine in a couple of weeks but they set themselves up for a hurdle with a big negative first impression.
Not one of the execs wanted to take the device home with them, where with the iPad, I had to go buy extras because I never get the demo unit back out of the clients hands once I give it to them.
more than one analyst projected 45,000+ on day one.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/04/21/analyst-pegs-playbook-opening-day-sales-at-45000/
You know very well that Apple wants us dependent on itunes and computers. They're not ready to go all cloud. This is not a legitimate complaint.
Actually, it's the hardware encryption in all iOS devices since the 3GS that is now dependent on iTunes. Why do you think it wants to erase your device when you hook it up to a different computer?
I was at the local Best Buy and looks like a Utah company (unnamed) just bought 3000 of them for the company. No iPad there.
Love the build and the weight. Once it runs Android as well then this is definitely a contender.
Love the build and the weight. Once it runs Android as well then this is definitely a contender.
It's a friggin' disaster.
Not sure WTF RIM was thinking but it's apparently very fashionable these days to release beta software and hardware in a barely usable state and then charge money for it.
It's an unfinished, useless device. Another device that will either require a total redesign or get canned before the embarrassment gets too much to handle.
Amazing that Apple from Day 1 released something so usable and elegant, while no one else can seem to get it right over a year later.
Themselves, judging by the latest egg they've laid.
Not sure WTF RIM was thinking but it's apparently very fashionable these days to release beta software and hardware in a barely usable state and then charge money for it.
It's an unfinished, useless device. Another device that will either require a total redesign or get canned before the embarrassment gets too much to handle.
Amazing that Apple from Day 1 released something so usable and elegant, while no one else can seem to get it right over a year later.
Themselves, judging by the latest egg they've laid.
Well I purchased the Playbook today. I'm going to take it back tomorrow. It just doesn't even compare. It is very buggy and nothing really works 100% on it. I couldn't even give it 24 hrs. I have tried just about every tablet and this is just bad.
I cant use Web Mail to access my corporate exchange servers. Its completely inexcusable that RIM does not consider this for what they are billing as a "corporate tablet".
Every single review has mentioned the lack of an email app. I don't know who the brain-trust at RIM is that decided that releasing an email client later would be a good idea, but he should be fired. You only get one chance to make a first impression.