Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Research in Motion's 7-Inch 'PlayBook' Tablet to Target Business Users

ok. it looks great. it's better than Galaxy Tab or it seems better. It is the only company iPhone couldn't eliminate because of the business factor. If people start saying the iPad is a Toy and the Playbook or whatever is a professional device, Apple will never surpasses the fact that their whole life they are trying to show the people how serious they are as a tool for any environment but never gain terrain in that subject. the Apple II vs PC, the Apple III vs PC, Mac OS vs Windows, and when people start feeling that the enemy was going to be Android OS, Blackberry shows up with a nice prototype. this is getting interesting...

at the end, Apple was the first who introduce the first usable tablet in the market.
 
mauree said:
Pilgrim1099,

look, I'm all for competition, but this doesn't look like one, don't you agree? A too small, not very good looking tablet. The fact that they didn't show it in action makes me doubt it will run smooth. Plus it has only 1 GB of disk space. I mean... come on. If they price it low (and I doubt they will) it could be a Blackberry phone competitor, but for the same price who would buy it?
Click to expand...

Mauree,

One thing that I respect RIM is their focus on the enterprise sector and secondly, I own a Blackberry Curve because the email feature is second to none. Very reliable and it comes to me automatically without any manual retrieval via web browser. And some of the messaging apps get the job done. Nothing fancy. It cuts through the baloney.

And the Blackberry is very popular with deaf people and has been for years now. I use it because of instant messaging features even though I don't use sign language (I'm hard of hearing) and love the Skype web cam features on my MacBook so I can see what my friends are saying. Sure I'm aware of the FaceTime feature on iphone 4 and ipod touch 4g and it's commendable on their part but not until Skype becomes official, then I can have fuller access to other people outside that point-to-point network (iphone to iphone, etc).

Something small and light like the PlayBook is not a bad idea especially if I'm working at home doing my creative projects for clients and communicate to them online with this camera on a professional capacity, and maybe tether it with my Curve carrying it around in the house. Who knows? A lot of deaf people had to use a Sorenson (www.sorenson.com) videophone hooked to a tv set and that's stationary without any portability despite the fact that it IS a powerful piece of hardware subsidized by the government.

Apple did drop the ball with the iPad initially with some features but I don't find it appealing to lug a 9' incher to do video chat but anything smaller than that such as iPod Touch 4G will do the job just fine since I already have a wi-fi network at home and at the coffeehouse. Or anywhere, without having to sign some stupid contract with a carrier.

As for 1GB of disk space, that's actually pretty big for a tablet and I think that's the cache they're talking about. The PlayBook has probably about 16 or 32 GB. For starters. That's how computers were several years ago until they evolved up to 4GB (and more). Whenever they bring out a new device they start over again with the specs so that they don't compete with the high end computers. Plus, it would be too expensive.

It's not a 'vanity' fair for RIM. It's about bringing a device out that gets the job done for working professionals in the field as the primary focus and secondarily games for family members and friends. It's a nice looking device that says "I have features the original iPad does'nt have and won't waste your time. Together, we can get the job done however you want it".
 
Pilgrim1099 said:
Don't make me laugh, macfan881.

The military's OMX systems has been helping in destroying those who oppose our country. Has Apple's OS done anything for that sector? Don't even bring up the Apple iphone story with US soldiers in Iraq using it. I already know about it and that's not even the primary system they use.

Do you really think the Pentagon would be that stupid to use Apple's OS to fight internet wars?

Once OMX goes mainstream, somebody in Job's office will weep like a girl.
Click to expand...

I agree with you.

QNX is one of the most powerful RTOS out there, and RIM acquires this for peanuts. I always thought that Apple should buy QNX, I was afraid that Windows would buy QNX, I am astonished that Nokia never bought QNX, but I am surprised that RIM did. Someone at RIM new what to do. QNX is by far over-kill for this application, but rest assured that this crack-berry-pad will NOT crash ever... if RIM lets QNX folks do their job that is.

QNX powering the crack-berry-pad is a game changer. Folks in industry know this.

QNX is a true RTOS, and multitasking and multi-cpu programing for QNX is kids play. QNX can do multitasking, not google or apple multitasking, we are talking military grade, your-life-depends-on-this kind of multitasking.

I am impressed that RIM acquired QNX. Smart move.

Again... QNX is used in space, in banks, car telematics, in the military... this is powerful, robust, distributable, to-the-core multitasking, easy to program, stable RTOS. What is RIM doing with this powerful RTOS? Boy, they'll have a robust system in their hands.
 
Screen

I noticed the sparseness of actual screen size footage. By playing it on folders, windows and what not they really do a bait and switch with the actual size. Look at the video. When showing it pairing with the phone it's actually the size of an 8.5 x 11 folder!!! What a load of visual trickery. The think is 7 inches. Apple ads show it being used not the screen projected onto larger objects. look at the e book. a two page spread on that small screen... all I can say is whatever...
 
Probably mentioned somewhere the the seven pages of comments I didn't read, but how exactly is this targeted at business users? Aren't those people supposed to be doing, I dunno, business things? I see a bunch of pictures, YouTube garage bands and NHL feeds.

Is it a threat to iPad? Sure, it has the Blackberry name going for it, but it's nothing the iPad isn't. Oh, it has Flash. Yay. Explains why they need the second core in there...
 
kernkraft said:
Real HD meaning not 720p but 1080. It does matter and it is a big difference.

Real multitasking meaning being able to use multiple apps without crashes and slowing down. 256MB is hardly enough for a few Safari tabs.

About battery life - I don't think it will be a worry. RIM is pretty good with batteries and matching performance with the optimal type.
Click to expand...

It matters on a 7" screen...really? I can tell on my 114" screen, but I guess its a matter of preference.

When the next iPad comes out with more memory it will multitask just fine. I never have crashes with my iPhone with my apps or safari. If we are going to compare a product that will be out in 6 months or less I think we can include an updated iPad which surely will have more memory next year.

I am not saying it wont be a good device, but all these labels and stuff seem childish. It reminds me of Sony and calling everything TrueHD.

I think we can all agree we want performance regardless of brand. If the Playbook did everything I needed and more for the same price or less than an iPad then that would be something worth looking into.

It just would be nice to see a product running within a month or two instead of waiting 6 months, that is also a lot of time to remove some specs/features, etc...

Competition is good though and I don't want Apple to relax.
 
reden said:
The tablet is okay, nothing to awe about. But why did they call it PlayBook while they advertise it for business?
Click to expand...

and how does the name blackberry make sense for business.

We are not talking now but back when blackberry was first released. It was targeted at business users back then and they went with the name blackberry.
 
Pilgrim1099,

well thanks for the educated answer.

Mine wasn't an attack to RIM in general, just my feelings about this playbook.
The 1GB of space is actually the RAM, not the disk space as I read in another article. So that's nice. And looking at the specs at the RIM web page, I have to admit that it does look better than I originally thought.

However I stand by one of my previous comments: a lot of this look like an iPad clone. If the iPad didn't exist, this wouldn't look like it looks, or maybe even exist.
 
TW!SM said:
...


Competition is good though and I don't want Apple to relax.
Click to expand...

This old and tired. It is well known that apple does not need competition to innovate.

However, it does pain me to say this, but with RIM using QNX RTOS to power their devices, apple will not be able to relax ever again. That is it. Hands down on this.

You have to see what QNX can do, and then you'll see why the crack-berry-pad will be true multitasking, lean, mean, stable, powerful, never-crash machine.

Do not know about power/battery life on this thing, but this will be impressive I believe. QNX can handle power management very efficiently.

I am not impressed at the berry-pad design, I am impressed that RIM had the presence of mind to forgo their antiquated OS and bought QNX to do the bottom-line work. I think that RIM got new life with the QNX acquisition and subsequent utilization in their devices.
 
i.mac said:
This old and tired. It is well known that apple does not need competition to innovate.

However, it does pain me to say this, but with RIM using QNX RTOS to power their devices, apple will not be able to relax ever again. That is it. Hands down on this.

You have to see what QNX can do, and then you'll see why the crack-berry-pad will be true multitasking, lean, mean, stable, powerful, never-crash machine.

Do not know about power/battery life on this thing, but this will be impressive I believe. QNX can handle power management very efficiently.
Click to expand...

How is it old and tired? Isn't it now renewed with QNX that they NOW can't relax? Business has to change. If it was only the iPad they could slow down, now with the possible threat of the Playbook they need to make sure they keep the iPad a viable alternative to anything out there.

Apple is better because of other companies.

all IMO of course. :)
 
anthonymoody said:
Competition = good.
Click to expand...

Amen...

I LOVE it when the competition makes nice products....and I WORK for Apple!

IMO, the reason why the iPhone is so amazing is because of all the cell phone competition out there. If there is no competition then the iPad is going to get small updates once a year and not be as amazing as it can be.
 
i.mac said:
This old and tired. It is well known that apple does not need competition to innovate.

However, it does pain me to say this, but with RIM using QNX RTOS to power their devices, apple will not be able to relax ever again. That is it. Hands down on this.

You have to see what QNX can do, and then you'll see why the crack-berry-pad will be true multitasking, lean, mean, stable, powerful, never-crash machine.

Do not know about power/battery life on this thing, but this will be impressive I believe. QNX can handle power management very efficiently.

I am not impressed at the berry-pad design, I am impressed that RIM had the presence of mind to forgo their antiquated OS and bought QNX to do the bottom-line work. I think that RIM got new life with the QNX acquisition and subsequent utilization in their devices.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I used that old QNX demo floppy back in the 90's too, and the reason it was rocksteady is because, frankly, it didn't do all that much. QNX is not magic and will not reduce power requirements of screens, CPUs, and memory. Oh, and now it has to run flash too. It doesn't matter how stable the kernel is if the GUI on top of it crashes. The machine will appear about as responsive.

And if QNX is the answer to all that ails, they should as heck didn't let on to that today. No real demos of what it could do.
 
Prom1 said:
Without knowing those reasons, the arguements for a 9.7", or the validity to back up those reasons its not even worth mentioning against a 7" LCD nor even rebutting the issue. That said I'm too very curious about the 9.7" only ideal … and with this being the 3rd announced tablet to ship with a 7" SWVGA LCD the economies of scale favour this size for cheaper hardware costs/sourcing & thus more volume and higher revenue (also based on slightly lower R&D for the 1 off LCD).
Click to expand...

I have been thinking that all the rumors about Apple planning a 7" iPad are made up by Apple competitors. Apple is the standard. They need Apple blessing.

You can argue why the competitors do not make a 10" tablet. The fact is the 10" screen is very expensive. Jobs sets the iPad at $499. This is actually very low. iSuppli estimated it will cost more than $220 to make.

I think the virute of the 9.7" is it is very readable. 7" is small especially in browsing web pages.
 
i.mac said:
I agree with you.

QNX is one of the most powerful RTOS out there, and RIM acquires this for peanuts. I always thought that Apple should buy QNX, I was afraid that Windows would buy QNX, I am astonished that Nokia never bought QNX, but I am surprised that RIM did. Someone at RIM new what to do. QNX is by far over-kill for this application, but rest assured that this crack-berry-pad will NOT crash ever... if RIM lets QNX folks do their job that is.

QNX powering the crack-berry-pad is a game changer. Folks in industry know this.

QNX is a true RTOS, and multitasking and multi-cpu programing for QNX is kids play. QNX can do multitasking, not google or apple multitasking, we are talking military grade, your-life-depends-on-this kind of multitasking.

I am impressed that RIM acquired QNX. Smart move.

Again... QNX is used in space, in banks, car telematics, in the military... this is powerful, robust, distributable, to-the-core multitasking, easy to program, stable RTOS. What is RIM doing with this powerful RTOS? Boy, they'll have a robust system in their hands.
Click to expand...

And this may explain what powers Project: Echelon at the NSA ;). And it ain't Mac OS or iOS.
 
Pilgrim1099 said:
There's probably a reason for that. Ever play a game of Poker?

Never show your hands early on.
Click to expand...

Uh huh, then why are they announcing with full tech specs and render videos today, but not showing anyone actually using it? If there's one thing I do wish people would gratuitously copy Apple on, it's the immediate demos at announcement, with hands on by third parties (and some real representation of pricing...availability...battery life...).
 
hwhalers said:
The Torch wasn't bad. It wasn't great, but it was no Storm. The Bolds are the same as they've ever been: successful and useful for people who need their specific functionality. And RIM continues to make more money than God in enterprise. They know what they're doing, and apart from the aforementioned Storm, generally don't let themselves play catch-up for too long. And when they innovate, they do it on their terms. When it ships we'll see how the OS looks in person, but I'm optimistic.

So, yes, I certainly expected RIM (or Palm pre-HP) to be the entity that made the second real tablet. Who else could, the East Asian Xerox shops?
Click to expand...

Despite the press and huge sales of Apple iPhones, I am always surprised when at a professional baseball or football game and I see the vast majority of professionals, housewives, and teenager using blackberries. Maybe its the loyalty to Verizon, but there is definitely a huge market for this.
 
JayInNJ said:
Despite the press and huge sales of Apple iPhones, I am always surprised when at a professional baseball or football game and I see the vast majority of professionals, housewives, and teenager using blackberries. Maybe its the loyalty to Verizon, but there is definitely a huge market for this.
Click to expand...

And lawyers 110%. They still love them to death. (And as little as a year ago, outside of a BB, what were other smartphone options on Verizon? WinMo6/6.5 and a Palm Centro? That was about it. No Droids and No Palm Pre Pluses. I would choose BB in those circumstances too!)
 
oohhhh the shiny.... its sooooo shiny.....

Wait! Its a crackberry?! lol

If it has close to the iPad's battery life, it would be tempting.
 
Dear god its the iPad name threads again. Is it really that important?
 
This looks promising. The blackberry phones are a piece of sh--. Bad UI, trackball that never works... I would love to try this thing in real life when it comes out. Competition is always good :D (probably the 200th person to say this)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back