A bit too eager to hit the market, the Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry PlayBook decided to release a little early than its official date, 16th June 2011in the British stores (London, UK).
The retailers for the sale include Currys, Dixons, Warehouse, Insight UK, Carphone, Best Buy and Phones4u. The PlayBook can be bought from any Phones4u store or can even be ordered online from Phones4u website. The cost of the PlayBook ranges from £399.95 to £559.95, depending on its various versions.
There was a lot of anticipation and curiosity regarding this PlayBook and anxious customers were happy from the news of early arrival. Being new in the tablet market, RIM tries to give the other tablet operating systems a run for competition. But ‘new’ can never be a tough competitor for the ‘experienced’.
RIM’s first attempt at a PC is a combination of ups and downs. On the upside the tablet consists of a 7 inch touch screen, dual camera (3 mega pixel in front and 5 mega pixel in back), well built hardware, motion sensor, fast processor, digital compass, GPS accelerometer, USB port, Wi-Fi connection, multitasking, HD multimedia, music store, Adobe Flash Player, web browsing facility and is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions. The tablet is able to run Google Android and BlackBerry smartphone applications.
But in opposition to these functions there are a lot of features seemingly missing as well. The PlayBook does not have a built in email and so has to be in connection with a BlackBerry Smartphone to gain access to the email. Other important applications and standard items are also absent like messaging, Skype, Yahoo, a full size USB port, camera flash, contacts, headphones connectivity etc. The operating system of the PlayBook is not similar to RIM’s BlackBerry Smartphones as it has been developed by QNX.
In order to improve its app facilities, RIM plans to add Android 2.3 apps in the PlayBook.
It tries to compete against the successful 9.7 inch Apple iPad 2 but with its present qualities the BlackBerry PlayBook does not stand in comparison to it as yet and is struggling in the competition.
BlackBerry products are no doubt famous in the tech market and its smart designs and solid quality make them worth buying. But the tablet field is dominated by Apple and Android PC’s that are popular among consumers. Yet the rivalry stands strong and BlackBerry tablets are not to be missed. Although, the BlackBerry PlayBook is lacking in some features and qualities right now, still it seems promising and can yet re-do, enhance and overcome the glitches. It is easier to carry around than Apple iPad 2 as it is smaller in size. With the addition of the missing specs there is yet hope for RIM to survive in the competitive tablet market.
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