RIM Playbook
 

Here's a video from Ars Technica showing the RIM Playbook vs. the iPad in a browsing comparison. The playbook clearly offers the superior experience based on a number of tests, and looks quite good overall!

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...wn-to-ipad.ars

I suspect that this product has been heartily tuned for efficiency, and the beefy Tegra 2 lending more than a helping hand with this amazing performance.

(* as a side question, I wonder what JS engine is being used. )

The playbook is shaping up to be quite the product! It shows that RIM has paid close attention to detail in the UX, as it's looking remarkably polished. It remains to be seen weather the app support will rival that of Android or iOS, though for key apps, this tablet should hold its own nicely.

Very impressive RIM. Just goes to show what a little attention to detail can yield.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I should say, that the iPad browser is quite good on its own and this is only one area of comparison. Nevertheless, the playbook looks quite nice!

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Now this is very cool. Apparently the Playbook has a 'module cavity' for expandability!

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....1289937793.jpg
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/j...ule-cavity-hi/

This is a feature that I wish laptops had (for USB connected accessories -- eg. wireless mouse dongle/3g dongle). It would be nice to have always-connected USB dongles tucked into the body of the device, rather than hanging off of the side.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Here's the first Engadget hands-on of the Playbook:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....ybook600tk.jpg
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/b...ands-on-video/

The task-switching interface is very Palm Pre, and that's a very *good* thing as it's a wonderful metaphor for task management.

An interesting feature is that applications in the background aren't automatically halted (android does this), and the task manager can continually update the display and show the resultant live app in the task 'card' (android doesn't do this -- so far as I can tell). Palm does the same thing with their task manager.

All in all, it's very interesting! The stakes have been raised!

Re: RIM Playbook - Off screen controls!
 

WebOS-like multitasking with unique off screen gesture controls for opening, minimizing and switching between apps. Sounds interesting.

http://www.tabletpcreview.com/defaul...laybook+tablet

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Java Environment on Playbook may support Dalvik VM for Android apps

http://www.bgr.com/2011/01/26/exclus...-android-apps/

Re: RIM Playbook
 

The RIM Playbook development process gets a very serious rant:

read the rest

Re: RIM Playbook
 

BB responds:

http://devblog.blackberry.com/2011/0...per-relations/

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Good to see them respond this way. Hopefully it will be an indication that they will be seriously improving their development process.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Playbook says its Native Development Kit (NDK) will support C/C++ with "industry standard GNU toolchains." Does Samsung or any other 7" tablet maker offer this?

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Good question, and yes. The NDK has been available for Android circa v2.0 and beyond. Most Android games are coded in C/C++ as I understand it. In fact I believe it was game developers that persuaded this functionality.

I'm quite certain that GNU standard toolkits are not supported, but I suppose you can install any shared libs you deem useful, or statically compile the functionality into your code. The downside is that you have to be mindful of the Google Market size restrictions. Then again, Gameloft has gotten around this via their own app store.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

The reviews are coming out. Here is Joshua Topolsky's

http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/13/b...aybook-review/

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I find this product and RIM's defence of it to be very weird.

http://www.loopinsight.com/2011/04/1...-core-element/
"Among the major criticisms from reviewers was the lack of a native email client for the PlayBook — a strange omission from the company that made its name on secure email.

RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said that people are “overplaying one aspect that really isn’t a core element that we’ve seen from our enterprise customers or webmail people.”

Did RIM’s CEO just say that email isn’t a core element of the BlackBerry PlayBook?"

and as regards its available software application range

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...pproaches.html
"Some critics suggested RIM rushed an unfinished device to market, a charge Balsillie refutes.

“I don’t think that’s fair,” said Balsillie, 50, in a television interview with Bloomberg News yesterday, pointing out that more than 60 million BlackBerry smartphone users can pair their phones and PlayBooks to read e-mail and connect to the Internet. “A lot of the people that want this want a secure and free extension of their BlackBerry.” "

I think I get it now, you need to be an existing Blackberry user and advocate in order to get real benefit from the Play Book. Otherwise it is a case of nice hardware but then what?

This is a great shame to have to write this device off as an option - for the foreseeable future anyway. We need to have a wide choice in the 7" tablet space and why would someone like me, not a Blackberry fan, want to buy this?

It is not surprising that RIM execs are being touchily defensive, witness the recent BBC walkout debacle. This is a company that is looking to the future with trepidation and is uncomfortably aware that it is losing its touch and floundering in trying to get it back.

Yes it has but read through the comments by the very developers that RIM needs to convince, and they do not appear to be particularly satisfied.

Although I have never been drawn to RIM's mobile phone products, personally I want to see a company of RIM's undoubted quality succeed and to produce a product that I want to own. So this is being written with a strong sense of disappointed expectations.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I think it pairs with phones other than Blackberries - you only need to pair with a Blackberry if you want to get that nice BB email experience.

I am looking at it as a possible replacement of my N8x0. Many of the deficiencies people are pointing to (not a standalone device, louse email support, incomplete software) are deficiencies I lived with before to get the right form factor. What I want (best-of-class browser, best audio playback, very good video plawback) is there.

So this will be interesting product to watch.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

We share the experience of being N800 owners but we differ in our reaction to that experience.

I don't forgive Nokia for requiring me to live with deficiencies and I refuse to permit any company to do that do me again.

At that time the N800 was a unique product so what choice did i have? But now that is not so, 7" tablets are becoming more and more ubiquituous so, given choice, why would I pay for a device with such glaring deficiencies.

I agree it will be interesting to watch.

"said Balsillie. “It’s something we can run with a long, long time into the future."
But in the meantime it will be a long long time into the future before I part with my cash for it.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

interesting comments here.

after using is for about 1 hour...there really isnt to much to it yet...it will efectively, for me, replace taking my booklet 3g around for presentations as it has all the office procucts pre-installed...so connecting to a projector will be easy...

i do not play games on the device...so no worries there,

the email think is bothersome, but i remember reading somewhere that that would be fixed in an update some time towards the summer...so i can go online to the email login...just fine...or continue with my n900.

the web-browser was the most important...i hate other platforms needing to use apps for everything killing the web experience...this is a fully working browser giving the same experience as my pc.

the multi-tasking is superior

the ux is simple and easy to figure out

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I like using Ubuntu (and LXDE) and Windows 7 ... there is a very nice familiarity with that user interface. But I agree that it is not so finger friendly.

The iPad2 is an atrocity considering how dumbbed down the user interface is. This is not a large phone, this is meant to be a mobile computer (think laptop) where the primary input is via finger touch.

CM7 on tablets (Nook) looks decent but really is a large phone. It doesn't make it feel like a mobile computer as I would wish.

The Honeycomb UI tries to pack more than the iPad, which I applause. But it does it in a very awkward and confusing way... it really isn't intuitive or helpful for novice users. More importantly, it isn't built for quick navigation/usage as I would have hoped.

I can't remember the Touchpad's user interface ... ... I'll try to see some videos.

SO far, the RIM Playbook has the best tablet interface because it does real multitasking and switching between running applications is a breeze. Opening new ones are relatively easy too. Its a great blend of the two.

I wonder if an Android custom rom (CM8?) can be built that implements a "app switching" just like maemo (or even like the playbook). And one that can help stack two open applications side-by-side (like the Kyocera Echo). As well as support closing apps by holding the back button (not just pausing them=wasted ram) and run apps in the background instead of just pausing them.... comon I'm not eleven, I want to be able to harness the power inside.

The technology's there: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/i...i-for-android/
Even this is better than the iPad's UI: http://www.meegoexperts.com/2011/04/...-beijing-2011/

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I'm pretty sure it can be. It would need to listen for touch events (in the background) that originate at the very edge, then provide an animation of transition between windows, as well as to switch UI contexts.

Another thing that might work, is a four finger gesture, to zoom out all running apps for a quick tap to select what you want. This is pretty common for desktop UIs and I think I would prefer it to cycling through a bunch of apps, especially considering that Android apps don't close like traditional apps do -- there is no user requirement to close an Android application.

In either of these schemes, though, you're going to be utilizing at least the same amount of clicks to get to what you're looking for. In fact, with the swipe-to-select, you can use far more on average.

The HC way of app selection is not terribly pretty, but it is very functional, and requires very little brains to understand how it works. It could have been implemented a little prettier, though.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I keep thinking about the 4-finger swipe ... but then I realize it can severely limit the device.

On a large (10") size, there are possibilities for some "fun" games that implements four players (like 4 player reactor) ... and if all four swipe in the same time it could accidentally trigger the app-pane and kill the buzz.
And that's one example, think of how many other things could possibly be limited.

I think a better management could be to smartly assign secondary functions to the "Android buttons". From left to right, we can have Back, Home, Menu.
Hit Back and it goes back a page/watever inside the App. However hold on it for 1.5seconds and it should kill the app (no ram wasting) and get you on the Home screen (MIUI Style).
Hit Home and it gets you back to the Home screen (MIUI Style). However, hold the Home button then it gets you to a listing of all the Apps you opened (background tasks stay hidden) just like in Maemo.
And then when you hit Menu it will open that App's contextual Menu, and it will also make the status bar appear if it was hidden (eg if your watching a video, hit Menu quickly see the time in notifbar, hit Menu again to hide it).
When you hold the Menu bar, it again brings the notification bar, but it should trigger the Search function, so the text box is also activated on the top, and the onscreen keyboard appears. Now this Search will only search through the app (ie a keyword in a message if your in sms) but you should have a little button on the side of the text box which opens a list for you to search (within the App, within the phone, Google Search, Maps etc).

Now this is dependent on the device to have the three buttons on the bezel. If they are missing then the same concept applies, except the notification bar becomes much thicker (Touch friendly) and it incorporates the "Android buttons". And so the Satus bar in the slate would need to be always on (like 100%) and placed on the left edge when in andscape mode, looking like this:
____
[l___] <Tablet
^Status bar

Re: RIM Playbook
 

" 'Why RIM chose to ship the PlayBook in such a state is unfathomable"

http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-te...d-unusable-534

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I could have sworn I wrote a response to this!

Anyways, here goes for the second time ;)

Yes this is a very good point (re: 4 finger swipe).

I actually like the way that Honeycomb does app switching over the playbook, though it could be done a little more stylishly. Both systems require at least 2 finger presses to get to the application. In the case of swiping left and right, this count can increase past 2.

I think that HC should have a single click of the app-swticher button, and then perhaps zoom out all windows so that you can select among those that were previously running. The zoom prevents this from being confusing as the user can see that their current window is now a part of many running windows, and re-select it, or select something else.

Again, I prefer the mechanism that Honeycomb uses (to the playbook), though the way its drawn on the screen could be much, much better.

I don't care so much about live windows either, I think it's a waste of resources and battery life. I much prefer the way Android does multitasking as it allows the developer choice over what happens when the app loses focus, and eliminates the need for the user to explicity 'close' an application (similar to palm OS of old).

Re: RIM Playbook
 

So it is mentioned on other thread that there are minimal differences between QNX and Maemo

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=63016&page=5

I'm not sure this is the case. Perhaps the differences between QNX and Maemo are less than the differences between Android and Maemo, but I'm not sure the differences are minimal. certainly, a big diff is that QNX is not open source. others may know the details, please chime in...

Also, isn't Playbook the only shipping mobile tablet with TI OMAP 44xx?

Re: RIM Playbook
 

boring post to subscribe. soz.

has anyone figured out a hack to it yet?

all i know is that if you open a browser and type

that it opens the file system.

i have not tried ssh yet


one thing for sure....capacitive is so much less accurate then my resistive n900 on a smaller screen...and this needs arrow keys...editing text sux.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

after about 5 hours on the playbook...my assesment is that it is nice, but i am glad i did not have to pay for it.

i still prefer my n900 over the playbook.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

want to change some fonts...fojnd the fonts repo in the file system, but most of the system is lockdd out.

hope someone comes ip with an xterm and root process! ;)

Re: RIM Playbook
 

This illustrates a major shortcoming (IMHO). QNX is posix and thus very familiar (and powerful), but it's also closed. I bet it will be more frustrating to use than even open posix-complaint mobile systems, as there will be many things to work-around to have true freedom.

In the end, I'm guessing you'd be better off trying to install MeeGo to the system.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

lol...if it had a pim sunc function and email and contacts a calendar...would be fine.


but for us linux n900 user...we like customization, which is really not even an opton on other devices unlike the n900.

so far, despite those deficencies...its a good device...needs some update though.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Just got a freelance experience on the iPad2, ASUS Transformer and the RIM Playbook back-to-back.

I can comfortably say the iPad is bad for ereading, or carrying around unless its in your bag. For browsing, typing, "apps" its great.

The Transformer is slightly better for browsing, typing and apps --thanks to its better aspect ratio and keyboard. It is slightly larger than the iPad so portability wise, it also *must* be in a bag (sidebag, backpack, beachbag etc).

The RIM Playbook was worse for apps (very little and some badly implemented). The browser was not quite there, and screen size was a real hinderence. Typing was excellent, superior to the iPad because when held in portrait the keyboard fits perfectly under your thumb. And UX-wise I can say wow. I really like the quick switching and having apps run in the background.

I think RIM can sell me one if they shaved the bezel (I want to grip it comfortably in one of my large hands), make it lighter (I could strap it to my thigh/jacket pocket). Fix the obvious shortcomings (apps, glitches etc). And make it necessary to use 2+ finger for its app switching.

I would also want to buy one in 8.9" (with supershaved bezels on portrait sides) just to see how it improves the browsing and video playback experience.

I think RIM has definitely given this more effort than HP did to the TouchPad.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

The native SDK is now available:
http://www.pdfdevices.com/blackberry...oes-into-beta/

How much does full POSIX compliance really help with porting apps when QNX does not support X11?

Re: RIM Playbook
 

16GB version is going for 199$ at http://store.shopblackberry.com/

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Same version is still ~US$600 here in Australia.
The PlayBook is nice, but it isn't upto iOS and Honeycomb level... it has some pitfalls.

The WORST thing about the PlayBook is that such shortcomings could've been remedied early on, and if it had launched in such a fashion it could've been a hit.

I don't doubt people will be comparing it to a CyanogenMod9 Nook Tablet

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Nook tablet and Kindle Fire lack back/front cameras and GPS. Playbook seems like a good gift option :) providing its low price. (There was also 10$ discount on top of 199) If Nook comes less than 200$ I might get one as another gift :)

Re: RIM Playbook
 

I have had an Archos 70 250gb (7 inch screen, Android) for a while but was seduced by the Playbook (64gb, $400). The hardware is amazing--gorgeous and very responsive screen. The Archos sometimes is very much not responsive. The Playbook feels very solid and premium. I would not describe the Archos that way. The Playbook paired with my N900 with speed and ease. But the Playbook has issues.

It is smaller over all in size than the Archos, yet less portable due to slightly more width--harder to hold one-handed and will not fit in back pockets like the Archos does.
The headphone jack is in awkward location--the top right corner facing up when in landscape orientation.
There's no way to edit saved bookmarks (the URL name, actual URL address or their organization. All you can do is delete.).
No way to edit URL in address bar if URL text is off screen.
Power button is too small. A minor quibble, but it is.
Crazy slow viewing of large photos. It once took 27 seconds to bring up a very large jpeg. It was a file intended for printing, so stoopid large. Repeat testing is around 12-15 seconds for same file.
It has no support for ogg or FLAC. At all.
Can't connect to the 'App World' when bluetooth tethering. Only via wifi.
No possibility of connecting a digital camera or USB stick/card reader.
Won't charge over USB (unless screen off or asleep?--unconfirmed but I read this).

The OS is super slick, gorgeous, fast and multitasks like a champ. The OS elegance and touch screen quality are the only tablets that rival an iPad IMHO. But the OS lacks many basic things right now. And I am an ogg user and am really disappointed in that regard. And it's awkward headphone placement and too wide body make it impractical for walk-around media use. So a very mixed bag. I don't care about the lack of email because I never set email up on my Android tablet either. My N900 does this for me well enough.
I like it. But it is not a winner in its current state.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

Now rooted.

Re: RIM Playbook
 

If there is a PlayBook firesale (like the TouchPad), I'm definitely buying it. It's the only tablet I can say truthfully that competes with the iPad.

I've yet to see ICS on a tablet. I know, within a year PlayBook will get all those "apps" that people want because they're too lazy to visit the websites for them. And it will also get Dalvik support, bringing more Angry Birds action.