RIM Announces BlackBerry PlayBook Specs and Availability

RIM has revealed specs for its upcoming tablet computer, the BlackBerry PlayBook. Coming to America (Oha!!!) in early 2011, the device features impressive multimedia capabilities and the tight corporate integration the BlackBerry brand is known for. Here are the specs, followed by a sizzle video:

  • 7” LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
  • BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
  • 1 GHz dual-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
  • Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
  • Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
  • HDMI video output
  • Wi-Fi – 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
  • Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL, Java
  • Ultra thin and portable:
  • Measures 5.1”x7.6”x0.4” (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
  • Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
  • Additional features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook will be shared on or before the date this product is launched in retail outlets.
  • RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

The hardware and specs look great, but the software is made by RIM so I’m approaching it with caution. That said, the screens and video of the OS look pretty sharp. I’m more excited by the PlayBook than I thought I’d be. Also, I think WWE Superstar MVP should be required to use one.

What do you think of the BlackBerry PlayBook. Any of you interested?

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

14 thoughts on “RIM Announces BlackBerry PlayBook Specs and Availability”

  1. It looks cool, but if I were seriously considering anything like this then I would probably take a look at an android tablet first. I feel like those will be better overall, and I still wouldn't be that interested in an iPad. Anything like this though probably wouldn't have too much media on it- that's what my iPod touch is for.

  2. @smartguy That's not BlacKBerry OS. The tablet OS is based off of QNX, which RIM bought earlier in the year. If you watch the vide then you'll see it's nothing like the phone OS. It actually looks interesting and modern.

  3. @Ray

    Compared to iOS and Android I reserve the right to have a somewhat guarded preconception of any software associated with RIM. Blame the torch if need be.

  4. I would have grabbed one of these right up a few months ago when I was still rocking my Bold or if the Torch had been released in a more timely fashion. But since you can't access the internet via 3G on them without it being tethered to a Blackberry phone then (unless wifi) it just isn't for me anymore.

    Also starting to think that either Android, Samsung or AT&T aren't for me anymore either, or it is the combination of the 3 I hate.

  5. Quick question. If you were applying for a job with Research In Motion or worked there would you tell anyone?

    "Yes I would like an application for the RIM job"

  6. @Ray

    1) The 4 main buttons below the screen occasionally take several presses to work. The first 1-2 to light the button back up and make them become responsive and a 3rd to actually launch what you wanted. The time out well before the screen @ just 3 seconds.

    2) Where is Froyo?

    3) GPS is worthless even with the update

    4) AT&T/Samsung just removed the built-in Tether feature.

    5) Messaging settings only save as long as Messaging is running in the background. Restart the phone or back completely out of messages and settings revert.

    6) After finishing a call you have to wait 3-5 seconds while it continues to show the person you just hung up with and a screen that says call ended and you are unable to quickly place another call or do anything else.

    I love the hardware of the phone. I hate that it bogs down due to memory loss (even with ATK). Also AT&T has preloaded so much bloatware that keeps starting up even when I never access it (Navigator and AT&T Wifi) you can't delete the apps either the best you can do is bury them several screens deep.

  7. @SlickyFats:

    1) That's weird. I haven't had that issue with the Fascinate.

    2) Yeah, I miss FroYo. It's hitting the Galaxy S soon, but it's up to the American carriers to roll it out.

    3) That's disturbing. The GPS on the Fascinate isn't as accurate as the other Android phones I've reviewed this year, but it's not as bad as what I've heard the Captivate and Vibrant pulls up (i.e. pulling locations in neighboring towns).

    4) That's all AT&T. You shouldn't blame Samsung for that.

    5) That's just dumb. I use Google Voice for SMS, so I've never heard of that issue.

    6) That's also weird. I didn't notice that issue on the Fascinate.

  8. @Ray

    I blame the tethering on both of them because with the 6+ hours I spent on the phone with AT&T and Samsung America (what a joke btw no one speaks english) on Friday, AT&T said it was all Samsung (which I highly doubt) and Samsung said it was a joint decision due to performance issues caused by the addition of it. So if they are going to take part of the blame I am going to give it.

    @GPS. Mine won't even locate me. Just always says location unavailable, my GPS app says it can easily locate 10 sats though.. AT&T and Samsung told me to make sure "Use Wireless Network" is checked and it will work better. That's a crock of Sh** though because the it isn't really GPS then and you are somewhere within 3000-5000 feet of the radius it shows.

  9. @Slicky

    Try using ADW launcher or something of that sort to minimize the Touchwiz experience. That might make your device more responsive. If I'm not mistaken the device is easily rooted since the bootloader is unlocked so a wifi tethering app shouldn't be hard to get or you can just wait for Froyo and then another 12 hours after that it will be rooted and you can wifi tether from the OS.

    That's a great piece of hardware, sorry to hear that the software and carrier decisions are bending you over at times.

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