Anyone pick up the Blackberry Playbook yet?

[Evil Chris]

I demo'd it last weekend. Pretty cool.
I think it went on sale yesterday. Starts at $499. It's the first tablet I've taken a serious interest in.

[Phoenix]

weird guy has one

[Evil Chris]

Here's the deal-breaker right here:

According to reviewers, one of the most glaring shortcomings is the PlayBook doesn't have an independent function for email, calendars, or address books. Instead, users are forced to connect, or "tether," their existing BlackBerrys to the device for access to email and the Internet.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/...#ixzz1KArv7dat

[Chosen]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

Here's the deal-breaker right here:

That's pretty stupid of them...

[Evil Chris]

More bad news...
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-te...ily_2011-04-21


Looks like a HUGE mistake by BB to release this.

[Eldon Hoke]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

More bad news...
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-te...ily_2011-04-21


Looks like a HUGE mistake by BB to release this.

Anything that Blackberry release is a huge mistake.

[WiredGuy]

Its really slick but a lot of the features I expected are coming soon (a few weeks). For example, it has both a front and back HD camera perfect for video conferencing. Except there's no video conf app yet. The one for Playbook comes out in about 4 weeks. Skype's app should be a few months. Blackberry Bridge app that links your BB to Playbook is great. Let's you share your emails and contacts, calendars and synch's like a charm. No BBM on Playbook, yet. 4 weeks again.

I get the distinct impression it was rushed to market to compete with iPad, but it *will* be great. My main reason for purchasing it was mostly a tablet with Flash/JS support. No iTunes bullshit either, you can wirelessly share your Playbook as an external drive Z and transfer whatever you want over your WiFi.

Definitely better than the iPad but it will really be amazing once the apps being built for it are ready.
WG

[facialfreak]

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

Its really slick but a lot of the features I expected are coming soon (a few weeks). For example, it has both a front and back HD camera perfect for video conferencing. Except there's no video conf app yet. The one for Playbook comes out in about 4 weeks. Skype's app should be a few months. Blackberry Bridge app that links your BB to Playbook is great. Let's you share your emails and contacts, calendars and synch's like a charm. No BBM on Playbook, yet. 4 weeks again.

I get the distinct impression it was rushed to market to compete with iPad, but it *will* be great. My main reason for purchasing it was mostly a tablet with Flash/JS support. No iTunes bullshit either, you can wirelessly share your Playbook as an external drive Z and transfer whatever you want over your WiFi.

Definitely better than the iPad but it will really be amazing once the apps being built for it are ready.
WG

Yes ... it was rushed to market to launch on the same day as the Motorola XOOM

Personally, I'd rather have waited 2 more months - to get the iPad killer that it's been hyped to be since last fall ....

This "mistake" is going to be an expensive one for RIM ... personally I wish they would just do dedicated SECURE push email devices (with phone functionality as a bonus) that they have built their entire existence around ... if people want a tablet, buy an iPad ... but for those looking for a SECURE, serious business device, they can buy a Blackberry ...

I am a devoted Blackberry fanboy ... but even I have to call it as it is, and the premature release of the PlayBook is REALLY gonna hurt RIM ..

[Si]

I looked at it but not being ready/having all the options ready, is stopping me from getting one.

[sandman!]

i got one the list of apps available is pretty weak at launch but i figure in 1-3 months there will be everything i want.

its still a fun toy for me.