RIM's PlayBook OS 2.0 goes live, native email at last

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 23 February 2012 00:26

Your IT - Mobility

It might not be BlackBerry's 'Defence Department' trusted level of email, but the PlayBook finally gets its OS 2.0 and native email, calendaring and more, adding a new lease of life to RIM's trim tablet.

If you're the owner of a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, it's time to update it to version 2.0 of its QNX-based operating system, one which finally delivers native apps like email.

Email wasn't available as a native app in the original PlayBook OS, as RIM couldn't figure out how to put the same BlackBerry email account on two separate devices, on account of the super high security around its email accounts that some governments around the world complained they couldn't monitor.

So, RIM has manoeuvred around this problem by allowing you to link up to your existing email accounts (including webmail), while restricting BlackBerry email accounts to synchronising with Microsoft Exchange - much like the other tablet makers solve the problem, although without giving the PlayBook the same security-heightened email access that BlackBerry smartphones still enjoy.

There's still the ability to use BlackBerry Bridge to link a BlackBerry smartphone to the PlayBook, but with 'regular' email now possible directly on the tablet through a native app, a massive gap in the PlayBook's play book has now played itself out, playing the PlayBook back into the tablet game - even though some might see it all as too little, too late.

After all, the iPad 2S/3 is due shortly, Android ICS 4.0 tablets continue arriving, and Microsoft's Windows 8 tablets will be here en masse in a little over six months time, but RIM's not dead yet, and its OS 2.0 update is a good sign - especially for those who have purchased the PlayBook in the first place!

RIM's SVP of Mobile Computing, David J Smith, stated that: 'Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet's proven web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support'.

Here's the list of new OS 2.0 features that RIM has highlighted in its press release:

- Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as personal and work email accounts.

- Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.

- Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry Bridge is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry smartphone (including BBM, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it's easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimised viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.

- Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry Balance allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.

- New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World today (including a range of Android apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

There's also a new 'Mobile Fusion' initiative that 'will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones in an enterprise', with the full version of this software due 'in late March 2012'.

So, if you're a PlayBook owner'¦ a free OS 2.0 update awaits, is quick to download and install, adds long-awaited new native apps and adds new life to RIM's 7-inch PlayBook. It's a must-update update!