News & Rumors

BlackBerry PlayBook announced!

by Kevin Michaluk

on 27 Sep 2010 04:32 PM

333

Watch the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet preview video!

[ youtube video link for mobile viewing ]

Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow. This is purely awesome. Seriously, we've been talking about the QNX OS and BlackBerry tablet rumors for months now, yet somehow I wasn't convinced we'd actually get to see the tablet get announced at BlackBerry DevCon this year. But wow, did it get announced, and WOW.. is it frack'n awesome. The BlackBerry PlayBook is the OS and the type of product we've been wanting to see from Research In Motion for a long time now. And it looks like it's going to deliver. An operating system that delivers EVERYTHING... awesome web, gaming, video experience. Awesome hardware specs. It doesn't sacrifice the BlackBerry enterprise heritage. The future of BlackBerry looks promising once again!

Key features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook include:

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
Memory: 16GB, 32GB and 64GBB versions to be available
5300mAh battery
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.

Watch the video preview above and check out the full press release below. You can also visit blackberry.com/playbook for more info. Excited yet? How about that name PlayBook? I'm LOVING it. Drop us a comment with your thoughts or talk about in our BlackBerry PlayBook forum.

Press Release

RIM Unveils The BlackBerry PlayBook

New Professional-Grade Tablet Delivers Unmatched Power and Web Performance

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 27, 2010) - BlackBerry DEVCON 2010 - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today redefined the possibilities for mobile computing with the unveiling of its new professional-grade BlackBerry® PlayBook tablet and BlackBerry® Tablet OS.

Perfect for either large organizations or an "army of one", the BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to give users what they want, including uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and high performance multimedia, while also providing advanced security features, out-of-the-box enterprise support and a breakthrough development platform for IT departments and developers. The incredibly powerful and innovative BlackBerry PlayBook is truly a game-changing product in the growing tablet marketplace.

"RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world's most robust and flexible operating systems," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "The BlackBerry PlayBook solidly hits the mark with industry leading power, true multitasking, uncompromised web browsing and high performance multimedia."

The Tablet You'll Want to Take Everywhere

This beautifully designed and incredibly powerful tablet is ultra portable, ultra thin and super convenient for both work and play. Measuring less than half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound, the BlackBerry PlayBook features a vivid 7" high resolution display that looks and feels great in your hand. With such a unique mix of utility, performance and portability, you'll want to take it everywhere.

The New Benchmark in Tablet Performance

At its heart, the BlackBerry PlayBook is a multitasking powerhouse. Its groundbreaking performance is jointly fueled by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and the new BlackBerry Tablet OS which supports true symmetric multiprocessing. Together, the abundant processing power and highly sophisticated OS enable the BlackBerry PlayBook to provide users with true multitasking and a highly-responsive and fluid touch screen experience for apps and content services.

Uncompromised Web Browsing

With support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, Adobe® Mobile AIR® and HTML-5, the BlackBerry PlayBook provides customers with an uncompromised, high-fidelity web experience and offers them the ability to enjoy all of the sites, games and media on the web. For more than a decade, the mobile industry has worked to bridge the gap between the "real web" and mobile devices through various apps and technologies and, in fact, a significant number of mobile apps today still simply serve as a proxy for web content that already exists on the web. The BlackBerry PlayBook closes that gap and brings the real, full web experience to mobile users while also opening new and more exciting opportunities for developers and content publishers.

High Performance Multimedia

The BlackBerry PlayBook features premium multimedia features to support high-quality mobile experiences. It includes dual HD cameras for video capture and video conferencing that can both record HD video at the same time, and an HDMI-out port for presenting one's creations on external displays. The BlackBerry PlayBook also offers rich stereo sound and a media player that rivals the best in the industry.

BlackBerry Integration

For those BlackBerry PlayBook users who carry a BlackBerry smartphone*, it will also be possible to pair their tablet and smartphone using a secure Bluetooth® connection. This means they can opt to use the larger tablet display to seamlessly and securely view any of the email, BBM^TM, calendar, tasks, documents and other content that resides on (or is accessible through) their smartphone. They can also use their tablet and smartphone interchangeably without worrying about syncing or duplicating data. This secure integration of BlackBerry tablets and smartphones is a particularly useful feature for those business users who want to leave their laptop behind.

Enterprise Ready

Thanks to the seamless and secure Bluetooth pairing experience and the highly secure underlying OS architecture, the BlackBerry PlayBook is enterprise ready and compatible (out-of-the-box) with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server. When connected over Bluetooth, the smartphone content is viewable on the tablet, but the content actually remains stored on the BlackBerry smartphone and is only temporarily cached on the tablet (and subject to IT policy controls). With this approach to information security, IT departments can deploy the BlackBerry PlayBook to employees out-of-the-box without worrying about all the security and manageability issues that arise when corporate data is stored on yet another device.

QNX Neutrino Reliability

The BlackBerry Tablet OS is built upon the QNX® Neutrino® microkernel architecture, one of the most reliable, secure and robust operating system architectures in the world. Neutrino has been field hardened for years and is being used to support mission-critical applications in everything from planes, trains and automobiles to medical equipment and the largest core routers that run the Internet. The new BlackBerry Tablet OS leverages and builds upon the many proven strengths of this QNX Neutrino architecture to support a professional grade tablet experience and to redefine the possibilities for mobile computing.

An OS Built for Developers

The Neutrino based microkernel architecture in the BlackBerry Tablet OS delivers exceptional performance, high scalability, Common Criteria EAL 4+ security, and support for industry standard tools that are already familiar to hundreds of thousands of developers. The OS is fully POSIX compliant enabling easy portability of C-based code, supports Open GL for 2D and 3D graphics intensive applications like gaming, and will run applications built in Adobe Mobile AIR as well as the new BlackBerry® WebWorks^TM app platform announced today (which will allow apps to be written to run on BlackBerry PlayBook tablets as well as BlackBerry smartphones with BlackBerry® 6). The BlackBerry Tablet OS will also support Java enabling developers to easily bring their existing BlackBerry 6 Java applications to the BlackBerry Tablet OS environment.

Key features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook include:

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.

Availability

The BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to be available in retail outlets and other channels in the United States in early 2011 with rollouts in other international markets beginning in (calendar) Q2.

RIM will begin working with developers and select corporate customers next month to begin development and early testing efforts.

The BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK is planned for release in the coming weeks and developers can register for early access at www.blackberry.com/developers/tabletos.

For more information, visit www.blackberry.com/playbook.

333 Comments

Posted by callmeforge Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Couldn't be more excited!

Posted by raval76 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Finally something to be excited about! Finally a great product to talk about...the torch, revised bold or OS6 was a waste of time. Yes, there is hope and RIM has a pulse. Alive and possibly not lost in some "Nokia/Motorola" world of mediocrity. NOW IS THE OPPORTUNTIY to get drop OS6, climb back on top of the cutting edge and release some nice handsets with this new OS! Capture the holiday market and increase application developer attention and production....this is your opportunity RIM...GRAB IT!!!

Posted by NewBBn00b Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Completely agree. I do not like the new touch screen operation of OS6. It FEELS slow even when it really isn't. Most current mobile systems track with your finger when you swipe; the way OS6 works, there is a delay after swiping on the home screen (to switch between favorites and such). It was a nice step, and I like the added features, but to me the interface between the home screen and apps feels clunky and complicated.

I really hope that the tablet OS is the future of BB mobile phones. Please let this be OS7. Full flash, Webkit, and WebOS-like multitasking (which is an awesome OS on crappy hardware and a worse battery, but I digress). Also, it looks like they added the one feature that prevented great games from coming to BB, the ability to store apps to other than the main RAM. Try fitting a game that has close to 20MB like Angry Birds on an existing 512MB BB where the OS takes up half the memory (hope you don't need other apps like BBM).

If this is the future, and the OS on the tablet can be translated to a phone, then BB will definitely regain their stand, hopefully driving other OS's to innovate and perfect ideas as well.

Note: I currently have a Tour, Storm 2, and Palm Pre Plus (got it cheap on eBay). I switch back and forth on occasion, but now mainly use the Pre due to the better gaming apps, improved multi-tasking, and much better browser. I found the Pre to operate very much like a BB, but with a slicker user experience. This tablet OS could be just the combo I was looking for, best of both worlds.

Posted by drjay868 Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

This should be released a few months before the "first or second LTE phone for Verizon" which will be a BB (looking like the Storm4G from what I've been reading). Which means we'll be able to tether it to our new BB4G... between that and WiFi, why would I want this to have a 3G or 4G connection built in giving me another monthly bill?

Posted by stsys Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

A Commercial is just that and it is hard to get a good feel for what it will actually be like until some first hand reviews come in. Given the availability date is early 2011 (could be late Q1 or Q2)...that leaves a lot of time. So this is interesting but too far out at the moment for me to get too excited. CES will be filled with "like" tablets from a hardware standpoint. So the OS will really be the factor. Given RIMs record there I am concerned...

Another poster meantioned SurePress - god - I hope not - that will kill it for sure!

Posted by AJFSTORM Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

There's isn't a hardware company out there that hasn't shown a tablet of their own since the iPad was released, and even before it was released. Where are they? Have you seen them out there in public? I see the iPad everywhere.

Rim and the others have had YEARS to develop a tablet of their own but they still can't seem to do so, and certainly not one as successful as the iPad. As a matter of fact, why has it taken Rim so long to show even a prototype ? A cell phone company like Rim should have been the first company to give Apple some real competition given that the iPad is really just a big iPhone using the same OS. The problem is that Rim's iPhone "equivalent" is the POS Storm, that's why it's taken so long and why it'll probably suck.

Posted by slant Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Of course it took longer. RIM actually made a tablet. Please do not mention the iSad in the same breath as the PlayBook anymore the iSad is basically a fisher price toy compared to this.

iFad/iSad vs. PlayBook
-Twice the weight
-Lower pixel density (looks crappier)
-single core cpu
-no multi-threading
-1/4 the ram (256mb to 1GB)
-No Camera (Let alone front and back 1080p)
-No Video Calling
-No HDMI Output
-No USB (30 PIN only)
-No Tethering
-No Flash

So heres the question: Why did it take one company longer to build a sports car than another company that has been building and selling tricycles for a year.

Posted by jpro757 Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Aww. This comment was the best the specs clearly show the playbook will be a game changer. Lets just hope it cam get to market before Apple copies and release their updated isad..

Posted by stsys Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

This is no game changer from a hardware perspective. Taiwanese and Chinese OEMs are falling all over each other offering equivalent and better spec'd platforms to anyone and everyone. The OS and Apps will determine whether RIM further tarnishes the brand or manages to get it pointed in the right direction. The OS is a wild card frankly and they did not reveal any App story. Given it is a developers conference what is the App story and tools strategy for this?
Details, I know, those little details.

The hardware specs did not cause any earthquake in Cupertino, Mountain View, Austin, Taipei or Shenzhen. These specs are already looking mainstream in the product planning cycle and depending on time to market for the product could be behind the curve. But again the OS and Apps are more important anyway.

Posted by slant Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

I don't think anyone can question the OS. QNX has proven itself in multiple industries for the last decade. As for apps I think you're way off base with this. This is not a toy and it's not being marketed as one. It will obviously have the essential office/productivity applications for its target market. Being able to download disposable apps and games is not what this is about. Will it have the ability to run them...yes. Better than iPad...yes. But being able to download piano software or fierce towers is not what will make or break this. Hence the video calling/hdmi output etc. The iPad is nothing more than an oversized first gen iPod touch. And techies and professionals (PlayBooks market) know this. As for competition, whether the sweatshops are offering the tech or not, no rumored devices match up yet so it will be atleast 8+ months for such a device to see mass production. Even the next iPad will be below these specs...Jobs will try to match the Galaxy Tab and out market Android. Which will still leave it behind this device.

Posted by Joe257 Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Do you know how good this OS is? This is no fly by night company that RIM bought. RIM has been working with QNX on this for sometime. RIM knew their OS had to be re

I'll tell you this: THE OS *IS* THE GAME CHANGER! BlackBerry Tablet OS... and soon to be BlackBerry OS 7.

This is what will give RIM the flexibility and opportunities to move the BlackBerry brand far forward into the unforseeable future.

While Apple has a crippled and overwhelmed OS (iOS), RIM has a solid, open (POSIX compliant) & real-time OS built just for tiny portable & power hungry devices. BTW, it also runs flash and has a great integrated GUI platform already. This is an OS that sips resources rather than being overwhelmed by it. What a gift!!!

QNX has been doing embedded systems with their microkernel and real-time technology for years. They've got no equals in their domain. Smartphones represented a perfect avenue and platform for them moving forward and they jumped at it with RIM. What a tremendous marriage!

Posted by stsys Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Not sure you do frankly.
Good stuff no doubt.
Perhaps I used the OS term to broadly (as did others).
A RTOS is one thing — a complete packaged solution for a specific application is another.

At least they are in Waterloo so communication should not be an issue.

But no point in arguing we will have plenty of time to just wait and see what comes of it.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

QNX just bought them the future. I can't wait to cannibalize any os from Ios and android to QNX and use on my Playbook- and hey no contract, just Wifi and bluetooth to use through my bb phone - what a cool idea - I couldn't make this up if I tried.

Posted by pixel8rberry Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Do you know how big is the hard drive/internal memory/whatever capacity? I can't find any information on that, other than 1GB RAM. Is that all? Will it accept SD/microSD? Samsung Tablet comes with 16GB/32GB of internal memory, but its RAM is weak at only 512MB.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

hey the samsung galaxy and ipad both have 256 megs of RAM - the Playbook has 1 gigabyte - sorry they lose -

Posted by PineappleUnderTheSea Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

You're comparing Apples to Oranges: iPad has a 10" screen, the Playbook has 7". The real comparison should be to the Samsung tablet. Else, you have to wait until the rumored 7" iPad makes its debut, but Apple has probably already seen your comments and is making a carbon copy of the PlayBook! But I'm sure they'll screw it up, the lack of USB on the iPad is a glaring omission.

I just wish this first gen PlayBook had 3G on it, limiting tethering to a Blackberry might be problematic for the rest of the family who don't have Blackberries (Androids and iPhones are seen as the cool phones, don't ask me why...)

Posted by jega Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 601 days ago

-Twice the weight: If you're obsessed with stuff that feels like nothing.
-display: old school LCD vs LED? new tech over old tech.. come on.
-single core cpu: how fast do you want to be at a terminal in an airport waiting for a delayed flight? and what apps have u seen bb put out that needs so much speed?
-multi threading: you must be a busy man.
-ram: gotta have all that juice for the above two right.
-camera: yes! big Plus for the playbook.. but 2nd gen Ipad will just match that with some sort of bonus.
-video calling: heard of facetime?
-HDMI: 2nd gen
-No USB: proprietary adaptors.. yeah that sux
-no tethering: yeah like wifi+3G right?
-no flash: yes about the only + for playbook!

I'm not an Isad fan at all.. i dont even own an apple product, but BB did not come out with a sports car, they just.. are just coming out with a different bicycle... which will in turn lead to a better apple product and hence fall right back into second place once again... is all.
It sux because i do prefer RIM

Posted by zensen Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 597 days ago

the tragic thing about this post is your already giving in to apple who haven't even released an details about an iPad2.

A lot of people don't like apple because of iTunes and its eco-system...

if you compare the ipad to the PlayBook. there's a lot of plusses. you can't knock down a PlayBook with a non-existent product. The only thing the ipad has going for itself right now.. well two things, firstly the PlayBook won't be out til early 2011 and the appstore which isn't the biggest draw card for everyone. A lot of people on Blackberry phone probably could say the same thing.

you make it sound like the iPad was revolutionary in everything. Facetime isn't even on the iPad. its not even a new concept, the tablet isn't a new concept them slapping a name on there and calling it a Pad doesn't change what it really is.

The iPad is exactly how I've seen all first gen products from apple in the last decade.. lacking and restrictive.
sure the 2nd gen will probably throw in a few things here and there but it'll feel like they are still holding back.

Posted by Leo J Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Explain to me in what way shape or form the Playbook is the Storm !!!!!

Posted by bcalahan Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

If the Playbook had SurePress it would have to be about a half an inch thicker. It will definitely not have SurePress

Posted by maam Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

but I'm going to wait out until the 3g/4g comes out!

Posted by elmejor1009 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Way to bring it. Amazing, been waiting for this

Posted by Yousif Abdullah Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Posted by Jaiden Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

The next storm is gonna be a palm sized version of this? If so, put me down for two!

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

We are going to have a hard time getting our hands on one.
Awesome, just awesome!

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

We are going to have a hard time getting our hands on one.
Awesome, just awesome!

Posted by Mike_is_Mike Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

Any mention of PRICE? Monthly charges?

I hope I can pare it to my old Storm, I am DEFINITELY NOT getting a Storm refresh now. Early 2011, huh? and the Storm3 is out late 2011? My Storm will be three years old by the time the NEW Storm is released. But at least the PlayBook will keep me occupied until then.

At first I thought the Playbook was too small, but the more I thought about it, it is a much better traveling size than the iPad. Typing might be a slight problem. I'll have to get more info and do a hands on before I buy - but it sure is nice to see something interesting come out of BB.

I was hoping the Storm3 would be at least as big as the Droid X, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. So for the foreseeable future we will be carrying two BB devices around (plus any second cell phone we might have too.) gunna have to get a utility belt.

Posted by jwsnj3rd Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

damn looks sweet

Posted by harveyjr Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Can't wait to get it!!!!

Posted by R-Rizzo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Holy effin bubblegum, I want one.... ThatIsAll

Posted by bcalahan Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

I could not of said it better.

Posted by tnewton3 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

So glad I didn't get the ipad.

Posted by glinc Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

really??? if this thing even has the blackberry appworld, you can't even compare that garbage market against the apple appstore.... heck! even the android market is way better than the bb appworld.

Only good thing from this might be BBM.

Posted by Riders On The Storm Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Maybe this will turn a new leaf for BB app development because this looks like there will be a lot of potential here. The device sounds good, but the apps will make it great and I think right now Apple has the lead (for now).

Posted by netposer Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

With Flash support you won't need an app for every freaking thing. Just go to Hulu and... *gasp*... watch some tv shows.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

As the previous reply say, you've got the whole web on here. An don't forget this is QNX which is super good at rendering graphics and very easy to program for. Anyone who has put an App up in Apple or android can adapt it to QNX as easy as farting. Don't worry this thing will have apps galore.

And hell who wouldn't want to program for something this sexy.

This is better than Christmas, just wish I could have got one by then.

Posted by jacmeister68 Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

the new qnx os will allow the developers of existing apple and android apps tio easily convert to run on qnx. This is why they are asking for the developers to get the apps over for launch q1.

The apps for this will be like itunes and android market. win win situation

Posted by ygthb Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

can it hang on the BB connection, or does it need its own?

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

Looks like it can tether via bluetooth.

Posted by noTh1ng Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

this thing is just amazing, im only hoping that it costs less than a 1000 bucks :)

Posted by Druskey Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Tell me when and where and I'll be in line to buy it!

Posted by Witmen Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Day one purchase for me, Way to bring it RIM. This thing is awesome. Can't wait!

Posted by tumer Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Can't see it

Posted by echofoxx Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Yea, i love how they kept this quite. I was losing faith. But rim you spin me right round. I love it. I don;t usually talk bad about other devices but we should always have a choice. not just apple.

Posted by dojohnso Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

anybody else having issues with getting to blackberry.com/playbook? you'd think they'd have the site they advertise live by now...

Posted by dojohnso Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

but still, I almost actually might think about getting one, especially if I can get some development IDE's on it

Posted by xxcatcher16xx Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

It was probably down due to the RUSH OF PEOPLE GOING TO LOOK AT IT!!! :)

Posted by TomWilliams Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This is awesome news, RIM has played a trump card over Apple and has done it the right way.

Proud to have stuck with RIM and the Berry whilst others have run off to Apple and Android, ooh Awesome begins with an A as well!

Posted by cardu3851 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

They pull me back in!!

(Not that I was ever leaving...I'm waiting for all the haters to voice up!)

Posted by garment69 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Dam, that looks pretty sweet. At least we know why all their headsets have been crap for the last year. All the R&D went to this thing.

Posted by SnoopTodd Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Jeez this looks sweet!!

Posted by mustangboy88 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

My only concern about this is the app development. No one is going to want to stare at brickbreaker all day.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

QNX OS makes it easy to port applications from other platforms into it. QNX is composed of individual kernals called "servers" that only run when necessary which makes performance better because you're not running parts of the OS that aren't necessary. It's really an advanced OS with symetric processing which means it's efficient and very FAST. I can't wait to get this.

Posted by HorseVu Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

"What's in your PlayBook?"

Posted by Gawain Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Exactly! Whip out the PlayBook! I'm impressed!

Posted by AT81861 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Eat your heart out iPad. Samsung watch out!

Posted by Riders On The Storm Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I'm impressed and I definitely want to see it in action. The specs on paper are spot on, but simulated images aren't the real thing... I'll have my final opinion when some videos come in!

Posted by scowley Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This looks amazing!! Does it run OS6 or the newer QNX?

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

qnx

Posted by glinc Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Expect lawsuit from PALM/HP. This is a pure copycat of webOS.

Posted by blakeberry Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

In what way? Just curious?

Posted by rlbrooks Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

Since the poster didn't expand the "lawsuit" idea. I will try. I am a Pre owner. The PlayBook UI is similar to WebOS Cards. But, I think it is closer to the IPhone media player interface with the 3D shuffle thing. So I don't think there is an infringement. Heck, there are only so many ways to skin a cat, or UI for that matter ;-). RIM might be cutting it close on the launcher bar though. It looks a lot like WebOS's Quick Launch Wave Bar. I guess it depends on how it behaves. Honestly, it looks like the PlayBook shows all programs in a card view at all times. WebOS shows only the actived cards (programs). I wonder if the playbook will be "true multi-tasking" Will it, like WebOS, keep all active cards running in the background, or only those in focus? If all progams are up at once, how does the OS know which ones are active? For the person who said QNX is older, that doesn't make sense to me. QNX was a PC based OS that looked like MAC and Windows. The legacy system had nothing to do with this GUI. This is purely IPhone and WebOS influenced. With all that being said. This thing is pure sexy and is the first device outside of Palm to catch my eye. If HP and Palm doesn't respond. I'm getting one of these beauties. RIM has flipped her hair off her shoulder, and I have noticed.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Doubt it QNX has been around forever.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Palm wishes they used QNX - ha!

Posted by jacmeister68 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

this is the dogs bollocks

Posted by rrrebo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

*drools*
*outlines kidney in Sharpie in anticipation of extraction*

The handset/tablet integration looked fantastic!

Posted by Love808 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

wow it looks sick, i like the way you can pair it up with ur BB and have BBM.

Posted by Love808 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

wow it looks sick, i like the way you can pair it up with ur BB and have BBM.

Posted by bobaloo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I just had the Biggest Nerdgasm ever!!!!!

I have no need for it this, but I really want it.

Posted by infinus Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

cool,
Nerdgasm, perfectly defined.

Posted by wickedny5 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

How will we do a battery pull on this thing??????

Posted by jcagg1271 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Where are the ALT, Shift and Delete keys??? Too funny!

Posted by wickedny5 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

it should have on screen keyboard, lets just hope it supports multi-touch..

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

built in battery - no bat pulls possible - kthxbye

Posted by mykey2k Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

neat feature I noticed: the device/screen pairing at 1:30 in the video.

Posted by tumer Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Who do I need to KILL TO GET ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by kmonarq7 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Uhhh....Wi-Fi? Will there be Wi-Fi?

If you have to tether to get web access, then this is a useless brick.

Posted by garment69 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

maybe? Ya think? Na.

Posted by jcagg1271 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Wi-Fi!!! I knew I was forgetting something when I left the house! STOOPIT! STOOPIT! STOOPIT!!

Posted by kmonarq7 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Wouldnt you have suspected that they would have listed that in the features?

Posted by breakmedown Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

How did you miss that it says it's gonna have b/g/n? Also, it doesn't even seem to be on a wireless network and that the first model will be WiFi only. I assumed that when it said "* RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future. "

Posted by deRusett Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

You need to Tether with Bluetooth for 3G

BUT you get Wifi a/b/g/n out of the box

Best of both worlds IMO

Posted by spialelo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I'm a little wary of anything SurePress/Touch screen from BlackBerry after I had to return my Storm 2 and get a Bold 9650, but I must say this does look tempting. I wouldn't mind seeing more & maybe testing it out in store.

Posted by rontaylor Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Now this is something to get excited about!! Looks awesome!

Posted by nick13b@msn.com Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

All I can say to this is wow...this thing is going to destroy the ipad! when I saw the video I nearly shit my pants I was so excited!!!

Posted by tonusso Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

you are a complete idiot.. there is not way, ipad is away ahead in everything.. just wait for the numbers in sales.. Is going to happen like the torch. please this is another dinosaur from RIM.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

the hardware is more advanced than apple/android anything- and it has standard ports, and it has QNX which means the os only runs what is necessary (the individual kernals are called 'servers') - no contracts, hell you don't even have to worry about applications because most any apps from any platform port easily to QNX - finally an os more advanced than ios or palm webos with advanced hardware acceleration - this is going to be everywhere just watch-

Posted by jwmax Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 601 days ago

I feel sorry for Apple Fan boys, this really is crushing to them. A HUGE part of the appeal of apple is I have the coolest most sexy device out there..... and that's... just... over.

Honestly they must be shitting their pants over at apple. This is not only a great product, it just oozes sex appeal. I'm almost as happy to see the packaging than to see the on screen performance. What I mean is RIM nailed it! They nailed every aspect of it.

Bottom line... just damned good!

Posted by Seegar Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Where is the review Crackberry team? I bet you've had one of these for two weeks just like you did with the torch :P

Posted by edyts Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

this thing looks so sick i cant wait to get one!

Posted by scraptacular Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Two key bits of info missing -- how much and when?

Posted by Matt J Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Finally a REAL tablet. Blows iPad away.

Posted by Riders On The Storm Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

While possibly true, the iPad has a considerable lead at this point.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

just port ios apps to qnx and use on playbook - 5 minutes with downloadable application less than 3 megs already

Posted by 1magine Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I imagine it has wifi G and N, if it has a built in radio - watch out! Those are exactly the spec that it needs to compete. Wow - - If they did that with their handsets, BES users would be hard pressed to be taken seriously when they complain. Maybe the Storm 4?

Posted by BGK Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Looking forward to more info on this - it's got my interest.

Posted by limegrass69 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I want it...

I just hope I don't need ANOTHER data plan and ANOTHER 2 year contract with a mobile carrier. UGH!!

Posted by Xopher Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

It's supposed to link to your BB and use its plan - so no separate data plan needed. :)

Posted by xolanir Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Where are the all the neigh sayers and ship jumpers now? Holy hell this is exciting!!!

Posted by klsmalls1 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I need to hear of a blockbuster Phone coming to Sprint in the extreme near future to stay with BB at this point. Blackberry has been pretty good to me through the last 2 yrs, but with my desire to do more with my phone, it's time for me to move on... Think I'm going to check out the Evo and see if I like it for the 30 days, and if not, back to my 9630 until Sprint & Blackberry give me a worthwhile phone to love again!

Thumbs up to the Diehards that are stickin with BB!!!

Posted by edyts Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This has nothing to do with playbook, go get yer evo, see ya later. I want a playbook!! hd cameras front and rear, wtf really!!!!?

Posted by ben.keen Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I think the video preview of the Playbook looks great and the specs seem to along the lines or other tables out there if not better than some. But personally, I will hold off judgement until I get a demo model. I hate to say it, but RIM really lost a following with the failure of the Torch. I think RIM missed the boat on making a good device but hopefully they saw the errors of their ways and hopefully the Playbook will knock my socks off. I have to say, I'm interested in seeing the device pairing feature and the dual screen support is great along with the 1080P video. Again, I guess we will wait and see when the Playbook drops into the wild.

Posted by pixel8rberry Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

How big is the Hard Drive? What network is it going to be on? 3G, EDGE?

Posted by Jet300 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

WTH?!? - It'll have Flash memory .. not a hard drive .. Read the specs ... Its WiFi device that will pair with your Blackberry handset on any network .... Stand alone 3G and 4g models TBA, presumably on all networks...

Posted by Riders On The Storm Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Of all the specs not posted... that flash memory is one I think I would want to see the most. Right now we know it has 1 GB of ram but I really hope that's not for all apps, operating system, and music/videos. I wish we knew how much memory we had to work with!

Posted by pixel8rberry Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Whatever you call it, if it's only 1GB of memory - then it's no good. I looked up Samsung Tab and it has 16GB/32GB, but RAM is weak at only 512MB.

So I would be careful jumping up and down until they announce internal memory capacity.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

16 gig or 32 gig

Posted by bichigo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

do want.

Posted by Slapnpop826 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I have to buy a new tent so I will be ready to camp out.

Posted by DCBerry21 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Peanut butter sandwiches and instant noodles from now on. Save up save up... I'M GETTING THIS BAD BOY!!!

Posted by Auli Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

LoL. I'm with you on this one.

Posted by tigo30 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

i hope autodesk realease autocad for playbook as they are doing for the ipad

Posted by ffac789 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Now that is what I like to see! Awesome! If they could incorporate that kind of dedication and power to their phones as well that would be awesome!

Posted by tigo30 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

can you tether with this?

Posted by Jet300 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Did you watch the demo? Do you read? ... YES! That's the idea! No additional data charges .. you tether it to your Blackberry ...

Posted by netposer Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Yes, via secure BT according to the specs. I'm assuming via USB too. Until they release the 3G/4G models that's the only way to get online when not on WiFi.

I love the BT tethering option.

On ATT tethering is $20 more but since you can talk on the phone and send/receive data at the same time.

Posted by aydin96 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

typical "RIM; could have, would have, should have" moment !!!!

You wanna home run, you wanna storm the beaches of the tablet-land like its Normandy? Why wouldn't you slap on 4G and watch everybody's reaction.

Another huge inch short finish!!!

Posted by Witmen Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Why? Most people don't want data on this. If someone already has a BB why pay for another data connection? It's not like your going to take this tablet somewhere that you wont have either wifi or your BB. If data was required I would have no interest in this at all and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way.

Posted by aydin96 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

for example, ipad "pay as you go" implementation is a good option. BT pairing on the road will suck the batt dry in 3-4 hours. Well, I see your point as to why someone would need it, but trust me, there are so many people that would love to have an available 4G blast versus their CDMA 3G.

Posted by Witmen Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

How many millions of iPads have been sold? Last estimate from At&t said only about 500,000 of them have ever bothered paying for 3G. It's a nice option for those that want it. But the vast majority of people don't want it. At least the vast majority of iPad owners don't.

Posted by GapBoyPCS Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I think I found my first tablet :)

If anything, I will probably hold off on the Torch now, and get the Playbook instead.

Posted by pantlesspenguin Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Only I want it in cell phone form!!! I want this to be a 4" mobile device w/ those specs and abilities! I have no desire for a tablet, but I would pick up the cell phone version of this sucker in a heartbeat.

Posted by ROB ROCKSTAR Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I can't friggin wait this is gonna be epic , one question though WHEN , WHEN & WHEN will we be able to get our paws on it ????

Posted by ROB ROCKSTAR Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I can't friggin wait this is gonna be epic , one question though WHEN , WHEN & WHEN will we be able to get our paws on it ????

Posted by Stonedicator Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This is mind bottleing!

Posted by zensen Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

what a great name! much better than the ones they gave earlier. Looks awesome.

by the way, im surprised they made it 7". IN a good way though because its not trying to be a tablet pc and its not trying to be a mobile phone. this will be a great companion to the Blackberry phone and other than apps, it has the ports, the OS, the codecs to playback in HD and even has webkit and flash! Still, I much prefer to carry around a netbook but if they can bridge the gap by all means, I hope it succeeds

I'm sure some webOS fans are going to come in here and blast RIM for "copying" them. Maybe they should release a tablet too.

What's exciting is that RIM is willing to use a 1ghz processor ;) and the rumours remain that the new STORM 3 (not the refresh) will have this OS from the start... If this is coming out 2011, expect the true storm successor to be out then too with a 1ghz processor and open gl support.

Posted by DaNomadicOne Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I am pregnant....BB Playbook is the father!!!

Posted by flawson Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I switched my personal phone for an android phone this year (still have a bb work phone), mainly out of disdain and frustration with rim and their lagging hardware/os...
But this may be the tablet for me. I am seriously impressed. Only thing to see is how devs embrace it.
I was literally searching for android tablets just now (which are not great yet) and happened to see this in my results.

Oh and props to cb kevin, using "frack'n"
Haven't been here in a while, glad to see things are in order.
+1 RIM !

Posted by hedone.hawker Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

hm.... yes... I WANT ONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Jonneh Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Looks great! Glad RIM can finally do something good instead of rehashing the same phones only slightly different over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over and even over again. AND again!

Posted by StormJH1 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Really excited about this! Obviously, it's just a teaser ad, and only time will tell how well it is implemented, but the MESSAGE here is right on target. Speaking as a 29-year-old professional who also loves tech toys, I feel like they finally got the message of who their consumers are, and how you can make something professional and fun/sexy at the same time. There's a lot of new technology in here for them to figure out, but with this concept and RIM engineering backing it, how could you be anything but excited?

Posted by bacon.jay Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I love the name "Playbook". It's so much better than Blackpad that it's a wonder why they didn't release the name sooner.

The reference to 'corporate game-plans' as an enterprise tablet as well as being an easily-acceptable name by the general consumer is a smart move by RIM.

Posted by allargon Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

RIM finally leapfrogged the competition.

QNX, Flash, 1080p out, tethering and dual-core out of the box? My only minor quibble is the screen--wish it were widescreen with more resolution. Either way--I want one.

Posted by srvcb Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I know what the announcement says, but I'd be really surprised if the carriers allow tethering without ANY additional fee. Of course maybe by the time it is out, they will all be using tiered data pricing and heavy network users will just have to pay more.

The other uphill battle will be the head start Apple and Google have on them in terms of release date. They will be almost a full model ahead of them by the time it is available.

This makes it interesting again. For enterprise users, maybe just a good implementation of VPN with a nice browser will allow people to conduct business without their laptops.

Posted by Xader Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

T-Mobile has no additional charges for tethering.

Posted by jlb21 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

okee dokee artichokee.....i need one of these.

I really like what it can/can't do. I assume that when "tethered" to a handheld, that since it is over BT, then it's not real tethering from a VZW/we want all of your money/type of perspective.

Posted by wyldemf Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I really hope they create a cell phone version of this with specs that compare to the iphone and evo.

Posted by NYkrinDC Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

As someone who waited, and waited for RIM to up its game for 2 years while I was stuck w/ my Blackberry Storm, this is a breath of fresh air. That RIM has not done this w/ their smartphone OS is one of the main reasons why I, and I suspect, others jumped ship to Android.

Here's hoping that RIM brings the QNX OS to their Smartphones w/ the Specs to match. The more competition, the better for us consumers. If RIM were to come out w/ a phone capable of all of this, I'd have a hard time deciding between Android and Blackberry. This is a very good step in the right direction. However, RIM needs to hurry up and integrate this into its phones, lest they end up like Palm, with too little, too late for it to matter.

Posted by ibcop Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I can't wait to get my beaters on this bad boy!

Posted by Dankees Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Follow On Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/BBPlayBook

Posted by jwicks82 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Now just tell me your going to roll it out for T-Mobile and I am all over it on the first day it hits......don't screw T-Mobile out of this one, I can't stomach another "exclusive" move to Verizon or AT&T again.

Posted by jlb21 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Doh....the first one will be carrier agnostic. It's wi-fi/Secure BT.

No carrier involvement other than piping data to your handheld which you can secure BT pipe to the Playbook.

Posted by Shermanmanman Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

It looks like RIM knew what it was doing, and it looks like the PlayBook will be a major contender in the Tablet world!

Posted by meyerink Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

"Availability

The BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to be available in retail outlets and other channels in the United States in early 2011 with rollouts in other international markets beginning in (calendar) Q2."

Curses Rim Get me all excited and now we have to wait again.

Posted by chaptervstaind83 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I can't wait for the Blackberry Playbook!!!! Wait to go RIM!!! Take that you Ipad/Iphone/Mac F*****S!!!!!! LOL.

Posted by ChristopherGibson Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

OMG I am so proud of you RIM! Now when you do that to a touch screen phone I will return to BB. BTW not hating I love BB! Way to go!

Posted by NSheld Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

HAhahaha...

Totally loving this!

I don't need it..BUT..

I WANT IT!!

Posted by dweese Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

It can't come soon enought

Posted by crackBerryTour Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Wow this kills the ipad.. just when i was deciding to leave blackberry.. I will definitely not be doing that.. haha..

Posted by alicklee Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

omg i so getting one of these. the spec hands down just kick the crap out of the ipad, the funny thing is this devices is not even out yet and it already getting insane reviews!!

I so getting one of them.

Posted by jasonvw Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

RIM just shut up all the haters. The thing is an absolute beast. And best of all the OS looks incredible. Guarentee you we'll see handhelds with it next year. They'll probably follow Nokia and have 2 OS's for 2 different markets, and eventually merge them. The future is very promising for RIM and BB users.

Posted by kbeard26 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Yes I think this is the rumored OS to be on the new BlackBerrys. The storm 3 was rumored to have 1ghz processor and a new OS than the normal BB OS...I believe this is it and this is going to be what we will see on the new Storm 3 and other devices moving forward. I think OS 6 was just something put out there to shut people up for a few months until they release this tablet with the new OS then they will release phones with this OS>

Posted by AT81861 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

What about storage capacity?

Posted by CarFan Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I can't really see BB abandoning it's core BBOS users anytime soon. There are millions out there. I'm thinking BBOS for entry level/overseas and upcoming QNX handsets for premium and power users.

Posted by splinterbutts Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I think the name Playbook doesn't play. Did they look before deciding on this at the internet? Playbook.com is a handicapper's betting site.

Posted by augiedoggie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Nice...this is going to be my next Blackberry!!! Now, only if they could make a phone like that!!!

Posted by boudy_145 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

How cool is this. Exactly what bb needed and you can't beat that name

Posted by mullenbooger Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Compared to the innovation BB has been doing lately this is a major step forward and I may even think about getting one.

But in terms of being a leading edge company they are really falling behind. They are about a year late and a few thousand apps short. I'm no apple fanboy but the lack of apps is going to kill this in the long run. Also Apple has a 1 year headstart and is basically the leader and only player in the tablet market. Something about the RIMM tablet has to be substantially better than the iPAD in order for consumers to choose this over the iPAD and I don't see anything that fits this description. Yeah the specs are pretty powerful, but the iPAD will refresh with better specs probably around the same time this is released.

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

There won't be any shortage of apps for the Playbook.
It's super easy for developers to make apps for QNX.

Posted by tekware Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I like the specs and it appears to perform well, but am I the only one who thinks the bezel is freakin' huge on this thing? I almost looks like a digital picture frame. Seems like a lot of unused screen space. Still wouldn't buy an iPad though.

Posted by CrispyCream Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I'm amazed!! I will definitely be getting this!

Posted by tcannizzo Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

So, RIMM was in the $70-$75 range last year at this time; currently sitting below $50.
Will this bring the investors back?

Posted by driftingstarr Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I still think the slate is a little useless in todays world with the netbook and smartphones (that can do pretty much what a netbook can). However, and this is a big HOWEVER...I'm buying this as soon as its available in the UK...right after I buy my Torch and possibly Storm 3!

Posted by kraphts700 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I've been a lifelong Blackberry user and I'm hoping I'll never leave. This looks amazing!

Posted by MikeSuede Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Did my eyes deceive me? Did I see FLASH?? Lets goooo! I'll take two! This can't be the same RIM. Lol...

Posted by lonestar1135 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

So with device pairing you can run BBM and texts and such on the PlayBook? Oh My God, this is amazing.

Posted by Mario_Brewed_For_Thought Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

What kind of storage does this have? SD expansion? CF? Let's get some serious storage on this thing.

Posted by Frank2029 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

16GB and 32GB models

Posted by driftingstarr Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I also want to know if I can pair more than 1 Blackberry phone. If so, I'm a happy person!

Posted by TheRock2.0 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This OS looks ridiculously sick. The home page has an active tab you can use to scroll between apps. A lot more efficient. Even the messaging app looks pretty sweet. I hope they turned this in to OS7 for their smartphones and the quality of the hardware is good. RIM is finally showing some hope:-)

Posted by zbban1 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I think this thing is going to be a BIG hit!! Would be nice to get some REALLY nice phones, too...

Posted by Diskoman Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

WOW! I am absolutely flabbergasted. If I was running RIM I would take these specs & this OS and shrink the display down to about a quarter of the size (3.5") and call it the Storm X (for QNX?) or something. 1Ghz dual core? 1GB RAM? Dual Cameras? It wouldn't even need to reach the resolution of the iPhone 4's display, as you can't see the difference that small anyway. 800x400 or so would be more than enough. This OS would be so easy for developers to program for that the app store would explode almost overnight. Adobe AIR, full Flash & OpenGL too? RIM, make this NOW and we will buy it hand over fist!

Don't forget, it'll run anything that's designed for BB6 too as well as Java support. Do we even need BB6 anymore?

Posted by The Consigliere Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Looks awesome, can't wait to actually play around with one & see how it feels in the hand & functions. Big question is HOW are they going to sell this? I mean are they going to be available thru major retailers or what? I can't see the Wifi version being locked to any carriers but hopefully the later versions running 3g & 4g will hopefully all drop at the same time.

Posted by AgentScribe Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Apple just recently changed their mind on Flash support. I won't be able to justify getting this for myself, but it is nothing short of awesome.

The question for me, then, is when will this come to  phones and will my Torch support QNX OS?

Posted by breakmedown Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Nice move, RIM. I'm glad to see you still have an interest in high-end devices. Even for those of you nay-sayers that think Apple and other developers will release something with "better" specs by the time this is available for consumer purchase, I think you're kind of off. Numbers don't mean anything and just because a new tablet would have better specs, doesn't mean better performance.

I wouldn't, however, agree that this will kill the iPad. That piece of equipment has a sturdy following and it really isn't all related to the specs. You're delusional if you think that the app market (for Android or iOS) is as nice here. Hopefully that will change, but they're still ahead.

All in all, I'm excited about this. Hopefully RIM will take these advances into their phones and we will see some great new phones from them in Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Posted by wtom95831 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

By the time we can get one, it'll need an OS update.....

Posted by thefonedoc Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

My sentiments entirely :(
Looks great, but by the time this hits the market it's gonna be out-dated

Posted by shawlicon Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Looks like you need another blackberry handset to use BBM on PlayBook.

Spec is really crazy, but hmmmm.... guess I would probably wait to get a 3G version or get a storm 3 =D.

Posted by livejam Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

One customer right here!

Posted by Lyls Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Playbook, come and play with Mama! This is amazing!

Posted by drzmvpx809 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

this tablet actually looks unique unlike the Ipad that's basically looks like a oversized Itouch

Posted by cdf3 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I was amazed when the iPad came out, but wasn't thrilled enough to want one. Got excited about Android's version as well. After seeing the video, and the device pairing features, I want this!!!!

Posted by popologuy Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

It's smaller than the hated ipad, by nearly 3 inches diagonally: won't that affect potential customers? Or, is this the happy medium, the perfect size to fit right between the smartphone and the full-sized laptop?

Posted by courtneyk93 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

since there is a camera on the front, will this be able to work with a webcam-based program such as Skype or any other type of video chat? that would be very useful while i'm in college!

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

Yep!

Posted by tumer Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

let the line ups begin! i feel like waiting in line NOW!

Posted by abdul Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I hope that blackberry users can sync there 6.0 phones with this new tablet.

Posted by puggo63 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Well well well...it's about freakin time - it appears to be EVERYTHING the iPad is NOT!

Posted by jtdiddy Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Moved on from my crappy storm to the Droid X and love Android but this allows me to have best of both worlds and still rock some BB products.

Man, Galaxy Tab, BB Playbook, Ipad2...awesome tablet selections coming out soon.

Just glad that RIM is showing it can still innovate and compete with Apple and Android

Posted by ChuckH0308 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

You know, it's amazing. RIM just continues to release the same old hardware over and over again with the phones, but then comes out with THIS! HOLY FREAKING COW! Now we know where they've been putting all their efforts... this thins looks sweet! It will be interesting to see what kind of things the micro USB will be usable for. I'm hoping that it will be possible to connect a document scanner and other PC related peripherals to it. If that becomes possible then it will be the ultimate traveling business partner, or at least pretty close to it. Yes, I WANT it NOW!

Posted by Cafeina Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I love the size. I love the specs. I love the name. I'm so glad that I stuck with BlackBerry!I knew I made the right decision when I skipped getting an iPad! I'm going to upgrade my phone in anticipation of pairing it with one of these bad boys when they come out :-)

Posted by stsys Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Watched that video a few times and read the specs several times. The video is very generic...the music is good...but the product details are a bit soft.

Noted the following:
* RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

The hardware specs do not look that different from others. Especially if you take into account an early 2011 release.

So it will all come done to software and applications. I would like to hear more about that. Yes, Kindle issued PR release but basically it said we will support anything/everything. So what about Apps?

Posted by mike340t Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I will admit that I am impressed with RIM pulling this out of the hat... However, I am still waiting for similar awesome from a Blackberry handset as well... I have had my upgrade for months and am pissed that there is nothing 'new' but 'refreshed' phones....

Posted by dariuscuh Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

yea... that's true, well lets see what RIM got to offer.

Posted by dariuscuh Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

look what Steve jobs say about the playbook on my tweet ceoSteveJobs "The BlackBerry tablet is going to fail. Mark my words". That jackass stop hatin and let RIM have their moment.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

That guy is the biggest jerk on the planet. I can't understand why there hasn't been a media backlash against him.

Anyway good comeback Steve! LOLOLOLOLOLOL @ APPLE

Posted by infinus Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

He is just scared if some one made better pad than him, he might loose his ceo post.

Big mouth ha steve (blow) jobs.

Posted by Auli Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

That guy needs to see a shrink. Really.

Posted by VIDGMER Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

http://twitter.com/ceoSteveJobs/status/25722863990

http://twitter.com/ceoSteveJobs/status/25733368265

Posted by s3xytime Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Rather get the samsung galaxy tab with android :)

Posted by VIDGMER Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

BB Playbook looks a neat. but I can't wait to get my hands on SamTab..

Posted by SmakBerry Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Good job RIM. This looks amazing! Can't wait to check it out.

Posted by MartyMcfly Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Awesome specs, can't wait to see a real live demo......

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Just another RIM fail.

Nevermind the OS will probably suck. i.e. battery pulls and a horrible browsing experince compared to the iPad.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

OMG you are so full of it. QNX was built from the ground up to NEVER FAIL it's used in a tremendous number of mission critical device. I hope it feel good to reveal what an idiot you are.

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

No 3g or 4g.

EPIC FAIL!!

Posted by moyjoy Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

love that size!

Posted by abtjason Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Would be nice to have by christmas time.

Posted by rookie83 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

cant wait to go hands on I know what I want for xmas!!! Here is my list the blackberry palybook and the storm LTE when it gets announced!!!

Posted by F-16 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Why only 7inch? Would love it in 9-10 inch!!!

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

-There's a reason BlackBerry won't tell you what the PlayBook's battery life is.

-We've got better moves in our playbook, BlackBerry.

-The BlackBerry tablet is going to fail. Mark my words.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

He sounds like a man who just got his ass reamed! :-)

Posted by kbeard26 Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

steve jobs doesn't have a twitter. that is a fake account but it's funny!

Posted by cmcichon Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

WOW, just, WOW.

This looks incredible!

But here's my question - anyone know if the apps will be stored on the internal memory? I know this has been a sticky point for the phones, since it isn't possible.

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I've had bigger chunks of corn in my crap.

Posted by F-16 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

The more i read, the more i think: YES that thing is a FAIL - although it has the flash support, and the ipad doesn't ... 7inch is too big for your jeans pocket and to small to surf/read/whatever ... Fail fail fail - that's a pity :(

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Most websites have already converted to HTML5 with the introduction of the iPad, so Flash support isn't that big of a deal anymore.

Posted by Xader Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Tell that to my Flash-blocker, that lights up like a Christmas tree on dang near every site I visit...

Posted by tes5884 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

gosh hot stuff... i want one, and NOW!!!!!

Posted by robotaholic Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

i totally want this - BB steped up their game wow

Posted by F-16 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

And the name *not* they should have named it Blackpad or whatever ... But Playbook? Sounds like a cheap toy and want's to be a professional tool ... Did I say fail???

Posted by Jake Storm Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

Because naming it afer a feminine hygene product (ipad) is so much better?
People are reading your comments and laughing AT you.

Posted by fabulous3030 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Its not even coming out until next year. Most likly by then apple will have something that is better. RIM just plays catch up and never makes anything new.

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Not a chance. It will take iOS 3 years minimum to catch up to QNX. And thats only if RIM and QNX stop improving it. iPad doesn't even multitask yet lol.

Posted by Xader Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I love how "multitasking" is the buzzword of the year.

Is it a new phenomenon?

Then WTH have BBs been doing all these years?

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I think you missed my point. iOS for the iPad doesn't multitask yet. This new QNX based tablet has symmetrical multiprocessing. So instead of the illusion of 2 things running at once on a single core (previous BB multitasking). We now have an OS that is literally running 2 things at once. Which eliminates overhead from context-switching, time sharing algorithms etc. Which means it will be way faster and will take Apple forever to catch up to, since they don't even have simple multitasking implemented in their iPad.

Posted by Xader Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

Oh, I don't disagree with your assessment at all!

I agree completely that the pairing of excellent hardware with the QNX OS is a revolutionary leap in the device market.

It was just a general musing on the state of the market and the misconception among the less-informed that "multitasking" in general is a new ability.

Posted by dr.fozanw Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

they did not mention anything about that! all these specs need lots of juice.

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Wow, absolutely amazing. I don't know how anyone can think this is doomed. I don't know how anyone can even begin to compare an iPad with this. iPads don't even have multi-tasking let alone the ability to perform symmetric multiprocessing. Anyone with any sort of tech knowledge knows that QNX is years ahead of Android and iOS. This QNX OS is the fastest, most secure, most efficient OS by far. The iOS shipped with iPad 2 will still be 3 years behind QNX. And android is WAY too clunky, and it's not even a tablet OS. RIM and QNX just annihilated the bar that Apple set up.

Posted by sf18443 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I definitely agree, I see many people commenting here are not appreciating what QNX brings to the table

Posted by Xader Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Here's the way I see it.

Android: Windows. It can do a lot, but it's very back-heavy.
iOS: OSX for little devices
QNX: Linux, I suppose? Light & zippy

Posted by sl33pyon3 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Actually, if you looked around, Android is running on Dell's Streak(5.0" and 7") and Samsung's Galaxy Tab. But I am more interested now in the PlayBook. I love how I can show my boss that I can get to corporate files securely without needing any added Apps or special VPN software. Now hopefully we can open PDF's too.

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Just cause Android runs on tablets doesn't mean it's a tablet OS. This QNX OS is specifically designed with Tablets in mind. Android was not. Ever since this rash of Android vulnerabilities it can't be trusted in any capacity.

Posted by robotaholic Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 602 days ago

QNX is amazing - I can't believe RIM BOUGHT QNX! that is insane - so you can basically port any android or Ios app to QNX easily and it automatically adjusts to any resolution -

no need for an application echosystem - we'll just cannibalize the apps that already exist

Posted by billyblonco Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

So the Playbook is running OS6 with QNX technology?

Posted by sf18443 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

The Playbook is running a brand new Operating system built from the QNX technology... OS6 is for the smartphones only... QNX OS is scalable and much much much better suited for the tablets than any other technology anywhere. Now, all we can do is hope that RIM/QNX deliver.

Posted by Snowblind2010 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

How do you squeeze 1080p videos onto a 1024 x 600 display? I suppose it resizes the video but why would you claim 1080p playback when you're only going to get 600p??

Posted by sf18443 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

As has been mentioned...1080p HDMI OUTPUT. Ya know through the HDMI output port.... to an external display. Also, it's pretty cool that you can have one thing being displayed on the screen and someting else on the external display that you hook up to the PLaybook. So, you could be playing a movie on the external display(Your TV in full 1080p) while doing you work on the tablet screen.. Awesome.

Posted by fabulous3030 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

"The BlackBerry tablet is going to fail. Mark my words." " There's a reason BlackBerry won't tell you what the PlayBook's battery life is." From Steve Jobs twitter, lol

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

You expected him to say what exactly?

-Rim just announced a tablet that is going to be technologically unmatchable by us for the better part of this decade

Posted by infinus Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010 603 days ago

See who is jealous now,
Steve (blow) jobs. This time you will fall on your face.

Posted by Dankees Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Follow On Twitter: @BBPlayBook

http://www.Twitter.com/BBPlayBook

Posted by josh05 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

This seems to be an ipad killer based on the specs alone and the new software acquisition by Rim for this playbook was ingenious. I can't wait to pick one up and i hope the user's reviews on this are amazing so all the trolls here that are bashing the playbook can tuck their tails between their legs in shame.

Posted by oilseeker Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

And I'm definitely interested in playing with one at the store, but I'm really not convinced that I'll give up my iPad for it. Apple's lack of Flash is a little annoying, but the internet is a lot faster on my iPad than on my BB, so unless they are using a new program, I think I'll stick to my current devices. You never know though ...

Posted by fabulous3030 Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Im not a tablet fan but if you are going to carry a big tablet around, why not just carry a lap top????? Just curious....

Posted by speedy Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

I hve to have this and I WANT IT NOW!!!!!SOLD!!!!!

Posted by nygjay Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Now when consumers voice what they want in a product that can be delivered in one device ( and its feasible) Rim has to top that list.... WOW!!! WOW!! WOW!!! thats the only word that comes to my mind.....

Rim not only gives specs on its release but its complete with what Rim is able to fit into the Playbook.... The bottom line is when you make a product make it right the first time... Rim has set the bar time and time again.. I hear these apple fan boys talk about the apps.. the app store.... IS THAT IT?? you pride yourself on apps.. Well I will lose a few apps to a device that has been at the top over and over again multiple times in the industry of business mobile devices.. RIM!! WHen we take a look at side by side comparison from Apple's Ipad and Rims first launch of the Playbook lets see who stacks up.. It doesnt have to launch 4 playbooks to get it right unlike apples iphone to due simple tasks.. it doesnt have to start with a basic computing module to only brag on some A4 chip apple wants to claim is taking the market by surprise.. I wish apple would just fold... Im sorry steve jobs and that company irritates me to the fullest...over priced crap for basic computing... anyway... here are the out of the box states side by side from Rim and Apple... One word- Amazing!!

Apple Ipad
Size and weight1
Height:9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Display
9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Capacity3
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive
Processor
1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip

Battery and power4
Built-in 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using 3G data network
Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

TV and video
Support for 1024 by 768 pixels with Dock Connector to VGA Adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable; 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable
H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

RIM Playbook* (as what we know as of now)
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.

We wait to see the storage, as this unfolds will only get better!! Good job Rim

Posted by Auli Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

Very objective. Thumbs up.

Posted by ScottsdaleHokie Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

And when it is announced that the battery life is 2-3 hours, this thing is going to fall flat on it's face.

Posted by slant Monday, Sep 27, 2010 603 days ago

haha, so now that RIM is going to release something that is impossible for Apple to match spec and software wise for at least a year you're gonna resort to making uninformed assumptions about things RIM hasn't divulged yet. Not only that but you're trying to pick on something that RIM has always excelled at. Looks to me like you're the one falling flat on your face right now. Be careful cause it'll hurt twice as much since you have your foot in your mouth.