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124 Comments

BlackBerry Remote Hands-On!

By Kevin Michaluk on 10 Jan 2012 01:00 pm
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Use your BlackBerry Smartphone to control your BlackBerry PlayBook!

One of the slightly complicated to grasp at first but awesome features about the BlackBerry PlayBook has always been BlackBerry Bridge. If you own both a BlackBerry PlayBook and a BlackBerry Smartphone, you can pair them together to do more. RIM likes to think of this as the 1 + 1 = 3 type of experience. Prior to the rollout of native email, calendar and contacts on the PlayBook, BlackBerry Bridge allowed you to access this content directly from your phone as well as use BBM and even browse the web without tethering. With BlackBerry Remote functionality on BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is further expanding BlackBerry Bridge's functionality.

There are some REALLY awesome features here that are both geektastic and pretty compelling for the average consumer too. One of these cool features is the new Open On PlayBook feature. If somebody emails you a link or document to your BlackBerry Smartphone, you can hit the menu key on that link/file and choose to open it on your BlackBerry PlayBook (an easy way to take advantage of that bigger screen). Check it out in the video above. The implementation is pretty slick.

Even more fun is the new Remote Control functionality that can be accessed via the BlackBerry Bridge app on your BlackBerry Smartphone. Once opened, you can literally use your BlackBerry Smartphone to control your BlackBerry PlayBook. That's right - you can hook your PlayBook up to your TV, sit back on the couch and then use your phone as a remote to fully control the experience. You can cursor around and even "swipe" on your phone with the virtual bezels that show up on the phone's display. Switching over to presenter mode on your phone, you could even use your phone as clicker for a a Powerpoint presentation being delivered from the PlayBook. 

And perhaps my favorite feature here is the ability to USE THE KEYBOARD ON YOUR BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONE to type on your BlackBerry PlayBook. This was a feature I was hoping would come to the BlackBerry PlayBook since day 1, and with PlayBook OS 2 it's here. I can't wait to use my Bold 9900's keyboard to type on my PlayBook. And in this case your BlackBerry phone shortcuts and saved autotexts will all come through on the PlayBook as well.

Definitely check out the video above to get a great look at Remote Control functionality on the BlackBerry PlayBook!

Topics: BlackBerry Playbook BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 CES2012 News & Rumors

First Look: Deploying Enterprise Apps to the BlackBerry PlayBook via App World Previous
First Look: Full Video Walk Through of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 Native Email, Calendar, Contacts and more!Next
Kevin Michaluk Kevin Michaluk 3674 (articles) 3017 (forum posts)
124 comments

CrackBerryTorch9800

Did they add spell check to the other portions of the playbook that didn't have it? i NEED spell check lol

yourpoison

this looks so sweet, but who wants to bet iphone remote is now going to be out soon.

shebmiller

You're probably right but WAAWAAWEEWOOOOW! This is one crazy cool feature!!!

thecsman

And BGR will be WWWOOOOOAAAAOAOAOAOAAAOWWWW VISIONARY AND REVOLUTIONARY!

lol

msmara

iphone touchscreen keyboard remote for ipad would be redundant!

ianbordas

AWESOME!!!!!!!!! GO RIM!!!

Now just need a nice HDMI + CHARGING dock to place my PB close to my HDTV!

This feature will be also great for presentations!!

BrandonBartelsX

Most TVS with HDMI also have USB ports, mine does, so I charge it while connected. Just a thought, see if yours does as well.

mavricxx

+1 and if possible add a full size SD card slot too the Dock so we can transfer back and forth and even post pics from your camera to fb etc... Another feature I'd love to see is USB hosting.

cl8baller

I noticed the LED notification being implemented on the PlayBook which is awesome, I am curious if OS5 and OS6 devices will be able to take full advantage of BlackBerry Remote.

neilwick

I saw confirmation elsewhere that OS6 and OS7 were both compatible with the new features, so I'm assuming that OS5 probably will not be.

See this post for the person who checked with RIM on this:
http://tinyurl.com/73ykvzk

timmsy

you might want to take that back as i am on my 9780 OS 6 and it has no option within bridge to take remote control of the playbook on OS2!!

RIM Platinum Partner : o2 Data Centre of Excellence

Business Communications Solution Provider
part of Mobile Telecoms Tech Team

gtamhankar

O M G! If this isnt awesome, what is?

ignites

u can tell when kevin's seen this before. Usually if its new and something cool like this kevin would be like WOW and drooling all over. This time he was more calm... obviously he knew before and was 'acting' for us today =P

diruocco

Could we still pull this off if we have lets say a bold 9780 that does not have a touch screen?

AVPTI

You would use your trackpad.

If you wanted to exit and app, you would bring cursor to bottom of PlayBook screen and the cursor will change from an arrow to a "tile and small arrow pointing up" design to signify you want to go to the tab carousel. If that makes any sense.

RoseBud68

Now that my friends is some cool chit right there.

Superfly_FR

Grrrreeeeeeaaaaatttttt !
Dancing X2 ... thanks to http://youtu.be/0haOwa7feYY

Nate650

Wow, that is awesome! CL8Baller brings up a good question. How will it work for non-touchscreen BlackBerry smartphones?

xXBLACKBERRYXx5

they said in the video touchscreen OR trackpad :)

BB_Bmore

Two questions,
1.Did he just pull up the crackberry site on the playbook using the bridge browser or was that wifi?
2.Will us os5 and 6 owners be able to use the remote also?

Nate650

More good questions. For #1, I suppose ideally if Wi-Fi is available it should use that and if not it should use the Bridge?

BB_Bmore

The reason i asked is because if it was brought up via bridge browser,it seems as if the speed has increased by a whole hell of a lot.I barely use my bridge because of the SLOWMOTION....

neilwick

As I said in reply to someone else, there was only mention of OS6 and OS7 for the remote feature.

jimbob4321

if only this was available at launch last year....

lotuslanderz

Get over it already!

jimbob4321

hahah... am definitely over it... just excited now for the launch... still its interesting to imagine how the tablet market might look had this been released as originally scheduled :)

lotuslanderz

:) I think we're all excited!
Tablet market is still young. Still a work in progress but I like how RIM is differentiating itself.

lang007

And "they" said the playbook was going away. NOT!!!!!!!!!!! This is very nice can not wait to get the new sw.

lotuslanderz

Hmmmm. Makes me want to get a new 7.1 BB phone (have an iphone). Was holding off for the BBX/BB10 phones when my contract is up next year but this really is SWEET!

chern

Will we be able to control playbooks music app via the volumen up/down keys on our phone device.

P.s.: when does os 7.1 roll out for the 9900? :P

AVPTI

Yesterday, but it all depends on your carrier and being certified by them.

chern

i thought it was only for the 9930

Thomasrox3

I'm willing to bet my BBOS 5 9000 isn't going to get any love from this. Lifes a bitch, and I need a new phone :(

Zizzzzy

Woop! One of my "wouldn't it be awesome if they added this" featured is now a reality!!

I cant stand typing on glass!, no more miss clicked adds while scrolling, and should make editing typos possible

artie

All I can say is "WoW"!!!

QuIcKsIlV3r

OMG this is sooooo awesome!!!!

Marvin-13

(besides typing), isn't it easier to just do all that stuff from the actual Playbook?

coolcut

Not when its hooked up to my 47" lcd and im sitting back 7 feet away on my sofa B-)

JackKennedy

This is neat, very neat, but agree with jimbob4321, if they are marketing playbook as this BlackBerry accessory more than an actual tablet, then shouldn't they have released this when they launched the playbook.

Still, the practical aspect of this for me is questionable, as I usually use my playbook only when I am not using a computer or around my desk. Holding a tablet with one hand and operating it with a smartphone with another is slightly tricky.

It makes a cool party trick and maybe useful when I am around some sort of flat surface and wants to type, but I doubt it's worth the trouble.

Marc_Paradise

Keep in mind yours is only one use case.

I use my phone (and PB to lesser extent) almost exclusively for email even when I'm working at my desk.

This is enough to get me to get a dock/stand in anticipation...

nievz

I think Kevin missed an important item here. Will it support OS6 devices? I know we can't have the touch screen controls for most os6 devices, but the keyboard, etc. are they available for OS6?

Kevin, please update your post. I feel left out...

djdnz

I would like to know this as well - I assume it would work but if it doesn't that would stink :(

ChrisO89

Definitely makes hooking it up to a projector for HD output a lot more useful!!

Mallet21

Wow!! That is one badass feature

vbev84

Wow, I was wondering how useful this is going to be looks amazing. Plus the added functionality of predictive text. PlayBook steeping its game up. Plus you Canadians and your "Right On" makes me laugh

seemsixty7

THIS is way cool!!! The remote feature is fantastic!!!

jjca

WOW... Right On.....

s7khan

I got to say, I'm impressed!

aloofkid

Is it just me but tears came from my eyes because I'm very impressed and happy about this new feature. I'll now enjoy my Playbook and 9900 together.

buckwylder

i made the suggestion for a "bb-remote" in the forums a long time ago, glad to see it is actually taken seriously! i remember people loving that idea, cool

___________________________________________________________

in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere

Jake2826

All these cool new tools coming at the same time. It's going to be like getting a freakin new tablet! I love it!

bgriff25

Wow!! Thanks Kevin. This will be better than Christmas! I can't wait!!

BarracudaBob

This looks awesome. I was worried it would be laggy, but it wasn't. I'll definitely be using this when my Playbook is hooked up to HDMI.

sf49ers

that is wicked stuff..

BB_Bmore

They should scrap the "Playbook" name and call it "The BlackBerry one bad mutha fuggin tablet"!!!!!

TomCanuck

Nice, finally something new for RIM to demo for a year. Getting tired of hearing about Email on the PlayBook. At least RIM's come up with something new to demo but never give us.

07thking

I'm proud to be a BlackBerry Slut!!

And RIM, please give us a Dock with HDMI out, thank you :)

XPEH

F-ing A, RIM! Can't wait for February!

VaDMoore757

OMG!!!! BlackBerry overload! I absolutely love this! And the bezel gesture implementation is absolutely amazing!

buckwylder

i just wanna pass out until february, then wake up to the new playbook os

____________________________________________________________

in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere

gyubok

this is actually pretty cool

buckwylder

it will be humorous to see the reactions of all the "bb haters" out there, they will literally have to invent more lies if they're gonna try to stay "bb haters"

i knew rim was gonna pull through to shock and amaze in 2012, i just knew it

these 2 videos (this and the native email one) completely made my day! i'm SO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

___________________________________________________________

in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere

Elyssa_38

this is sooo great. Need a 9900 asap...

Was it me or did he used a swipe feature on the 9790 ? so would this make a bbx phone easier to build assuming and hoping we have swipe features on the bb10? not sure but it doesnt seem like building bb10 should be that difficult just saying, since they already have their basic foundations on the playbook.

pirerman

what kind of sorcery is this? mother of god! OS5 and 6 love?

buckwylder

exciting future for rim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omg love it so much

now all we need is peace in the middle east, so take heed to the speech and watch the fun beast unleash, who play second fiddle to no one, capisce (cah-peesh)?

_________________________________________________________

in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere

Darlaten

If the Playbook is off, can you turn on the Playbook via the remote app? For example, my Playbook is sitting on a counter, I get an email message with a web-link in it on my phone and I want to view it on the Playbook. Do I need to physically go to the Playbook, turn it on, turn on bluetooth pairing, go back to the phone, open the remote app, launch the weblink into the Playbook's browser?

What would be nice if I could do all of that via the remote as in, oh look, I got an email with a weblink that I want to view in the browser. I'll just press this button which will automatically start the Playbook and voila I'm done.

Regarding OS 5.0; I sent a tweet question to RIM yesterday asking whether or not the remote features would work with other OS's or whether it is relegated to OS 7. The response I received indicated it would work for OS 6 and 7.

Siiid

im diggin this feature. can't wait.

El Platanero

I was actually choked up. This is the stuff I always knew why Blackberry stood out for me. Not Angry Birds, fart apps or anything like that. Productivity is where it's at.

sam_b77

They need to have an aggressive marketing campaign to show this feature off.

This is the "leap over the competition" Balisillie was talking about.

Punjabi007

Did anyone notice he said AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO EXISTING USERS AND ALL "NEW" PLAYBOOKS starting in Febuary?
Is RIM pulling something out of the hat with a new Playbook model also??

MattyC47

would have to think 4g/LTE and 10' are in the works

neilwick

I think he just meant that they are going to start boxing them up with 2.0 already installed. It seems that they still have lots of the original inventory of 32GB and 64GB models, so those will probably have to download the new OS on first boot-up, but there is evidence of 16GB and at least one 32GB boxed up since the Black Friday sale, so they may be packaging new ones going forward.

There is no mention of a new model yet, and I have a feeling that's a low priority at the moment.

demagician

Will it work in OS 5?? I haven't bought new ones yet and still rocking in 9700...

chi-town311

I have a 9850. I really like this remote app, but I was wondering if you can use teh virtual keyboard to type on the playbook. They didn't really mention this, but it would be nice to navigate to a website while having the PB connected to HDMI.

MattyC47

yes, although its not a "remote app" its and upgraded blackberry bridge with new features.

Pootermobile

This has pushed my interest in getting a PlayBook to REALLY wanting a PlayBook now :) so awesome RIM!

Blackberry_boffin

suddenly I now know the real meaning of COOL.

Nicallnet

This is indeed pretty awesome! I was about to purchase a bluetooth keyboard and mouse to use the playbook with my TV, but I don't have to anymore. My 9900 will do just fine! :-)

npunk42

Things are getting exciting!!

loberry

I'm so exicited for all the new features!!!
Way to go RIM!!!!!

coolcut

This makes me happy inside:)

Kingkracker

This is beyond BOSSSSS OMG! This makes the wait worthwhile.

holy sheep shit batman!

amardeep.rana

Now just add :

1) Access to files on network attached storage
2) Native external USB HDD support
3) A Dock with HDMI and full size USB ports
4) An improved media player

and you have the ultimate home media center!!

mavricxx

Also add full size a SD card slot on the Dock...

Pilot Prop

now this may influence my decision to go ahead and purchase a playbook...impressive!

tremarco69

I'm very Impressed as well! These are some very innovative ideas from RIM! Keep bringing it! show them who's Boss around these parts!

Malachi.2.15

OH YEAH!!! Just plane awesome!!!

morpho4444

I have cancer, and my lung is destroyed by smoking... I need this to live! (jk with my illness stuff)

morpho4444

I have just canceled my lung transplant.. I need this more than ever.. I am getting out of the hospital... I need to get a playbook right now! 64gb no less!

morpho4444

I think a bunch of nurses are persecuting me.. Im on 5th avenue running with my hospital suit... Im heading to the nearest bestbuy on west and lincon... damn so many cars!

morpho4444

daaamn!! 64gb there is so much room for activities!!!!
I need this to liveeeee.. gtfo you piece of shit, a old woman cut me and didnt let me pass into best buy, I kicked her

I have it!!!!

crackd11

morpho4444 i don't wanna know where you kept your wallet!

Good stuff. Can we make this into a movie??

zoomlink1

Sounds like having a 16 gig playbook is okay, cause if u can play media stored on your phone, then I'd just get a 32 gig card and be happy.

imcurved

A w e s o m e - d e s !

johnmarki

Thats Ballin' with a capital B!

jthep

Shyt, now what am I gonna do with my bluetooth keyboard? It took awhile to get these features, so I guess I got my money's worth outta my bt kb, oh well. Awesome new features though...

pastornordel

tbis is cool, but i still wish my playbook had its own trackpad. tbis is all tacit admission that virtual keyboards really suck for editing.

drmike

How many more sleeps until this comes? Waiting for Christmas will be easier. I love this function. I can now use my PB in presentations for customers!!!! Huge!!! I love it.

pepe68

That's some really freakin cool stuff!!! RIM is on the way back boys & girls!!!

tstrike34

OMFG... That is awesome... I mean completely sweet indeed!!! Man o Man.. Talk about throwing fastballs on a 3-2 count!

tumer

this just turn my tv into a smart tv :)

mattBAM

Will this remote feature work on my 9800 and OS6? Anyone want to take a guess?

elementalfit

Most exciting thing I've seen from RIM in quite some time. THIS is awesome.

mavricxx

I want OS 7.1 (UMA, Hotspot) on T-Mobile!!!!

MobileZen

A very cool unexpected feature for owners of a Playbook and Blackberry. I currently use a 12 ft micro-HDMI cable that allows me to have the PB near me on the couch while surfing simultaneously. If I have guests, I can just leave my Playbook by the TV and remote from my BB. Typing e-mails on the bigger screen along with predictive text has become so much more easy and productive. Can't wait to try this out! :)

juacas

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!!!

TeaBoy

i see a bright future ahead for RIM.
But Att Need to drop that extra charge..so call tethering fee...

allengeorge

There needs to be an API so that anyone can hook into bridge and do this :)
I'm also surprised they didn't use NFC to open the URL...

zensen

samsung tab and the sony tablet s can be used as universal remotes, c'mon RIM, I'd like to see this interact with my tv too!

mdguy99

In my dream world this would be a full mirroring experience between the BB and the Playbook, on the BB you'd just scroll around a window of the Playbook screen, or if you wanted just magnify the BB screen on the playbook. if you tapped on either you'd get the same result, a true mirror/marriage. And in insane world there would also be a BBTV box like a Roku and you could mirror all three together. Maybe in BB10 with Playbook 3.0... :-)

rjkolo

Best feature I have seen on ANY tablet thus far. Great job RIM, now just don't drop the ball and get this too as ASAP!

matrixsuperstar

does OPENon work with music and video...2.0 description said it works with multimedia. so far ive only seen it work with pictures and links

webcrawler

Awesome.....I cannot wait for this!!

jimBB

Can this work between the playbook and an android phone?
Or playbook to playbook?

I am thinking of the use case where the playbook sits
under the TV connected by HDMI, and a second playbook,
or android phone, acts as the remote.