Workaround for WiFi file sharing on the BlackBerry PlayBook

The latest update for the BlackBerry PlayBook brought us performance updates and fun new features, like pinch-to-zoom video. The update has also caused a small problem: WiFi file sharing is not working. After enabling the WiFi file sharing feature on the PlayBook, a person would normally find the name of the PlayBook in a list of networked devices. Indeed even now, that name should be in the list. However connecting to that named device is causing problems.

Never fear; There's a quick and easy workaround to this problem. Oddly enough, this is the preferred method of connecting, described in this BlackBerry Knowledge Base article. First, you'll need the IP address of your PlayBook. Open the PlayBook's settings by tapping the Gear icon in the upper right of the Status Ribbon. Select the About tab, and then select Network from the drop-down menu. You want the IPv4 address, which will probably be something like 192.168.x.x 

• Windows XP. Use the Windows Key-R combination to open the run menu. Type \\192.xxx.x.x That's backslash-backslash your-playbooks-ip For example, I would type \\192.168.1.2
• Windows Vista, Windows 7: Same thing, but you can also type that in the bar at the bottom of the Start menu
• Mac: "[S]elect Go -> Connect to Server... and type smb://127.1.1.1 (where 127.1.1.1 should be replaced with the actual IP address of the BlackBerry PlayBook)" 

Chances are, this bug will be fixed quite shortly, rendering this article moot. In the meantime, it's quite easy to get back up and running with the PlayBook's WiFi File sharing. Thanks to tofo17 and BuzzStarField for making excellent contributions to our forums.