RIM takes aim at the iPad with the BlackBerry PlayBook - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Baraka_Guru · 09-27-2010, 06:04 PM

YouTube - BlackBerry PlayBook - Preview

RIM Unveils The BlackBerry PlayBook - Marketwire Press Release

Let's cut to the chase.

Here are the specs (with iPad comparisons in red square brackets):

7" LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support [9.7-inch LED backlit]
BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing [and multitasking] [iOS, with "multiswitching" coming soon]
1 GHz dual-core processor [1 GHz (single core)]
1 GB RAM [256 MB RAM]
Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording [N/A]
Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV [H.264 video up to 720p; no DivX/WMV support]
Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA [no WMA support]
HDMI video output [N/A]
Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n [same]
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR [same]
Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts [Base station HDMI/USB connection only]
Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL, Java [No Flash, Java, Reader, POSIX support]
Ultra thin and portable:
o Measures 5.1" x 7.6" x 0.4" (130mm x 193mm x 10mm) [9.56" X 7.47" X 0.5"]
o Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g) [1.5/1.6 lbs. or 680/730g]
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.

I haven't seen what they're going to sell for, but there you go.

Any CrackBerry fans out there? Any potential new fans? What do you think about the device? I think it gives enough flexibility over the iPad to entice those who were critical of the iPad's limitations. I'm not sure about the OS though, and whether that will be a limitation (over, say, a Windows-based device). I have no experience with BlackBerry.

Performance-wise? It might put the iPad to shame. I was surprised to see how little RAM the iPad has, especially compared to the PlayBook, and the difference in video playback resolution is a bit interesting to note as well.

fresnelly · 09-27-2010, 06:47 PM

The flexible connectivity (usb, HDMI) is what's most attractive to me. We have a wifi-only iPad and it's great but if the price is right, I'll seriously consider this in the future.

Xerxys · 09-27-2010, 07:17 PM

Geez! I am so thoroughly disappointed that someone else beside blackberry hasn't taken a stab at this. I sincerely hate blackberry products and very much doubt I will be indulging. Is it that production and launch of such a product are so costly that before they break even or make a profit off this is too much of a risk to consider? My initial prediction of Apple tanking on the launch of the iPad was proved erroneous to begin with. Is it that no one else wants the hassle of competing with Apple's clout?

Leto · 09-28-2010, 04:42 AM

Not sure that I hate BB products. I have been slaved to a device for a couple of years now and seriously don't see how I could get through the business day with an iPhone instead. I have never liked the limited display that BB provides, although the new attempt at a full screen (the Torch) looks promising.

I look forward to this new tablet, and would like to see what kind of apps get generated for it. The flexibility of connections (usb ports) is great and I would love to get one of these without a data plan so that I can just use the WiFi connectivity.

Yes, looking forward to this - curious about the display technologies tho. Is the Playbook's LCD comparable to the iPad's LED screen?

actinic · 09-28-2010, 03:22 PM

For what I do with my work, the BB (8900) suited my needs over the iPhone. Yeah, I txt and e-mail alot and I prefer feel of a physical keyboard over a touch typing. The only thing that I gripe about he BB is web browsing. I can deal w/a smaller display but when I have to look for something online...please shoot me.

I tinkered w/a client's iPad and I liked it, the size of the screen makes touch typing easier for me. Now that the BB is coming out w/a tablet and it's sync-ability w/my BB as well as peripheral connections, I'll be leaning towards BB tablet. Although I'll most likely get the Torch first before an iPad/BB Playbook

stankybcn1 · 09-30-2010, 12:03 AM

I have a blackberry for work and hate it. I have an iPad at home and love it. But the places where the iPad lack seem to be stepped up here. Such as 1080 video and hopefully overall speed boost due to RAM and processor. So, who knows.

kutulu · 09-30-2010, 08:13 AM

Those a nice specs on that device. I wonder how the cost will compare. They left out one crucial comparision though: storage. I think it is really annoying that the ipad limits you 16, 32 or 64 GB with no external card slots.

Baraka_Guru · 09-30-2010, 08:23 AM

Here is a more comprehensive comparison regarding the "tablet wars":
Tablet Wars: How the BlackBerry PlayBook Measures Up | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

ASU2003 · 10-02-2010, 12:33 AM

This looks like another case of 'look what Apple did, let's copy them'.

(I don't agree with the current patent system to make a monopoly for Apple for years, but there should be a set licensing fee (10% for 3 years) that these companies should have to pay if they did not do any R&D prior to Apple or any other company patenting a tech product.)

Baraka_Guru · 10-02-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU2003

This looks like another case of 'look what Apple did, let's copy them'.

It's interesting you should say that. If you look at the spec comparison, it's more like, "Ha! Look what Apple didn't do. Let's do that."

It's not like Apple invented the tablet computer or anything.

I know people who are jonesing over this just because of the Flash support. The lack of it was a deal-breaker on the iPad.

Also realize the OS will be catered toward the business/corporate set (i.e. security for enterprise, etc.). They want this to be an extension of that market. The one that RIM has dominated historically.

Redlemon · 10-03-2010, 06:41 AM

I thought this was a particularly interesting analysis:

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.singularityhacker.com/2010/09/blackberry-playbook-doesnt-exist.html

I am truly shocked that so many people are being duped by BlackBerry's recent announcement of their tablet, the PlayBook. I have read endless comments from people who are saying they can't wait to get this tablet computer. Well, I think I have some bad news for you folks.

There is no evidence that the PlayBook exist as advertised.

Why do I say this? I will make it brief.

1) There is not a single frame in the BlackBerry PlayBook commercial that shows the actual device! The only thing being seen in the commercial is CG special effects. Don't believe me? Watch the ad again. Sure, those special effects are amazingly fast and responsive and cool but where is the device?

Remember the ads for the BlackBerry Torch? They were entirely done with special effects too. The Torch seemed so fast and cool in those ads. The only problem is the actual real phone didn't operate nearly as good as it did in the CG ads. The BlackBerry Torch ads are awesome but the phone is crap. Take note.

2) The PlayBook was never demoed at the Live Announcement. The dude is supposedly holding the device in his hands and he doesn't touch the screen once. Let me repeat that. He never touches the device once! The screen never changes and it never gets dark. I cant help but wonder if he's just holding a dummy (plastic) device.

Compare this to Apples iPad announcement. There was a frigin camera over Steve Jobs shoulder while he operates the actual device. If this PlayBook is so cool, why not actually show it off?

3) No one in the public has even been able to touch the PlayBook. Once again, compare this to the iPad announcement. Every one who attended the iPad announcment was actually able to handle and touch the device. They had tons of them on tables for every one to test out. What did the attendees of the PlayBook announcement get? A device encased in glass playing videos. The new OS isnt shown once, just a repeating video ad. Why not let everybody test out that amazing screen and new os? Judging by the video, that glass encased PlayBook with the wire attached could just be a dumb lcd screen. Is there a single shred of evidence to say otherwise?

4) Just look at BlackBerry's last venture in touch screen gadgets, the Storm and Torch. Need I say more. Given the above considerations, whats more likely? That a company went from the Storm and Torch phones to the PlayBook in this short period of time as or that things are not as BlackBerry is making them to appear?

I will admit, I could be wrong. I would be happy to be proved wrong, I just don't think that that's going to happen.

Follow the link to get the embedded video.

kutulu · 10-04-2010, 09:48 AM

No offense, but that guys blog post reeks of butthurt. He sounds like some Apple fanboy who is sad that someone else is getting attention. The shots of the device could very well be CG but to say that the device just doesn't exist is retarded.

Baraka_Guru · 10-04-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutulu

No offense, but that guys blog post reeks of butthurt. He sounds like some Apple fanboy who is sad that someone else is getting attention. The shots of the device could very well be CG but to say that the device just doesn't exist is retarded.

Yeah, it's a bit far-fetched.

The thing to realize about RIM is that they're playing catch-up. They're watching as their global dominance wanes, and they're reacting to it. This includes officially announcing a product that might still be in a prototype stage. The thing doesn't even come out until next year.

But you don't announce specs without hitting all or at least most of them on target by the time you launch. You don't make a habit of announcing a product in a new category and not release it. Pulling/cancelling products is painful.

Big deal if the ad uses CG. Welcome to advertising; everyone uses it.

The point is, RIM is planning to release a tablet computer. Performance-wise, it's going to be more powerful than the iPad. You don't load up with a dual-core and tons more RAM and not get better performance. It will be interesting to see the next generation of iPads in response to this.

09-27-2010, 06:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	The flexible connectivity (usb, HDMI) is what's most attractive to me. We have a wifi-only iPad and it's great but if the price is right, I'll seriously consider this in the future. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

09-28-2010, 04:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	Not sure that I hate BB products. I have been slaved to a device for a couple of years now and seriously don't see how I could get through the business day with an iPhone instead. I have never liked the limited display that BB provides, although the new attempt at a full screen (the Torch) looks promising. I look forward to this new tablet, and would like to see what kind of apps get generated for it. The flexibility of connections (usb ports) is great and I would love to get one of these without a data plan so that I can just use the WiFi connectivity. Yes, looking forward to this - curious about the display technologies tho. Is the Playbook's LCD comparable to the iPad's LED screen? __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I Last edited by Leto; 09-29-2010 at 03:57 AM..

09-28-2010, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
actinic Crazy Location: Toronto, ON	For what I do with my work, the BB (8900) suited my needs over the iPhone. Yeah, I txt and e-mail alot and I prefer feel of a physical keyboard over a touch typing. The only thing that I gripe about he BB is web browsing. I can deal w/a smaller display but when I have to look for something online...please shoot me. I tinkered w/a client's iPad and I liked it, the size of the screen makes touch typing easier for me. Now that the BB is coming out w/a tablet and it's sync-ability w/my BB as well as peripheral connections, I'll be leaning towards BB tablet. Although I'll most likely get the Torch first before an iPad/BB Playbook __________________ Drugs lead nowhere...but it's the scenic route

09-30-2010, 12:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
stankybcn1 Junkie	I have a blackberry for work and hate it. I have an iPad at home and love it. But the places where the iPad lack seem to be stepped up here. Such as 1080 video and hopefully overall speed boost due to RAM and processor. So, who knows. __________________ I'll Throw You!

09-30-2010, 08:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Here is a more comprehensive comparison regarding the "tablet wars": Tablet Wars: How the BlackBerry PlayBook Measures Up \| Gadget Lab \| Wired.com __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

09-27-2010, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Geez! I am so thoroughly disappointed that someone else beside blackberry hasn't taken a stab at this. I sincerely hate blackberry products and very much doubt I will be indulging. Is it that production and launch of such a product are so costly that before they break even or make a profit off this is too much of a risk to consider? My initial prediction of Apple tanking on the launch of the iPad was proved erroneous to begin with. Is it that no one else wants the hassle of competing with Apple's clout?

09-30-2010, 08:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	Those a nice specs on that device. I wonder how the cost will compare. They left out one crucial comparision though: storage. I think it is really annoying that the ipad limits you 16, 32 or 64 GB with no external card slots.

10-02-2010, 12:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	This looks like another case of 'look what Apple did, let's copy them'. (I don't agree with the current patent system to make a monopoly for Apple for years, but there should be a set licensing fee (10% for 3 years) that these companies should have to pay if they did not do any R&D prior to Apple or any other company patenting a tech product.)

10-04-2010, 09:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	No offense, but that guys blog post reeks of butthurt. He sounds like some Apple fanboy who is sad that someone else is getting attention. The shots of the device could very well be CG but to say that the device just doesn't exist is retarded.