The BlackBerry PlayBook – 
what I believe to be the best tablet on the market today. Before you scoff at it and say this isn’t true, read on.
After being released in April 2011, the PlayBook had hardware specs that rivaled some of the higher end devices, however it definitely did not appear to be “future-proof”, meaning its processor speeds, memory, apps, and features had the potential to be out-of-date before it even went on sale. A year later, RIM has not released a hardware update (though one is likely coming soon with 4G capabilities) because the specs on the original model are still good enough to power the incredible QNX workforce OS. If you don’t know who or what QNX is, do a quick Google search, they do too much to list here and are more concentrated in our daily lives that anyone cares to investigate or believe.
Competitors have released new products, but RIM has held the fort with their tablet offering because they CAN. The OS that powers the PlayBook doesn’t need the latest and greatest and speediest processors, it uses the power of QNX to remain efficient even when the user’s multi-tasking demands increase. When competitors come out with new products, it’s because they HAVE to — their OS’ cannot power the new apps and demands that users are throwing at them. This leads to bigger, heavier, hotter batteries (if not, then decreased battery life), less stable OS’, and numerous features that basically go unnoticed by the average user.
The PlayBook is not an “app-runner” like other tablets on the market; that is, it does not simply rely on apps to be the main support of its native software. The iPad, in my opinion, is simply an “app-runner”. It relies on apps and fortunately for it, developers believe in it enough to continue to create apps for the platform. It’s the highest seller, the market leader – so this is understandable. The PlayBook, though, is not just an “app-runner”, it has an OS and native capabilities that help to increase personal efficiency and productivity. The PlayBook is not the PLAYbook, it is a playbook – a manual for success in our day-to-day lives.
What does the iPad do without apps other than being a screen with squares on it?
The PlayBook is meant to be a complementary device to your current smartphone, and it is definitely better suited to be paired with a BlackBerry smartphone. Here in lies the root of RIM’s current struggles – marketing. This has been talked about for years as something RIM has not done well and the PlayBook is a prime example. The PlayBook should not be marketed as RIM’s iPad; it should be marketed as a complementary device to your smartphone that provides greater capabilities, performance and features than exist in smaller handsets.
The PlayBook, in my opinion, is not an iPad competitor. The PlayBook is in its own class – it is the first device that truly complements the cell phone we’ve all been carrying around for so long. All small screens of cell phones have their limitations, be it with streaming media, viewing large files and documents, reading for an extended period of time… the list goes on and on. The PlayBook is the first device that Bridges the gap, yet still makes your phone feel necessary and useful.
Bridge – the one thing that RIM does that no one else can match and that RIM needs to market correctly. If you have a BlackBerry smartphone and a PlayBook, you’re in 7th heaven as far as connectivity and possibilities go. Bridge allows your PlayBook to always be connected to the web, without the user having to do a thing. Some may say tethering does this as well, however, some carriers charge more for tethering, plus the user needs to pull out their phone to turn it on each time. Bridge is always connected (if you choose). One thing RIM does well is BBM. The best part of BBM is that it is always running. There is never a need to open an app, never a chance to miss a message. The same holds true with Bridge. It is always connected and works to complement your BB smartphone. I won’t list the features of Bridge here, but they are potentially endless.
Think of automobiles. QNX powers a ton of in-car computer systems. RIM owns QNX. The PlayBook runs a QNX-based OS. See where I’m going with this? Connectivity in your car would be easily accomplished by using a variation of Bridge. A car that is always connected is possible, just like a PlayBook that is always connected – – without paying a higher monthly contract price to carriers. Just turn on your car, and it automatically pairs with your smartphone (like some cars already do for Bluetooth phone calls, music, etc), except now it also pairs in the sense that it extends your data plan to features in your car’s electronics. From navigation to media to communications, your car could be connected at all times through your smartphone, without having to hit any additional buttons upon entering the vehicle.
BB10 is coming. It is going to provide an even better relationship between the PlayBook and your BB smartphone. Right now, they’re running two completely different OS’ and communicate beyond the capabilities of any other smartphones on the market. Imagine what will happen when they are running the same OS?
HeneyBlog 
Your Passion is Contagious! I love it!!
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I was so tired of hearing negative reviews and comments about RIM and their PlayBook, but this article is SO very refreshing! Thank you for thoughts!
I bought my PlayBook day of release and was immediately enchanted. Since the software upgrade I have never looked back. I use my PB daily and that is both at work and on my days off. Travelled with it to my parents’ home, which does not have wifi, and the Bridge software kept me connected the entire time. Your piece is so wonderful to read after all the negative jellies have thrown out there! Thank you.
What a refreshing article. I’m truly fed up with all the RIM and Playbook bashing and this puts things in the correct perspective. You’re right about the marketing though – in our firm only BB phones are supported but because of this lack of marketing all partners are now getting iPads not appreciating what the Playbook can offer them with a BB smartphone. Also in South Africa where I live and which has a huge BB market base one battles to find or see any Playbook marketing let alone find a retailer to buy one from!
What a refreshing article. I’m truly fed up with all the RIM and Playbook bashing and this puts things in the correct perspective. You’re right about the marketing though – in our firm only BB phones are supported but because of the lack of marketing all partners are now getting iPads not appreciating what the Playbook can offer them with a BB smartphone. Also in South Africa where I live and which has a huge BB market base one battles to find or see any Playbook marketing let alone find a retailer to buy one from!
I have been using playbook for almost 6 months now and really in awe with its browser speed and gui. It is a very understated tablet.
OMAP 4 processor used in playbook is futureproof and should easily be relevant for 2 to 3 years..
Have been using my playbook for reading pdf,word docs, web browsing and videos and mails extensively and have to say it has been a hasslefree experience.
Very convincing… but let’s face it… tablets are for APPS – that is the main idea of tablets… and that is why others are leading… If not, I don’t think they can compete with laptops… or even netbooks… that is actually what is happening to PlayBook… without APPS, other tablets will have the same fate as PlayBook… because they will simply competing with conventional personal computers… which has all the advantages starting with physical keyboard…
Don’t get me wrong… I’m a PlayBook user from the first day it was released… and I want RIM to improve… not to be contented… that should be the truth that RIM must be challenged with…
PB sure has great potential, I also owns a PB and can see how great it is if it has wider selection of apps
Since time can easily fix this problem, I choose Playbook
What you didn’t mention was The Kindle Fire which has a seductive array of apps,but feels sluggish and weak. Not unsurprisingly because it has half the RAM and internal storage. The Amazon app market gives you wings and the experience of using the Kindle Fire steals the sky. The iPad seems more suited to couch surfing , rather than something portable. You’re right about QNX which makes all the difference in the world. I have a PlayBook and it feels and handles like an industrial grade device. I have it in a leather folio . It looks like an unassuming notebook, that hides a small powerful computer. It has a certain James Bond quality.
“Bridge – the one thing that RIM does that no one else can match… the first device that truly complements the cell phone”. That’s what won me over with the PlayBook. Love it.
An anecdote: Recently in Best Buy. A couple of young people (likely teenagers) were in to buy iPads. Deciding between iPad2 or newest. One of them asked the clerk if the iPad could “tether”? This person was referring to the connectivity between tablet and smartphone. The clerk mentioned iCloud – missing the mark. I found the comment very interesting coming from a young person who might be an indication that the BB phone/Playbook connectivity is being noticed by their peers.
I agree entirely with your statements My 9810 bridged with my Playbook has revolutionised my ability to communicate on a daily basis
I agree with most parts of this article…except that you can’t say its NOT an ipad competitor. I say this simply because there is enough overlap with what an ipad can do and what a playbook can. I do agree that the playbook offers DIFFERENT services to the ipad, but that does not mean its not a direct competitor. In an ecosystem, everything affects everything, and this especially true for technology! If the ipad can affect the sale of netbooks, then why not the sales for playbook?
Playbook user since the start. I use the device to cover dozens of conference calls, so word and excel are paramount. The games from EA and Rovio are a bonus. Gee Reader, bluebox are top notch apps for using the device as a research companion.
Hats off for a well written article! Sadly the true potential of this device is harshly undermined in high tech parts of world like here in middle east. Reason for failure was no angry birds and similar games(huh!). Same holds for Nokia’s belle os inspite of all well done optimisations and ui overhaul. I believe Apple tech is more a habit than a need. Every tech device is seen in contrast to idevices if similar accepted if different than rejected considering it hard to learn.
Great article. Getting really sick of the negative bashing wrt RIM.
To one of the posters above, having a gazillion apps doesn’t make a great tablet. And IMHO having the best tablet(ie. The PB) for future potential on the market means it’s only a matter of time for the Apps to appear. And then the PB will have it ALL!
Thanks for the article. I “test drove” the playbook at Best Buy some months ago, but just couldn’t quite bring myself to pull the trigger despite being very impressed by the device’s speed and quality. I like the 7 inch formfactor quite a bit more than the 10 inch formfactor for portability reasons. With the 64gb version being $294 on Amazon, I think it’s time to pull the trigger.
Great article, all your comments just go to show up all the strengths of the PB, as you say, the PB is not an app player as such, and this point alone, highlights the weaknesses that app dependant devices have, having said that, it is more than capable of running any apps ive put on it.I cant think of any negatives, its a brilliant device, wonder how many of the knockers have actually tried the PB,not many I bet, long live the PB….
Reblogged this on I Can't Stop Raving and commented:
And this is why I want this over the ipad.
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I have a 32GB Playbook and I love it! Love the bridging aspect as well! Lots of apps now and more coming. No Icrap for me!