Jul

Playbook OS 2.1 to Be Released Soon and Provides Many Android Enhancements

Canadian based RIM is prepared to usher in a new update for the Blackberry Playbook in the next few weeks. The new version 2.1 will provide a number of enhancements that are exclusively focused on providing a better, Android emulated experience.

One of the greatest new features to be found in this update is the way Android Apps are handled. The new fix will change the way Android apps are displayed within a single application space. When 2.1 is released, they’ll appear individually in the task switcher just like native PlayBook apps always have. Another one of the most exciting fixes is that Android apps will also finally have access to the PlayBook’s cameras and microphone. This will allow for more flexibility in apps that involve actions such as video calling.

The Blackberry Bridge app will undergo a little bit of a revision. With 2.1, it will allow you to receive text messages on your Playbook via your smartphone.

Finally, many other apps, such as your calender and contact list, will be able to flip orientation and not lock you into landscape mode by default.

RIM is working out the final kinks in on the new Playbook LTE model that should be released soon. They have developed a solution for their video chatting feature relying only on WIFI, like most video chat apps. With this model, you will have the option to chat over 4G and LTE connections.

I am personally very excited about this new firmware update for the Playbook. One of the biggest shortcomings with our Good e-Reader Playbook App Store is the severely limited number of apps that take advantage of your microphone and camera. When this new firmware update drops, we will be fervently testing Skype and many other video calling apps that are not available in native Playbook form.

Michael Kozlowski (3016 Posts)

Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about electronic readers and technology for the last four years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the Huffington Post, CNET and more. Michael frequently travels to international events such as IFA, Computex, CES, Book Expo and a myriad of others. If you have any questions about any of his articles, please send Michael Kozlowski an email to michael@goodereader.com

Categories : Spotlight on Android, Tablet PC News, Technology

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=729115828 Katherine Dunn
If the update is good enough I may keep my PlayBook and not buy an iPad. I’d really like to connect my icloud contacts and calendar, but most of all I’d like it to run better on fluctuating wifi like in a hotel.
Lfode45
This is great news. I have 2 iPads but consistentlym use my Playbook for reading. Playbook’s size makes it so much more portable for the day to day of life. I’ve found Play ook very stable, rarely loses connection. I am so glad RIM is staying in the game.
Sfgla
Keep us posted on Skype. Does the FCC allow phone calling on tablets, or will it just be texting, I wonder?
http://skyblueoceanmedia.com/ Dubai Web Designing
Skype DOES WORK … You need to sign up for Blackberry Playbook dev account by adding you PB pin to the site, then when you update your PB it will ask if you want to install the PB Beta version .. then once installed just install the Skype .BAR file (easy to find on google) then it works like magic
Check out site under BLOG for more info http://www.skyblueoceanmedia.com
http://twitter.com/BackDaws Andy
Rim need to drop the playbook and give us the option to unlock the bootloader so we can get ics or jellybean on it, the playbook hardware is nice but omg the software is abysmal. If this is all rim can pull out of the bag for playbook then im afraid the the bb10 phone is doomed.
Markanderson54267
I think you need to spend more time with a cheap android tablet, sub $300. You will be quickly dreaming of the powerful pb browser, bridge connection, email integration, impressive speed and graphics, stability, and overall higher quality. I’ll take my $200 PB over the current Androids in a heartbeat.
Anjoqunix
I could not agree more. Owned a Samsung Tab 2 7.0 for a day and planned to replace my PB running 2.0. The hardware was good overall and Android ICS was slick looking. BUT, the QNX OS is enterprise grade and the security is much superior. The common gripe is app availability. If there was a much more simplified way of converting Android apps to .BAR files, this tablet would not be receiving the bad press it gets.
I promptly returned my Samsung Tab and now appreciate my PlayBook even more.
stcrowe
This is welcome news. I was excited by the prospect of Android apps moving over to the Playbook. So far, I’ve been somewhat disappointed. The quality of a lot of the apps is dismal. The ones that are good sometimes get frozen in the thingy that handles Android apps.
I really love the Playbook itself. It is just the apps that have disappointed me. Prior to getting the Playbook, I bought a cheap Android tablet. All it is good for is playing music and movies and reading ebooks. It is weak and glitchy. The Playbook is great by comparison, but there is work still to be done.
Markanderson54267
Has a release date for the official os 2.1 been set?
http://twitter.com/tvman12 Oldschool
My playbook os upgraded about anhour ago
http://twitter.com/tvman12 Oldschool
Me too, I bought a kindle fire, after about 3 hours of frustration I figured I had two choices #1: bounce it off the wall, #2: take it back and get a refund. I chose #2. I went the next day and bought a playbook and I love it, so easy to use,. The blackberry bridge is great. The new os upgraded tonight. I wish I didn’t have to get up at 4am and go to work.
Hannahcheri3xx
Thank you … At last skype for my playbook xx

Playbook OS 2.1 to Be Released Soon and Provides Many Android Enhancements

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