PlayBook Hands On @ Amp It Up Training in Los Angeles

I got a personal one on one with the PlayBook back on April 7th at the Amp It Up Training Session in LA and I wanted to share this with the BBE community first hand!

Continue reading to watch the video and view my thoughts


For Mobile Viewing

The PlayBook I was using had been running OS 1.0.1.1500 (a pre-release version)

  • No sign of video chat or Skype preloaded – Reps said that RIM wasn’t quite sure how they wanted Video Chat hosted – but did mention it will definitely be included in the BBM on the PB
  • PIN’s are going to be phased out within the next year or so and replaced with BBID – this is to push cross platform apps, messaging, and ease of use – I mean come on PIN’s aren’t that hard to give out, but a BBID would be so much easier!)
  • Presentation mode was demoed.

 


For Mobile Viewing

It works by splitting the media output stream into two outputs that are independent of each other; meaning you can watch a video or load a presentation on your HDMI OUT and still browse/play/chat/message on the PB screen. Orientation, volume, brightness, etc are all independent features controlled by a Presentation Mode switch function that allows you to swap screen, toggle screens, and control the options on each screen

  • PB package was confirmed (4/7/11) – you get a NEOPRENE case, screen wipe, HDMI cable, Charger, and of course a PlayBook!
  • Battery Life still unconfirmed but it was reiterated that we have a 5300mAh battery which I approximate will last anywhere from 12-14 hours while in use and 24-36 hrs on standby – but again it depends on use. When the tech guy was asked how his battery life was – without saying too much – he commented “I never feel pinched” indicating it lasted well on a full charge.

He also said (as did everyone there) that the OS constantly updates battery performance – something to look forward to

  • OS Updates are going to use a push-type system to be installed almost instantly on your device (as we already knew)
  • No lock screen demoed
  • Corner Swipe Function:

Bottom left is keyboard show/hide

Top Right is Options menu

Top Left is Notifications – Notification wasn’t on the models with Bridge yet since they were running 1.0.1.1320 vs the other models running 1.0.1.1500 due to the fact that Bridge wasn’t yet supported by the newer OS (according to them)

  • Doc2Go will be Premium for Free!
  • Screen durability – I did take a key to the screen when no one was looking (which was almost never) and i really leaned into this thing…didn’t scratch or dent and the screen didn’t give at all (which is why I really think this is Gorilla Glass!
  • Orientation Lock Feature was present on this build
  • .MKV  Videos will be supported via native OS soon after launch, but not initially at launch – it wasn’t clear if it was native (I assumed that part) but the mention of an app built to play MKVs was circulating
  • Black will be the only available color. They’re really pushing accessories i.e. skins and cases to change colors and appearance of your PB
  • Flash games on the web were not supported with keyboard controls. This wasn’t programmed into the OS but may be in the future. As of now I even asked if it works with a BT KB and the reply was “I am not sure
  • Gold Master will launch closer to April 18th 2011
  • No FCC Stamps or markings – these were strictly demo units
  • Power button will be fully programmable with options on what it does, kinda like your computer i.e. Sleep, Hibernate, Shut Down, Lock
  • BlackBerry Bridge has not been finalized but I have verified that carrier data will not be transferred during bridging. No Texts or call logs folks. This was due to controlling security on the devices, since RIM is transferring over only their data from their end of the game, it’s easier to control.

The demo was very nice in the sense that all your data is protected by a Bluetooth 2.1 +EDA (NSA’s 1st Certified 100% Secure BlueTooth connection for any device – industry 1st) So when you disconnect, all the info is gone and someone else can bridge their device, write/receive emails, chats, calendar updates etc and it won’t affect anything on your end because it is all stored on your phone.

The UI for the Bridge stuff was very polished, all updated, refined graphics and functions with even more options for stuff like adding events and such…