PlayBook, PlayBook, PlayBook, that’s what. Well, at least there was lots of hands on, lots of refined details. We already had some basics about the PlayBook covered, but with all the hands on reports that surfaced, and chats with the RIM staff we know…
First let’s run through some PlayBook specific stuff:
- The PlayBook specifically uses the 1GHz OMAP 4430 dual-core chip from Texas Instruments. (Source:Engadget)
- The PlayBook has two charging ports, a micro usb and magnetic port. (Source: BerryReview)
- The PlayBook will have native calendar/E-mail (contrary to popular belief). (Source: Inside BlackBerry)
- The PlayBook will release as WiFi only in Q1 of 2011. RIM’s fourth quarter ends Feb 26th. (Source: WSJ Online)
- The PlayBook will release on Sprint 4G in the summer of 2011. (Source: Sprint)
- The PlayBook will have impressive games available to it with 3D gaming support. (Source: CrackBerry: Ryan Bidan Walk Through)
See my speculation on a very popular, very requested game at the bottom! - The PlayBook will be available locally from retail outlets. (Source: CrackBerry: Ryan Bidan Walk Through)
- The PlayBook will not be delayed because of battery life, and battery life will average 8hours. (Source: CrackBerry: Hands on with Ryan Bidan)
- Super Phones with dual-core processors and QNX are on the checklist at RIM. (Source: PCMag)
- RIM has a 10 year plan for BlackBerry (Source: PCMag)
Now, I’m sure I’ve missed some stuff. I can’t find it now, but I swear I heard something hinted at multiple sizes for the PlayBook (not by CrackBerry Kevin, by someone official) though I can’t find it now. If I’ve missed something that deserves to be on this list, do post it in the comments!
The next dates to watch will be the DevCon Asia, which takes place this Thursday/Friday.
Also, the speculation. Well, I was watching the feeds for #RIM and #PlayBook on Twitter pretty heavily during CES. I replied to a lot of people, tried to help clear up some of the misconceptions and confusion that were going on. However, read below for a rundown of a conversation I had with another Tweeter.
http://twitpic.com/3nvm93 – #BlackBerry #Playbook impressive! Beautiful screen/UI, multi-tasking rocks. Now need the apps! #CES
I replied back:
@robgoehring No kidding! Here’s hoping @roviomobile submitted #AngryBirds to the #PlayBook app world!!
Rob replied back:
@jpinkerton LOL! Gotta have those Angry Birds! #BlackBerry hasn’t made it easy to develop historically, hope #QNX works for them.
My final response:
@robgoehring Yeah, I understand @roviomobile not developing for BlackBerry prior, but like you said..maybe with QNX? 🙂
Then the “crème de la crème“. A tweet from @roviomobile:
@jpinkerton @robgoehring Maybe.
While “maybe” is far from Yes, it is also just as far from No. In the same breath it wasn’t a “No”, and it wasn’t a response such as this one. Also, did you notice how Ryan Bidan talked about gaming on the PlayBook? Angry Birds is a popular game, like it or hate it – it sells very well.
I’ll tell you this much, with all the hardware and the ease of programming for the PlayBook, I’d be surprised if Angry Birds wasn’t available on the App World at launch. Especially with some of the changes announced in App World 2.1 (such as the ability to “easily purchase additional levels from within the game”).