Tag: PlayBook

RIM Pulls an HP, All Playbooks on Sale

Jan. 04 BlackBerry, Tablets Comments Off

In one of the oddest sale pricing strategies I’ve ever seen, RIM has slashed the prices on all models of the Blackberry Playbook to $299. That’s right, the 16gb is the same price as the 32GB model is the same price as the 64GB model. With a savings of $400 on the 64GB model, this may be the time to buy if you were actually interested in the Playbook. If you are just looking for an inexpensive 7″ tablet, you might be better off checking out the Kindle Fire or Nook Color, priced at $199 each all the time.

The RIM online store seems to be slammed, so it’s pretty hit or miss if you can snatch one up right now before all the 64GB models are gone.

via [Gizmodo]

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DingleBerry Provides Tool For Rooting BlackBerry PlayBook

Dec. 05 BlackBerry, Tablets Comments Off

If you want to have some fun with your cheaply obtained BlackBerry PlayBook, now is the time. DingleBerry has been released providing PlayBook users with a tool to root (jailbreak) their tablet. Only a Windows version is available right now, but a MAC download is on its way.

Having root access to a device allows for endless potential. Such as installing other operating systems, running unapproved apps, changing setting to allow Hulu access, etc. This is not for the casual user and as much as we are promoting fun with the tool, for most, it is better to leave DingleBerry alone.

This tool is a huge headache for RIM. It is hard to tout how secure your devices is when someone can get root access. I am sure RIM has a team working feverishly to find a patch for this exploit. We are starting to wonder if RIM is going to have to spend some more R&D times with BBX before it is released to make sure this never happens to a smartphone.

If you still have that urge to play hacker, you can start by following this link to download DingleBerry.

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RIM Addresses BlackBerry PlayBook Jailbreak

Nov. 30 BlackBerry Comments Off

I’m not sure why RIM felt it was necessary to issue a statement on the DingleBerry root / jailbreak that is pending release for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Usually device and OS (Operating System) developers remain silent and just fix the security vulnerability. Following is their official statement.

Research In Motion (RIM) is aware of a claim made on Twitter by security researchers working together that suggests the ability to “jailbreak” a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. The term “jailbreaking” is commonly used to describe altering the software on a smartphone or tablet in order to obtain access to systems or applications not officially authorized or distributed by the manufacturer. BlackBerry smartphone users are not affected. RIM is currently investigating this claim and has been in contact with one of the security researchers to discuss it.

RIM is currently not aware of a jailbreak being leveraged by anyone other than the researchers, who claim to have performed a jailbreak on their own BlackBerry PlayBook tablets only. If it is determined that the claim is accurate, RIM will follow its standard response process to develop and release a software update that is designed to minimize adverse impact to our customers or carrier partners. RIM is aware that the security researchers have stated they intend to release a tool to jailbreak the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. If such a tool is released, RIM will investigate it.

The security of mobile devices and major networked systems is tested by third-party security researchers every day. RIM also continually tests the security of its own products, and volunteers its products to recognized industry experts for security testing and certification to help identify possible issues. RIM is committed to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and to working with researchers to continue to protect our customers.

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Best Buy Cancels BlackBerry PlayBook Orders

Nov. 28 BlackBerry, Tablets 1 comment

Best Buy wasn’t fully ready for Black Friday as the company had to cancel orders for the BlackBerry PlayBook; some sources say all orders were cancelled while others said it was sporadic.

It appears now the reason for the cancelled orders was Best Buy online continued to sell the PlayBook even though they ran out of units.

Cyber Monday is here and Best Buy is completely out of the BlackBerry PlayBook, if you were hoping to get your hands on the discounted tablet you can still purchase the tablet from RIM. Just follow this link and get yourself the BlackBerry PlayBook you wanted.

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Adobe To No Longer Developing Flash Player For Mobile Devices

Nov. 09 Applications, Featured Comments Off

Adobe’s Danny Winokur, Vice President & General Manager wrote a blog post informing us that the company will no longer develop Flash Player for upcoming mobile devices. Luckily for Android and the BlackBerry PlayBook users, they will still be able to get their hands on Flash Player 11.1, but the downfall is that there will be no further versions.

Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores.  We will no longer continue to develop Flash Player in the browser to work with new mobile device configurations (chipset, browser, OS version, etc.) following the upcoming release of Flash Player 11.1 for Android and BlackBerry PlayBook.  We will of course continue to provide critical bug fixes and security updates for existing device configurations.  We will also allow our source code licensees to continue working on and release their own implementations.

Steve Jobs last year in April wrote up a “Thoughts on Flash” giving us 6 reasons why Flash Player won’t hold up when it comes to the smartphone world. Here is his conclusion on Thoughts on Flash:

Flash was created during the PC era – for PCs and mice. Flash is a successful business for Adobe, and we can understand why they want to push it beyond PCs. But the mobile era is about low power devices, touch interfaces and open web standards – all areas where Flash falls short.

The avalanche of media outlets offering their content for Apple’s mobile devices demonstrates that Flash is no longer necessary to watch video or consume any kind of web content. And the 250,000 apps on Apple’s App Store proves that Flash isn’t necessary for tens of thousands of developers to create graphically rich applications, including games.

New open standards created in the mobile era, such as HTML5, will win on mobile devices (and PCs too). Perhaps Adobe should focus more on creating great HTML5 tools for the future, and less on criticizing Apple for leaving the past behind.

You can follow this link for the blog post from Adobe or read Steve Jobs Thoughts on Flash.

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BlackBerry PlayBook Buy 2, Get 1 Free

Oct. 28 BlackBerry, Featured, Tablets Comments Off

RIM is offering their BlackBerry PlayBook in a buy 2, get 1 free promotion that will be running through December 31st. In addition to purchasing the BlackBerry PlayBook consumers will be able to receive a free accessory for each device.

Accessories to choose from include:

  • BlackBerry Leather Sleeve (Black)
  • BlackBerry Charging Pod
  • High-Speed HDMI Cable 6ft.

In order to take RIM up on their promotion you will have to purchase through one the venders listed below. Is this deal, which amounts to 33% off enough to get you to buy a PlayBook? Let us know in comments.

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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 Delayed At Least 4 Months

Oct. 25 Android, Applications, BlackBerry Comments Off

BlackBerry PlayBook maker RIM has once again dropped more bad news about their Tablet. Many owners had high hopes after the just wrapped up developers conference that the PlayBook OS 2.0 would be launching soon with features like a native mail client.

David J. Smith, SVP, has posted to the official BlackBerry Blog that things are once again delayed and it will be February of 2012 before you get an update. On top of that a native BlackBerry Messenger will not be included.

This is a tragic setback once again for a device we had high hopes for when we played with it at CES. February 2012 is offering to little too late. A lack of features and numerous delays have pushed the BlackBerry faithful away from the PlayBook. Come February, RIM will be up against the iPad 3, Motorola Xoom 2, and an entire lineup of Samsung tablets that run all Android applications not just a select set.

Below are excerpts from the official post by David Smith: Read more

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BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 Developer Beta Demo Video

Oct. 24 Beta, BlackBerry, Video Comments Off

The BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 developer beta has been released and MacBerry.de a German website has provided us with a demo of the 7inch tablet running Android apps. The video is a muted demo, but you’re able to get a clear look at how smooth the Android apps run on the BlackBerry tablet. 

 

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BlackBerry PlayBook To Have Limited Android App Access

Sep. 28 Android, Applications, BlackBerry, Featured, Tablets 1 comment

We all have that friend who seems to always make bad decisions and while you are not let down anymore because you expect it, you’re still a little heartbroken. Many people have that same feeling with companies. In our case, it’s BlackBerry maker RIM.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is for all intents and purposes a failure. Don’t get me wrong, most of you know I was a huge BlackBerry supporter, so don’t think I am just a hater. BlackBerry diehard supporters seem to have blinders on when it comes to the BlackBerry brand these days and while I am critical I want nothing more than RIM to succeed.

Let’s be honest, the hardware and OS is very dated and RIM needs an immediate breath of fresh air and innovation. I am not going to beat a dead horse; we hear many negative stories every week when it comes to the BlackBerry line-up and Research In Motion.

RIM has put the hopes of saving the BlackBerry name and the company itself in the hands of their QNX OS. When RIM announced the PlayBook a year ago we all got excited and QNX looked promising. A year later we’re still holding on to hope for the Android player that would let Android apps run on the PlayBook and eventually BlackBerry smartphones. Read more

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BlackBerry PlayBook Discounted To $249

Sep. 26 BlackBerry, Tablets Comments Off

If all goes as planned there is going to be a great sale on the BlackBerry PlayBook at least at Staples. CrackBerry got their hand on information that the PlayBook is going to be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in-rebate.

This is really a double edged sword. RIM is sitting on a lot of these devices and needs to move them but it also upsets loyal BlackBerry brand users who spent over $550 to originally get this device.

We do hope RIM is able to get the PlayBook into more hands, We wish they would do this sale when version 2 of the OS is released and supports a native email and contact client. We will let you know if any other retailers jump on board this promo.

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BlackBerry PlayBook To FINALLY Get Update

Sep. 15 Android, BlackBerry, Featured Comments Off

Additional information out of today’s earning call from RIM included information on the PlayBook. RIM will be releasing a software update, version 2.0 to fix many of the bugs in the current QNX OS and also bring tablet basics like an email client.

The update will also include the much anticipated Android player so that you can run Android apps on your PlayBook. I’m not to sure if the player will add any desire to the PlayBook. If I want to run Android apps I will buy an Android tablet. I don’t know many people who go purchase a MacBook to run Windows.

It was also divulged that RIM has only shipped 200,000 PlayBooks. Keyword there is shipped, this is not how many have been purchased. That number is still as elusive.

Look for a lot more on QNX next month as RIM holds their BlackBerry Developers Conference. The PlayBook update will be available sometime in October.

[via]

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$100 Rebate For Select BlackBerry PlayBook Buyers

Sep. 07 BlackBerry, Featured, Tablets 1 comment

RIM is a running a special promotion “Exclusive BlackBerry PlayBook Back-at-school Offer” which is a special offer for BlackBerry customers only. If you’re a BlackBerry user and purchase a new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet between September 7th and September 22nd you will receive a $100 prepaid MasterCard card.

In order to qualify for the $100 gift card there are some requirements you need to meet and the offer is limited to one claim per BlackBerry PlayBook purchased and a maximum of three offer claims per household. Read more

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