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Thread: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

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    Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    Hi there!

    I am planning to buy a tablet to use the internet, check apps for news/weather/shopping/restos, play the latest games, Youtube, make notes, watch my movies whilst on my holiday.

    I'm looking at the Playbook and with the new 2.0 OS is it worth it? I have some serious queries & concerns if the Playbook is worth the plunge and worth the money.

    1. Can it send any files via bluetooth to any bluetooth-enabled device?
    2. Does it wake-up/start-up really quick like the iPad or those new Android 4.0 tablets?
    3. Can it play on its own .avi & .mkv files without the use of an app?
    4. Can it auto-connect to a neafby wifi if available?
    5. Can i now access/download a handful of Android apps like what i have heard? If yes is this via the App World or as a different folder or "main" app?
    6. How many hours can it do if with just "minimal" use? (surfung the net, downloading an app whilst watching a movie or playing games)
    7. Can it do multitasking like the iPad or an Android 4.0 tablet?
    8. Can one easily access running apps and easily cancle/stop them?
    9. Is there a notification bar (like Android) to access common settings, etc.

    I believe these questions are really important in helping me decide what tab to choose.

    Shall i stick to the tried-and-tested Android 4/4.1 tablet like the Nexus 7 et al or can the Playbook do all those ones i mentioned above?

    Please advice.

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    Re: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    Gino in your situation and given the fact that you're probably used to Android and can find your way around it pretty quick I would get an Android based tablet.

    I'll answer some of your playbook queries from my personal experience shortly of using the device everyday.

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    Re: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    gino, all these questions have been answered in one of your other threads. Twice. The only way you're going to know whether the PB is right for you is to go to a shop and play with one.

    Basically, the answer to all your questions (for the second time), is yes. The playbook will do everything you want. But I don't think you're going to be satisfied until you've tried it.

    To be a little more specific on one key question: android apps are accessed from AppWorld like any other app - in fact the whole process is transparent to users - developers use a packaging tool supplied by RIM to repackage their Android apps, and then they're made available through AppWorld. You can't even (easily) tell which apps are Android repackages and which are native BB. What it's done is massively expand the app store over the last 6 months.

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    Re: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    What i don't understand is if say i want an app found on Android i went to the website (via browsing apps on the App World bit) and the app is not there. And from what i heard that repackaging apps can also be a bit tricky because of the issue of "Is it compatible or playable for the Playbook"?. If the app is not on the website then surely that would tell me it will not also be available on PB's App World itself.

    I just feel the Playbook is being sold at a very bargain price and now with Playbook OS 2.0 (or 2.0.1 now i think) and thought of if the Playbook can do most if not all the task i wanted (just like Android) then...is it worth the plunge?

    Scaryjim, are you certain the answers to all my above questions are all Yes? When i rung the UK Blackberry help line the rep didn't give me the confidence in buying one. Everytime i go to a PC World or Curry's or Carphone Warehouse its either they don't have a working Playbook on display or no Playbook at all. They would always 90% of the time say that they can't show the device to me for some reasons (i.e. policy, etc.) so i depend my questions (and judgement) on forums like these or Youtube videos.

    Alos, i would like to know wether i can upload any files to my PB via drag n' drop from my Mac with no restrictions or problems?
    Last edited by gino_76ph; 05-09-2012 at 10:30 PM.

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    Re: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    Dunno about from a Mac, because I don't have one! But if you're lucky there might be another hexite who has both a Mac and a PB. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have enabled something quite so basic. On Windows the device maps as a network drive (at least, that's how I've got it set up ). Also, there's wifi sharing (which someone mentioned in the other thread), although I haven't used that so can't comment on it...

    The Apps have to be repackaged by the app developer then submitted to the Blackberry AppWorld. As I think you've realised, if you go to Blackberry AppWorld online then filter to playbook, you can search for any apps that you think are essential. If they're not on AppWorld online, I don't think they'll be in AppWorld on the device - although if there's something specific you want me to check I'm more than happy to have a look for you (it'll only take a few seconds!).

    I use a playbook daily; it's my primary mobile device now. I don't really use bluetooth at all, but could pair up some devices and see what happens - I've got an Android smartphone hanging around. The notification bar isn't quite like Android, but it's there and gives quick access to the settings menu and app updates. But the key is that you don't need a notifications bar in quite the same way, because it does true multitasking and it's very easy to flip between running applications. Seriously, when I saw the PB and its little windows tiles in PC World I thought it was just a gimmick, but there's nothing quite like having 5 or 6 applications running on a tablet and being able to just flick between them with a swipe of your finger. As I say, it's something I think you can only really appreciate once you've used one. It's sad that you can't find anywhere with one to demo, although the demo stations do seem to be coming a rarity (pretty much everywhere had one this time last year). If you can find a CEX with one in they're generally OK with doing demos of stock...

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    Re: Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

    1. No (Bluetooth is pointless on this device for anyone other than a blackberry handset user)
    2. From cold boot no(can take up to 5 mins). From standby instant.
    3. Yes to avi. Yes/No to mkv (MKV are hit and miss)
    4. Yes (as long as you have saved details)
    5. This functionality will be coming to an end soon.
    6. If by minimal you mean a bit of web browsing (say an hour before bed) then you put it on standby (not turned off) with wireless off, you can expect days. At least 2-3 days is realistic.
    7. Yes, multitasking is one thing it is very good at with no hit on performance that I've noticed.
    8. Yes! very easy. (to see what is running or exit an app, you swipe up, then you hit 'x' on window(s) you want to close)
    9. Yes very easy.
    10. The speaker is very good for a tablet. I have a laptop, it is louder.

    I would only advise you to buy it if you know what you're getting and you know your usage scenario. Then it will exceed your expectation. For me, I looked at all the android tablets around £150 mark and none could touch it in terms of experience/usability/screen/sound/speed. It is only let down by app store. I just needed something to play avi/mp3 and browse the web which it can do without 3rd party app. The fact it can play flash video is a bonus. The Office suite is quite decent too for a bit of note taking.

    Quote Originally Posted by gino_76ph View Post
    Hi there!

    I am planning to buy a tablet to use the internet, check apps for news/weather/shopping/restos, play the latest games, Youtube, make notes, watch my movies whilst on my holiday.

    I'm looking at the Playbook and with the new 2.0 OS is it worth it? I have some serious queries & concerns if the Playbook is worth the plunge and worth the money.

    1. Can it send any files via bluetooth to any bluetooth-enabled device?
    2. Does it wake-up/start-up really quick like the iPad or those new Android 4.0 tablets?
    3. Can it play on its own .avi & .mkv files without the use of an app?
    4. Can it auto-connect to a neafby wifi if available?
    5. Can i now access/download a handful of Android apps like what i have heard? If yes is this via the App World or as a different folder or "main" app?
    6. How many hours can it do if with just "minimal" use? (surfung the net, downloading an app whilst watching a movie or playing games)
    7. Can it do multitasking like the iPad or an Android 4.0 tablet?
    8. Can one easily access running apps and easily cancle/stop them?
    9. Is there a notification bar (like Android) to access common settings, etc.

    I believe these questions are really important in helping me decide what tab to choose.

    Shall i stick to the tried-and-tested Android 4/4.1 tablet like the Nexus 7 et al or can the Playbook do all those ones i mentioned above?

    Please advice.

  9. Received thanks from:

    gino_76ph (08-09-2012)

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