PlayBook 2.0 release delayed

BlackBerry PlayBook users will have to wait until at least February next year to be able to download the PlayBook OS 2.0.

Despite previous statements that the update would be made available this month, senior VP for the BlackBerry PlayBook at RIM David Smith posted an update to the Inside BlackBerry blog on Tuesday, saying the company has decided to delay the launch.

“As much as we'd love to have it in your hands today, we've made the difficult decision to wait to launch BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 until we are confident we have fully met the expectations of our developers, enterprise customers and end-users,” said Smith.

In order to accomplish this, RIM has decided not to include a native BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) application in the PlayBook OS 2.0, he noted. As a result, PlayBook users will have to continue using BlackBerry Bridge to use BBM on the device.

According to Smith, a native BBM application will be included in a later PlayBook OS release.

RIM has reportedly been struggling to overcome the challenges in moving its core system apps to the PlayBook's QNX-based OS.

The PlayBook OS 2.0 will, however, address some of the problems of its predecessor, offering integrated e-mail, calendar and contact apps, a new video store, and according to Smith, new functionality for better communication between the BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook.

The PlayBook 2.0 update is also expected to bring Android app compatibility to the device.

“Shortly we will also be starting a series of closed betas of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 with select enterprise customers from our Early Adopter Program (EAP),” said Smith.

“Feedback and improvements from these betas will benefit the overall BlackBerry PlayBook customer experience.”

“We expect that the developer beta will generate thousands of new applications for BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0,” said Smith.

In September, RIM largely attributed its disappointing financial results to poor PlayBook sales.

RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said at the time that sales of the tablet were “well below expectations”. A disappointing 200 000 BlackBerry PlayBook units were shipped in the second quarter, while half a million PlayBooks were reportedly shipped in the first quarter.

Apple reportedly shipped more than 300 000 iPads on the very first day of sales in April 2010. An estimated 30 million iPads have been sold since launch.

The PlayBook was heavily criticised on its launch. in April, due to its lack of native e-mail, shortage of apps and heavy reliance on a connection with a BlackBerry smartphone.

RIM is struggling to maintain market share in the highly competitive smartphone and tablet spaces as it tries to keep up with Apple and Android.

The BlackBerry smartphones remain popular in emerging markets, however, largely due to the appeal of BBM and the BlackBerry Internet Solution.

Last week, RIM unveiled the long-awaited BBX platform for its future devices. According to RIM, BBX is a hybrid that combines the best of the BlackBerry and QNX platforms.

RIM is yet to make any formal announcement about when it may bring the first BBX devices to market.