BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) has announced updates to both its BlackBerry 7 and PlayBook operating systems.
Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, this week, the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, in particular, provides some long-awaited features for the seven-inch tablet.
The PlayBook was initially released in April last year and was met with fierce criticism for its lack of basic built-in features such as e-mail and BlackBerry Messenger, and its heavy reliance on tethering to a BlackBerry handset.
The PlayBook has battled in the competitive tablet market, and in December RIM announced it would take a $485 million charge against its PlayBook inventory, or $360 million after taxes.
The updated OS now brings a native e-mail client to the PlayBook, including a unified inbox, rich-text editing and tabbed navigation for having messages open simultaneously. The update, however, still doesn't bring a native BlackBerry Messenger service to the tablet.
Another feature included in the update is deeper social integration with the consolidation of contacts' details across various social networks and services.
Close ties
The update maintains the close ties between the tablet and BlackBerry phones by adding new functionality that allows users to use their phone's keyboard to type text as well as to act as a remote control for the PlayBook. According to RIM, this feature can be used to control the tablet while it is plugged into a TV, for example.
data. The Documents To Go suite has also been updated to include support for formulas and embedded charts.
The PlayBook will now also offer a Video Store with new releases for rent or purchase. This feature will be available in the US first, and RIM says availability in other countries will be added later.
President and co-CEO of RIM Mike Lazaridis says: “With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, we are building on this strong foundation [of the PlayBook], as well as leveraging our strengths in communications, social integration and productivity, to allow people to use their BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day.”
The OS update is expected to become available next month.
NFC sharing
As RIM's refreshed product line of QNX-based BlackBerry 10 devices is only expected in the second half of the year, the company is relying on its most recent BlackBerry 7 devices to hold the market's attention.
In line with this, RIM has also announced at CES the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS. The update now allows NFC-enabled BlackBerry handsets to share information by touching them together. This provides the same functionality of the new Android Beam feature introduced by the latest Android OS, Ice Cream Sandwich.
RIM says it has started rolling out the updated OS and that it will continue to do so across all carriers in the coming weeks.
Lazaridis says: “BlackBerry 7 delivered a next-generation platform for our customers around the world and the range of software updates announced today build upon the strengths of that platform to further enhance the mobile experience and make life easier, from managing daily tasks to planning big adventures.”
The update has also led to improvements in the BlackBerry Traffic, BlackBerry Travel and BBM applications, which are all already available for download.
According to RIM, BlackBerry 7.1 users will be able to use their handsets as mobile hotspots which can be shared by up to five devices.
“The 7.1 update also supports carrier implemented WiFi calling services (UMA/GAN where available), allowing users to make WiFi calls from their BlackBerry smartphone that don't eat into their airtime minutes,” says RIM.
The BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphones will also now have FM radio functionality, with a new app that makes use of the already built-in radio circuitry.
Share
