BlackBerry PlayBook - Latecomer to the Tablet Party

The long awaited BlackBerry PlayBook has finally begun selling recently. Will the QNX OS equipped 7-inch tablet put BlackBerry back in the game? Or is it a little too late? Find out the details from our test experience in this review.

A Latecomer to the Tablet Party

All eyes were on Research In Motion (RIM) when the company announced their first tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook in . Many industry analysts saw the PlayBook as the magic bullet that could possibly put RIM back in the game. 2010 saw fierce competition from Android devices and Apple's iPhone that caused RIM's smartphone market to slide quarter after quarter. The competition was also slowly creeping onto RIM's stronghold in the enterprise sector. Further adding to RIM's woes was the growing "tablet fever" as the PlayBook was expected to be only available internationally by Q2 of 2011, a timing which may not be favorable for a company playing catch up with major players such as Apple and Samsung who have already served up their second generation of tablets. 

The BlackBerry PlayBook has finally arrived after months of waiting.

The BlackBerry PlayBook has finally arrived after months of waiting.

The BlackBerry PlayBook, in some ways, demonstrated RIM's efforts to arrest these problems. RIM adopts a brand new OS for the PlayBook, which is the QNX Neutrino micokernel architecture. The QNX OS is also expected to be powering future BlackBerry smartphones as well. 

The PlayBook also packs a list of impressive hardware specifications to match the competition as it's powered by a 1GHz processor and is augmented with 1GB of RAM. Designed with a 7-inch screen, it makes the PlayBook more portable than the more common 10-inch sized tablets. To cater to different needs of users, RIM has offered three storage capacity options of the PlayBook - 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The PlayBook unit in our review is the 16GB Wi-Fi version. According to RIM, there are two additional 4G BlackBerry PlayBooks in the pipeline, which are scheduled for release in the second half of 2011. Till then, all PlayBooks will feature Wi-Fi only connectivity. In addition, BlackBerry aims to strengthen its foothold in the corporate industry by promoting the PlayBook as the world's first enterprise-ready tablet. Let's see what the PlayBook has to offer in detail, but just before that, if you've never known or seen what the PlayBook brings to the ecosystem, this short video captured from our BlackBerry DevCon 2010 clearly highlights its strengths:-


Design Aspects

We have grown to expect nothing but solid build quality from BlackBerry devices and the PlayBook is no exception. The PlayBook feels sturdy built thanks to its metallic body. The angular sides of the PlayBook play a major role in making the device feel real good in the hands. Moreover, the back has a rubberized matte surface, making the PlayBook less likely to accidentally slip out of off your hands or slide off the table. The PlayBook with its handy 7-inch screen measures a mere 10mm in thickness, making it one of the slimmest tablets in the market.

By having angular sides, RIM makes it easy for you to hold the PlayBook in your hands.

By having angular sides, RIM makes it easy for you to hold the PlayBook in your hands.

The PlayBook (left) is thinner than the BlackBerry Torch (right), making it a truly portable device for people on-the-go.

The PlayBook (left) is thinner than the BlackBerry Torch (right), making it a truly portable device for people on-the-go.

Surrounding the 7-inch screen of the PlayBook is a thick black bezel. At first glance, you might think that it is a design overlook on RIM's part but that's where assumed wrong. Implemented in the black bezel is a series of swipe-based gestures that you can utilize to navigate the interface. It is an interesting and refreshing concept by RIM, unlike the home button on the Apple iPads and the virtual buttons found in Android tablets. This will help keep the main display clear and visible, while the surrounding bezel area is used to invoke action/navigation functions. We'll explore more of this in detail on the following page. One last design note here is that stereo speakers are flanked on the left and right side of the device, which may affect the usability of the PlayBook. If not careful, your hands may block the speaker when you are watching movies and could be troublesome to avoid.

BlackBerry keeps the front of the PlayBook clean by integrating navigation gestures onto the black bezel.

BlackBerry keeps the front of the PlayBook clean by integrating navigation gestures onto the black bezel.

A 3-megapixel front camera and notification LED sit at the center top of the bezel in landscape mode. At the bottom of the bezel is the BlackBerry brand name, which indicates that the PlayBook is designed to be used in landscape mode by default. However, the screen rotation function enables you to use the device in portrait mode when needed just fine.

It is thoughtful of RIM to add the LED notification on the PlayBook, which alerts us to new notifications.

It is thoughtful of RIM to add the LED notification on the PlayBook, which alerts us to new notifications.

At the top, you will find the Power button and media controls. Our biggest gripe with the PlayBook is with the Power button. It is so small and recessed that we always have difficulty accessing the button. For a button that is used very often, we can't t understand why it is poorly implemented.  We have seen better power buttons on other tablets such as the . Unlike the Power button, the media controls have a slight protrusion, which allows you to use them easier. We welcome the addition of the Play / Pause button as most tablets only have the volume controls as standard fare now. Along this same plane, you'll also find a 3.5mm audio jack for you to plug in your own earphones. 

We really dislike the Power button as it is very hard to press. The media control buttons next to it are however much better designed.

We really dislike the Power button as it is very hard to press. The media control buttons next to it are however much better designed.

At the bottom of the PlayBook, you will find the HDMI, microUSB and charging ports. Like most other tablets, the PlayBook can be charged via the microUSB cable while transferring files at the same time. 

You can find the HDMI port (left), microUSB port (centre) and the charging contacts at the bottom of the PlayBook

You can find the HDMI port (left), microUSB port (centre) and the charging contacts at the bottom of the PlayBook

At the back of the PlayBook, you'll find a 5-megapixel camera at the top and the stylish BlackBerry logo at the center. Just like the HTC Flyer, the BlackBerry logo adds a premium look to the PlayBook. This will likely appeal to corporate users who want a functional yet stylish tablet.

The rubberized matte surface, coupled with the metallic brand logo, really enhances the look and feel of the PlayBook.

The rubberized matte surface, coupled with the metallic brand logo, really enhances the look and feel of the PlayBook.

The PlayBook's Tricks of the Trade

A tablet is just what its name suggests of its form factor, a tablet. - until the software and features come together to truly define one tablet from another. To illustrate what the BlackBerry PlayBook can do, here's a quick features video that we pieced together from our trip to attend the BlackBerry DevCon Asia 2011:-


A Closer Look up its Sleeves - Feature Details

On first looks, the BlackBerry tablet OS, also known as QNX, has a very clean and straightforward interface. It does bear some resemblance to the BlackBerry 6 OS found on its existing smartphones. For example, you have five tabs from which you can view your apps. They are categorized in the following order: All, Favorites, Media, Games and BlackBerry Bridge.

The BlackBerry tablet OS is designed to be touchscreen friendly.

The BlackBerry tablet OS is designed to be touchscreen friendly.

The BlackBerry tablet OS allows you to move apps across each tab by a tap and hold method, which is similar to how you do it on the iOS and Android platforms. Instead of the selected app "shaking" or "vibrating", you will see the app's motion mirroring a heart beating.

Moving apps is pretty straightforward on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Moving apps is pretty straightforward on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

One unique feature of the BlackBerry tablet OS is its multitasking function. When you open several apps at the same time, these apps will be arranged in a row above the five tabs. You can swipe left or right to choose any of the active apps running in the background. From our testing, it can run up to a maximum of 10 apps at a given time. The PlayBook will automatically close one app if you open the 11th app. 

The BlackBerry PlayBook has a nice multitasking feature that allows you to jump between apps in a fast and easy manner that's aided by the navigational gestures on its bezel.

The BlackBerry PlayBook has a nice multitasking feature that allows you to jump between apps in a fast and easy manner that's aided by the navigational gestures on its bezel.

To quit or close a running app, you can either tap on the "x" icon at the bottom of the app window or simply tap on the app and swipe upwards. We prefer the latter method as the motion is more natural.

When you want to quit or close an app, simply swipe it upwards into the background. It really feels good to quit or close an app by swiping it upwards into the background.

When you want to quit or close an app, simply swipe it upwards into the background. It really feels good to quit or close an app by swiping it upwards into the background.

Probably the most interesting feature of the PlayBook is the use of the black bezel for navigation. We have to admit that it is truly one-of-a-kind as it is very different from how we navigate the user interfaces of other tablets. To unlock the screen, simply swipe upwards from the bottom of the bezel. This action can also be used to minimise an app that you are currently on. To show the menu options of an app, swipe downwards from the top of the bezel.

This is the default interface you will see when you activate the camera.

This is the default interface you will see when you activate the camera.

Swipe downwards from the top and you will see the menu options for the camera app.

Swipe downwards from the top and you will see the menu options for the camera app.

The next feature is useful when switching between apps running in the background. Instead of minimizing the app and going back to the home screen, you can swipe left or right from the edge of the bezel onto the screen to move to the next app. If you want to know the battery status or the time, you can swipe from the top left or right corner of the bezel onto the screen. 

You can check the time, date or battery status when using an app by swiping from the top left or right hand corner of the bezel onto the screen.

You can check the time, date or battery status when using an app by swiping from the top left or right hand corner of the bezel onto the screen.

Summary of Gesture Navigation

  • To unlock screen or minimize active app window - swipe upwards from bottom of bezel 
  • To access menu option of app - swipe downwards from top of bezel into the screen 
  • To switch between app windows - swipe left or right from the edge of the bezel into the screen 
  • To close an active app - tap on the app and swipe upwards from screen into bezel
  • To check battery status and time - swipe from top left or right corner of the bezel into the screen 

While this idea of using the black bezel for navigation is truly novel, a first time user of the PlayBook will not be familiar with these gestures. Existing tablet users of other platforms will also face a learning curve to use the PlayBook optimally. However, after a few days of usage and getting ourselves familiarized with the different gestures, navigating the menu on the PlayBook became a breeze.

One of the key aspects of the PlayBook is the BlackBerry Bridge app, which will more likely appeal to corporate users because of its security mechanism.The app is available for download on BlackBerry smartphones via the App World. It helps to establish a secure Bluetooth connection between your BlackBerry smartphone and PlayBook. Upon successful connection, you can access messages, contacts and calendar information from your smartphone on the PlayBook. The Bridge Browser allows you to open a browser window to surf the Internet using the data plan of your smartphone, hence eliminating the need for a separate data SIM or Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use Bridge Files to search and access documents stored on your memory card in the smartphone

If the BlackBerry Bridge connection is broken, you cannot access these features as they are locked.

If the BlackBerry Bridge connection is broken, you cannot access these features as they are locked.

You can access these features upon successful connection.

You can access these features upon successful connection.

You can add another layer of security against unauthorized access to your smartphone data by locking the BlackBerry Bridge connection with your smartphone's password. Each time the user attempts to access the data on your smartphone through the PlayBook, he or she will need to enter the smartphone's password.

You can add another layer of security against unauthorized access to your smartphone data by locking the BlackBerry Bridge connection with your smartphone's password. Each time the user attempts to access the data on your smartphone through the PlayBook, he or she will need to enter the smartphone's password.

The PlayBook acts as a bigger window for your BlackBerry smartphone, allowing you to view, edit and create content on the go. Any changes made in either device will be automatically synced between the two devices. 

You can add contacts on your PlayBook, which can be synced to your BlackBerry smartphone and vice versa.

You can add contacts on your PlayBook, which can be synced to your BlackBerry smartphone and vice versa.

The Calender app allows you to view and edit appointments. You can choose to view your calender in the day, week or month format.

The Calender app allows you to view and edit appointments. You can choose to view your calender in the day, week or month format.

We feel that the BlackBerry Bridge is very useful for corporate users who are concerned about handling confidential information. However, the need for a BlackBerry smartphone to enable this feature is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is extending the renowned security features on the BlackBerry smartphone to the Playbook. On the other, it is alienating those who do not own a BlackBerry.

The PlayBook supports Adobe Flash on its browser app, which is common among Android tablets as well.

The browser displays thumbnails of your bookmarks.

The browser displays thumbnails of your bookmarks.

The PlayBook provides a comfortable and uncompromised web browsing experience.

The PlayBook provides a comfortable and uncompromised web browsing experience.

The PlayBook, as the name suggests, is not all about work. BlackBerry packs some nifty entertainment features into the PlayBook. One of the more interesting game apps you can find on the PlayBook is Need For Speed Undercover, which is optimized for play on the tablet. The PlayBook has no problems running the game, thanks to its 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.

We got addicted to playing the Need For Speed Undercover game while reviewing the PlayBook.

We got addicted to playing the Need For Speed Undercover game while reviewing the PlayBook.

The PlayBook comes pre-installed with the Kobo Books app where you can create an account, sign in and shop for eBooks.

Having a 7-inch screen makes the PlayBook perfect for reading eBooks.

Having a 7-inch screen makes the PlayBook perfect for reading eBooks.

The YouTube app is also preinstalled on the PlayBook for you to browse and view videos.

Although the YouTube app in the PlayBook is not as fanciful as the one found in Honeycomb tablets, we like the fact that the interface is simple and easy to use.

Although the YouTube app in the PlayBook is not as fanciful as the one found in Honeycomb tablets, we like the fact that the interface is simple and easy to use.

The BlackBerry App World also has more apps for you to download onto the PlayBook. Although it pales in comparison with the Android Market and Apple App Store, it is growing steadily. BlackBerry is also working on expanding the app ecosystem by providing tools for developers to port their apps over to the QNX OS. In addition, BlackBerry announced that the PlayBook can run Android apps, though no specific timeline has been given to see this officially supported.  For now, you have to contend with what the BlackBerry App World has to offer.  

There is a handful of game apps available for you to download but don't have high hopes on finding some popular games like Angry Birds or Plants VS Zombies among the list.

There is a handful of game apps available for you to download but don't have high hopes on finding some popular games like Angry Birds or Plants VS Zombies among the list.

You can find more business apps in the BlackBerry App World.

You can find more business apps in the BlackBerry App World.

We hope the support for Android apps will help boost the e-magazine category in the near future.

We hope the support for Android apps will help boost the e-magazine category in the near future.

Having reviewed several Android tablets and Apple iPads, we feel that the BlackBerry tablet OS can do much better in some aspects. First and foremost, you cannot organize the apps into folders on the PlayBook. If you have a lot of apps installed on your PlayBook, you have to scroll through a long list before finding the desired app.

This brings us to the second shortfall of the PlayBook, which is the universal search function that will certainly make finding apps much easier. The BlackBerry OS 6 already featured it in the smartphones, why not the PlayBook? Android and iOS devices are also sporting this useful feature. We really hope to see it being implemented in a future software upgrade.

As mentioned earlier in this section, the BlackBerry tablet OS has five tabs to choose from. We would have liked the options to add more tabs and rename them. While the existing five tabs are sufficient for average users, we are not sure if that is enough for power users. They are more likely to download more apps and therefore need more tabs to organize content into different categories.

Our last gripe, a minor one though, is the absence of widgets. After reviewing the Honeycomb tablets, we kind of like the functionality of widgets and how convenient it is to have up-to-date information displayed on the home screens. Forgive us if we sound like Android fan boys but who can resist the rising Android fever? Especially when there are positive aspects that other players can look to improve upon their own.

Different playing field 

The BlackBerry PlayBook is no slouch when it comes to the performance aspect. It has a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz and 1GB of RAM to run almost anything on the PlayBook. Due to the relatively new QNX OS, there is no benchmark available that can be used to to gauge the PlayBook's performance against the competitors.

Based on our time with the PlayBook, the user experience was great. Apps launched and ran smoothly without hiccups. The interface is very responsive, making switching from one app to another effortless. Even when we opened several apps and left them running in the background, the PlayBook showed no signs of slowdown or processing lag. With a screen resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, for a 7-inch screen, it is a joy reading and watching videos on the PlayBook. Colors are vibrant and warm. The screen is a bit reflective but not as bad as the one found on the . The pair of stereo speakers flanking the left and right side of the bezel is satisfactory for viewing movies and listening to music in a room but definitely not loud enough in an open environment with a lot more ambient noise.

Of all of our benchmarks, SunSpider JavaScript can still be used to compare the PlayBook against the HTC Flyer, the Apple iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom in terms of web browser performance since it's not OS or hardware agnostic.

From the scores above, you can see an almost similar performance among all the tablets. Even though the PlayBook emerged last, the delta isn't that wide and we cut it some slack since it is the first BlackBerry tablet. There is certainly room for improvement in the future. Numbers aside, we encountered no problems when surfing the Internet on the PlayBook. The experience was generally a smooth one and the support for Adobe Flash in the browser further ensured we were not restricted from surfing sites that are flash-heavy in design. The test is conducted with stock firmwares to minimize any variable factors that may affect the results of the benchmarks. 

The PlayBook comes with a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 3-megapixel front camera, which are capable of 1080p HD video recording.This means that video call quality will probably be better than other tablets, which adds some brownie points for the PlayBook in the eyes of the corporate consumers. Let's check out the performance of the 5-megapixel rear camera as we put it through the tests.

The colors are more vibrant and the white balance is more accurate. Generally, the camera does a better job compared to those found in other tablets.

The colors are more vibrant and the white balance is more accurate. Generally, the camera does a better job compared to those found in other tablets.

The image quality is not bad. The camera captured some sharpness and detail around the corners.

The image quality is not bad. The camera captured some sharpness and detail around the corners.

Last but not least, the BlackBerry PlayBook is put through our usual round of battery life assessment, where we loop a 720p video with screen brightness and volume set to 100%. We turned on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections with data constantly streaming in through email and Twitter. In this test, we compare the PlayBook with the HTC Flyer, the Apple iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom.

Specifications/Device
BlackBerry PlayBook
HTC Flyer
Apple iPad 2
Motorola Xoom
Processor
  • Dual-core 1GHz
  • Single-core 1.5GHz
  • Dual-core 1GHz
  • Dual-core 1GHz
Display Size
  • 7-inch
  • 7-inch
  • 9.7-inch
  • 10.1-inch
Display Type
  • TFT-LCD
  • LCD
  • LED-backlit IPS TFT LCD
  • TFT-LCD
Display Resolution
  • 1024 x 600 pixels
  • 1024 x 600 pixels
  • 1024 x 768 pixels
  • 1280 x 800 pixels
Battery Capacity
  • 5300 mAh
  • 4000 mAh
  • 6930 mAh
  • 3260 mAh
Dimensions
  • 194 x 130 x 10mm
  • 195.4 x 122 x 13.2mm
  • 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm
  • 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm
Weight
  • 425g
  • 420g
  • 613g
  • 708g

From the graphs above, you can see that a good battery life is another strong suits of the BlackBerry PlayBook. It emerged top in its class of 7-inch tablets, and held its own against the larger tablets such as the Apple iPad 2. The PlayBook took the crown at the Portability Index by a huge margin. This is expected since its battery life is considered very good for a 7-inch tablet. Despite having a larger battery capacity of 5300 mAh and just 5g heavier than the HTC Flyer, the BlackBerry PlayBook managed to outlast the Flyer by more than 100 minutes. This contributed to it scoring almost double that of its closest rival for the Portability Index.  With its relatively lightweight,  portable form factor and long battery life, the PlayBook is an attractive offering for consumers who demand a tablet that performs as well as it looks. 

Do note that our battery test is just a simulation of a fairly stressful usage scenario. Actual battery mileage may vary (for the better) due to different usage conditions.

Better Late than Never

Even though the BlackBerry PlayBook arrived late in the tablet scene, it has a bag of tricks such as the QNX OS to impress us. Despite some shortcomings, we feel that it is a good first attempt by RIM to enter the competitive tablet market.

Even though the BlackBerry PlayBook arrived late in the tablet scene, it has a bag of tricks such as the QNX OS to impress us. Despite some shortcomings, we feel that it is a good first attempt by RIM to enter the competitive tablet market.

The BlackBerry Playbook is late in joining the tablet party. Major powerhouses such as Apple and Samsung are already in their second iteration of their tablet models and BlackBerry has just begun with its first. Nevertheless, we feel that as a first attempt, the BlackBerry PlayBook is quite a decent offering.  

Equipped with the brand new QNX OS, the BlackBerry PlayBook comes across a refreshing product in the midst of the Android and Apple tablets. The irony of the QNX OS is that it is simple, yet interesting. While it offers nothing extraordinary in terms of looks, the PlayBook takes us by surprise with its ingenious method of navigation. The use of the bezel around the screen effectively eliminates the need for physical or virtual buttons, although we admit it does take some time and patience to familiarize ourselves with the different gestures. The PlayBook also makes multitasking a breeze as you can easily switch between apps with a few swipes. Generally, the QNX OS looks very promising and solid with its modern look and compelling features. When it comes to battery life, BlackBerry wins hands down in its class. It has the best battery life among the new 7-inch tablets and trumps some of the larger tablets too. In terms of appearances, the PlayBook is a head turner with its elegant design. The build quality is exceptional, which is a hallmark of BlackBerry devices. 

Having the luxury of observing the competition for the past year, we are not too satisfied with some of the shortcomings of the PlayBook. It is missing some useful features that its competitors are very good at. For example, the ability to organize apps into folders and universal search function are absent on the PlayBook. This does not go well with the business-centric image of the PlayBook, where emphasis is on speed and efficiency. We also believe that mainstream users will also appreciate these two features for the convenience of finding apps easier. The app ecosystem is one key area that BlackBerry currently lags behind. We still do not know how the support for Android apps will work out eventually, but at the moment, the BlackBerry App World lacks in both quality and quantity of app choices. The one issue that annoyed us most is the Power button because it is so tiny and flushed to the surface. It certainly spoiled an otherwise great user experience. Currently, the native apps such as email and calender are only accessible if you have a BlackBerry smartphone. Although RIM has indicated that the native calender and email apps are coming in a future update,  potential buyers who are not BlackBerry users may be turned off by this limitation. This would mean the PlayBook's full features are only unleashed to the much smaller user group of existing BlackBerry devices instead of appealing to the masses.

The BlackBerry PlayBook Wi-Fi has been available in this region since end of June through the major telcos and other retail stores. The PlayBook will come in three storage capacities, which are 16GB (S$668), 32GB (S$798) and 64GB ($928). When compared to the HTC Flyer 32GB, the BlackBerry PlayBook fares favorably as it  not only costs less than the Flyer's promotional price of S$899 (launch SRP S$1,068), it offers a longer battery life, a comparable OS and solid build quality. This price range also puts the PlayBook in direct competition with Apple's iPad 2 Wi-Fi models. It is still anybody's guess as to how the BlackBerry PlayBook will fare in terms of sales here.

We feel that the future of BlackBerry PlayBooks lies with the QNX OS. At this point, it misses the mark slightly to be considered a viable alternative to iOS and Android 3.0 devices, but most of this is due to the lack of good app options to tinker with in the App World. Meanwhile for our other nitpicks of the OS, we believe RIM knows their shortcomings too and is working hard to perfect the OS. We have yet to see the full potential of the platform, but for now, the PlayBook is more likely to find itself in a niche market of corporate users due to its emphasis on security and integration with BlackBerry smartphones.

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