BlackBerry PlayBook wont get BlackBerry 10 afterall

Back in January BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins suggested that the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will receive the BlackBerry 10 update. This seemed like a logical step considering the QNX based PlayBook tablet paved the way for the company's current mobile operating system.

However during the earning conference call on Friday, Heins announced that the company was abandoning their plans to bring BlackBerry 10 to the BlackBerry PlayBook.

BlackBerry PlayBook receives software update

The BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry Q10 may be the new kids on the block but the BlackBerry PlayBook is far from forgotten by the company. BlackBerry is pushing an update out for their only tablet which is 132MB in size and updates the software on the device to the 2.1.0.1526 software version.

This unfortunately isn't the BlackBerry 10 update that many will be expecting for their PlayBooks but is a good indicator that the update may not be to far off.

The BlackBerry PlayBook will receive the BlackBerry 10 software update

BlackBerry’s CEO Thorsten Heins has confirmed that all existing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets will receive the BlackBerry 10 software update. The PlayBook is the only tablet released by the company but comes in various capacity and connectivity options.

The PlayBook features a 7 inch touch display with a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, up to 64GB of internal storage, a 5 megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video capture, a secondary HD camera for video calls which is also capable of 1080p HD video capture, optional 4G LTE connectivity and is powered by a 1GHz dual core processor with 1GB of RAM.

[DEAL] Get the 32GB PlayBook for $159 and the 64GB PlayBook for $199 from Groupon

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a very capable device and Groupon is giving users an opportunity to get a great deal on the tablet. The 32GB version of the tablet is priced at $159 while the 64GB version costs $199. The deal will be available until midnight on Sunday, so make sure you grab your PlayBook while stocks last.

The PlayBook features a 7 inch touch display, up to 64GB of internal storage, a 5 megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video capture, a secondary camera for video calls and is powered by a 1GHz dual core processor.

RIM releases BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+ in the U.K.

The U.K. may have a speedy new LTE network but RIM has decided to stick to 3G, by releasing their BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+ in the region. The device features a 7 inch touch display, 32GB of internal storage, 3G HSPA+ data connectivity, a 5 megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video capture, a secondary camera for video calls, and is powered by  a 1.5 dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM.

The device has been priced at 420 which is surprisingly 30 more than its equivalent Apple iPad mini, which has already been criticized for its high pricing.

BlackBerry PlayBook receiving PlayBook OS 2.1 software update

RIM has released the PlayBook OS 2.1 for its BlackBerry PlayBook tablets. The change-log was first leaked back n July giving us an idea of what to expect in the 2.1 update.

This is the first major update for the device since February and will initially roll out to the WiFi variant of the PlayBook and follow with the other variants based on carrier approval. The update brings several new features and improvements along with better support for Android apps, improvements to BlackBerry Bridge, email and PIM.

Check the detailed change-log of the PlayBook OS 2.1 update below:

BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB to be discontinued by RIM

The BlackBerry PlayBook is RIM's first attempt in the tablet market, and it hasn't been a successful venture against Apple's dominance with the iPad. However RIM has aggressively marketed their QNX based tablet giving users more than one reason to choose the PlayBook.

So while one would expect that the cheapest of the PlayBooks - the 16GB model would remain the most successful, RIM has decided to discontinue it in favor or the higher capacity 32GB and 64GB variants.

[BlackBerry app] Doodle Grub

Doodle Grub is a popular game on the Android and iOS platform, and it's now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The game offers motion controlled addictive gameplay.

You can download the game directly to your device through the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry Bold giveaway

RIM is holding a contest on Twitter giving it's followers a chance to win a BlackBerry PlayBook and a BlackBerry Bold along with some other prizes. The contest will start off today at 2.00 PM EST and continue daily through Friday.

[BlackBerry app] Monopoly updated (1.3.15)

Monopoly for the BlackBerry PlayBook has been updated to version 1.3.15. While Electronic Arts has not shared the change-log for this update, we can assume it adds support for PlayBook OS 2.0.

You can download Monopoly for the BlackBerry PlayBook directly on your device from the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

[Guide] How to setup email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn on BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

 Now that BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 has been released for the BlackBerry PlayBook, its time to take advantage of the new features which are available through the OS.
One of the first things you will want to do is to set-up your email and social network accounts like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

[BlackBerry app] Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD - Now available for free

Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD is now available for free for the BlackBerry PlayBook for all countries (except South Korea) through the BlackBerry App World. In Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, complete the mission unveiled in the first opus of one of the most acclaimed FPS games for smartphones, this time on fronts all over the globe.

You can download Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD directly to your PlayBook through the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

[Guide] How to install the Android Market and Android apps on your BlackBerry PlayBook

The BlackBerry PlayBook features the QNX based PlayBook OS which was recently updated to version 2.0. One of the most anticipated features in the new update is the ability to run repackaged Android applications.

But what if you don't want to wait for your favourite Android apps to be repackaged for the BlackBerry PlayBook? No Problem.
You can use the following guide to get the Android Market and other Android apps running on your PlayBook right now.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 demonstrated

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0  for the BlackBerry Playbook may not be considered a major update but it brings some valuable features to the RIM tablet giving it a full range of functionality. The visual changes in the update are minimal. The menu has been changed a little and the visuals for the docked icons has also been updated.

[BlackBerry app] Angry Birds Rio

Angry Birds Rio is now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook and can be downloaded from the BlackBerry App World for $4.99. Unfortunately BlackBerry smartphone users are left out of this release as it requires the QNX platform. Which should however be available on smartphones next year with BlackBerry OS 10.

You can download Angry Birds Seasons directly on your device from the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

[BlackBerry app] Angry Birds Seasons

Angry Birds Seasons is now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook and can be downloaded from the BlackBerry App World for $4.99. Unfortunately BlackBerry smartphone users are left out of this release as it requires the QNX platform. Which should however be available on smartphones next year with BlackBerry OS 10.

You can download Angry Birds Seasons directly on your device from the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

[BlackBerry app] Angry Birds

Angry Birds is now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook and can be downloaded from the BlackBerry App World for $4.99. Unfortunately BlackBerry smartphone users are left out of this release as it requires the QNX platform. Which should however be available on smartphones next year with BlackBerry OS 10.

You can download Angry Birds directly on your device from the BlackBerry App World or by using the link which follows:

BlackBerry PlayBook available at Best Buy again

When RIM decided to reduce the price of the BlackBerry PlayBook, it was quickly sold out at retailers like BestBuy and has remained out of stock for the last couple of weeks. Now the tablet is back on sale on BestBuy's online stores and should also be available at the outlet stores.

BlackBerry PlayBook - Rooted video demo

Developers revealed that the BlackBerry PlayBook had been rooted a couple of days ago. Now one of the developers have uploaded a video proving that the root is indeed a success. The developer demonstrates some pps/services to log into the PlayBook with root access. The video also shows the brightness and the various LEDs though a computer.

BlackBerry PlayBook Native SDK 2.0 released

RIM has released the native SDK 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook to developers. This is the first beta of the release and gives developers access to the latest BlackBerry Tablet simulator.