SourceCode: PlayBook Predictions

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The BlackBerry PlayBook is RIM's diminuitive yet dynamic 7" inch tablet that's a make or break product for the BlackBerry maker  shipping on April 19. This is a much awaited tablet not just for BlackBerry fans but for new tablet buyers looking into a non Apple and Android tablet option. We discuss our thoughts on the much awaited, incessantly hyped PlayBook.

What RIM is doing right

RIM is smart not to challenge Apple and Android in the 10-inch tablet space. Instead, RIM decided to focus on a 7" inch screen and develop a strategy around a more portable device. Competing head on against Apple right now is just crazy, specially since they have a year's head start in hardware and software.

RIM was also smart in not just blowing up its BlackBerry OS and shoehorning it into a tablet OS. it seems they learned from their early experiments with touch-enabled smartphones in their Storm line. 

RIM uses a whole new tablet OS which is QNX and that it bought specifically for the PlayBook and may eventually decide to use this on smartphones down the line. Starting from scratch has its disadvantages, the most evident is the lack of applications when the PlayBook launches. The risk here is that developers may not even bother to develop on QNX if they see competing tablet operating systems as more commercially viable.

RIM also played the smart card by making the PlayBook a WiFi-only device. By doing so, it isn't limited to using mobile carriers. In Canada, the PlayBook will be sold through Best Buy and Future Shop and is available for pre-order online. 

This puts the device within reach of consumers and makes it easy for interested buyers to check out the features before they buy.

It was rumoured that the PlayBook would be able to run Android Apps under emulation mode, a rumour that sources from BlackBerry refused to comment about until around a few weeks ago when this rumour was confirmed. Allowing Android apps on the PlayBook may pay huge dividends in the long run. 

Considering that most Android apps run sufficiently well in a 7" inch screen (the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7") they should run well on the PlayBook even in emulator mode given that BlackBerry's tablet has a dual core processor and twice the RAM. The big winners here are user who might be getting the best of both worlds on one device.

Selling a range of storage sizes and prices is a great idea and gives the PlayBook more latitude in the market and consumers more choice.

RIM has also thought out its ecosystem of accessories and devices. Their booth at CES showed some impressive cases and add-ons that were all RIM designed and manufactured.

What RIM isn't doing right

Generating hype for a product that's seven month's away from release was not a very good approach. By telling the world about their awesome new tablet (but not announcing any major details on availability and price) was seen as a desperation move on RIM's part. So much has happened since September.

Even their website for the BlackBerry PlayBook is peppered with accolades from websites and news outlets who haven't even reviewed the device beyond very brisk demos seems disingenuous. "It looks sleek, It seems powerful,"  or " the PlayBook looks very snappy," do nothing to instill confidence in a product that is still vapourware.

That the PlayBook will only be able to access enterprise servers via Bluetooth connection to mirror data on a BlackBerry smartphone also seems dangerously shortsighted. Current Analysis' Avi Greengart said in a recent report about the PlayBook, "The PlayBook is not a fully standalone device…it is astonishing that RIM would go this route."

For consumers, this may not be a big deal but for the corporate set who are seen as RIM's loyal user base and the PlayBook's ideal users, this might be an issue specially those who aren't using a data-enabled BlackBerry smartphone.

Going forward

We're weeks away from the actual product launch and hopefully the PlayBook picture will be clearer once the tablet starts shipping and the first actual user hands-on reviews are published. Personally, I have high hopes for the PlayBook.

It seems to have the best combination of specs and size (it is currently the most powerful 7-inch tablet we know of). If the PlayBook can work well independently of a BlackBerry Smartphone and if it can pair nicely with other devices then it should do well in the consumer space which is where the tablet war is expected to take place.