Now it’s official — the 16GB Wi-Fi edition of RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is now available from Sprint for $499.99. If you’re unfamiliar with the specs, here’s a quick rundown of what the tablet has to offer: the PlayBook sports a 7-inch 1024 x 600 WSVGA display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, support for 1080p HDMI-out, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, 1GB of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support. If you’re looking for 4G speeds on the go, Sprint has also said that it expects to launch a WiMAX version of the tablet sometime this summer. Hit the jump for the full press release.

BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi Available from Sprint on June 5

The much anticipated BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet with Wi-Fi® connectivity and 16 GB of storage will go on sale in all Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, www.sprint.com and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) on Sunday, June 5, for $499.99 (plus tax).

BlackBerry PlayBook delivers a professional-grade, consumer-friendly experience that redefines the possibilities of mobile computing. This ultra-portable tablet, measuring less than half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound, looks and feels great. It features a vivid 7-inch high-resolution display that is highly-responsive with a fluid touch screen experience. It also offers industry-leading performance, uncompromised web browsing with full Adobe Flash support, true multitasking, HD multimedia, advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

Customers that have a BlackBerry smartphone can also benefit from BlackBerry® Bridge™, a unique feature that allows the user to wirelessly and securely connect their BlackBerry smartphone, running OS 5.0 or higher, to the BlackBerry PlayBook over Bluetooth®. The secure connection allows the user to access their BlackBerry smartphone’s email, address book, calendar, memo pad, task list, BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger™) and browsing functionality using the large display on the tablet.

BlackBerry Bridge is available as a free download on BlackBerry App World™ and will be supported on BlackBerry smartphone data plans from Sprint for no additional charge.

BlackBerry PlayBook features include:

7-inch 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen
Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick: 0.9 lbs (425g) and 5.1″ x 7.6″ x 0.4″ (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)
1GHz dual-core processor
BlackBerry® Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
Support for high resolution video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV)
1080p HDMI output
Two 1080p HD cameras for video conferencing and video capture – 3 megapixel front-facing and 5 megapixel rear-facing
1 GB RAM memory
16 GB internal storage
GPS, Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), 6-Axis Motion Sensor (Gyroscope), Digital Compass (Magnetometer)
Stereo speakers and stereo microphones
Wi-Fi® (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support
In addition to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with Wi-Fi, Sprint and RIM are working together on the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablet.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

The BlackBerry PlayBook will soon move from vaporware to the real world. The seven-inch tablet will be available April 19 in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models that match the price of equivalent Apple iPad 2 models at $500, $600, and $700. The parity of storage capacity and price makes for a somewhat level playing field in comparing the two, so here are a few reasons that stand out to steer clear of the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Size

While the two tablets may seem evenly matched, you’re paying the same amount for a smaller device with the PlayBook. It’s like going to a restaurant and having them tell you that the medium drink, and the large drink are both the same price. Wouldn’t you get the large drink? There are those, however, who consider the seven inch tablet to be a virtue–lighter and easier to work with one-handed. I’m just not one of them. I don’t agree that those factors are worth sacrificing display size.

The jury is still out and there is plenty of passionate debate over whether the tablet can fill the role of mobile computing platform in place of a notebook PC. With a tablet like the iPad 2 or Xoom, there is at least enough screen real estate to take on some productivity tasks, but a tablet like the BlackBerry PlayBook is more like an oversized smartphone than a slim notebook and is too small to accomplish much more than you can with many smartphones.

3G Wireless

The BlackBerry tethering feature is sort of cool–being able to sync email and use the PlayBook as a larger external display for a BlackBerry smartphone (although not much larger as we just got done talking about). However, with the PlayBook, tethering with a BlackBerry smartphone isn’t just a feature, it’s a necessity. The initial PlayBook models will only be equipped with Wi-Fi, and will be unable to sync data with a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) at all. Tablets like the iPad 2 and Xoom also come in 3G models with cellular networking to connect in areas where no wireless network is available.

Email

The PlayBook doesn’t do email. Using BlackBerry Bridge to tether the PlayBook with a BlackBerry smartphone will allow some email functionality by enabling the smartphone connection with BES to pass through to the tablet. As for email outside of BES, RIM suggests using the Web to get to it–like logging into Outlook Web Access. An update is planned for later this year which will supposedly give the PlayBook the ability to connect to BES natively, and possible expand other email options, but for a tablet aimed primarily at business users this wonky email setup is a severe handicap.

Apps

RIM won some bonus points with the announcement that the BlackBerry PlayBook will be able to run Android apps. Kudos. However, Android as a platform has only a fraction of the apps available for Apple’s iOS. If you break it down based on apps that are actually designed for the tablet as opposed to the smartphone, the gap is even wider in favor of the iPad. I know that the majority of app pitches I get are aimed at the iPad, and when I inquire about other platforms Android is on the radar, but has to wait a few months because it’s a lower priority.

The Android apps won’t run natively either, which could lead to performance issues. The Android apps will run in an a separate environment within an app player which can be downloaded from BlackBerry App World. The PlayBook will also run BlackBerry apps, but there are even fewer of those.

In many ways, the PlayBook seems more on par with the Atrix 4G laptop dock than with other tablets. It has more functionality than the Atrix 4G as a standalone mobile device, but when it comes to critical functionality the RIM tablet relies heavily on the BlackBerry smartphone.

If you have a BlackBerry smartphone, there are some cool features in the PlayBook and you should at least check it out–but, I believe that other tablets still present a much better value. If you don’t have a BlackBerry smartphone, don’t even think about getting a PlayBook tablet.

Source Pcworld

An amazing movie player with srt support for you on BlackBerry PlayBook. It supports all different formates of movie’s with out the need for conversions. Srt subtitle support and also provides options to position subtitles at different areas on the screen.

Features:
- Subtitles color can be changed
- Subtitles size can be changed
- Position of subtitles can be cus
tomised
- Show or hid controls by swiping on top
- many more features to be adde
d in later releases.

Usage :
Add the movie file to your BlackBerry PlayBook ‘videos’ folder i.e ..
(ex: Z:\v
ideos\The_Hitchhiker’s_Guide_To_The_Galaxy.avi)
Download a srt file and copy it to same folder
where your movie file resides.
(ex: Z:\videos\The_Hitchhiker’s_Guide_To_The_Galaxy.srt)
Excep
t for the extension both files should have same names.
Open your MovieSrtPlayer
to enjoy the movie’s of your choice.

Price: $ 1.99 Download MovieSRTPlayer For Playbook  in AppWorld

The guys at N4bb posted that they had some info from one of their sources about the BlackBerry PlayBook 2. Keep in mind this is only rumored, but it is nice to see what may be in the works.

We have heard about different colors and a 10″ version of the PlayBook, but listed below are some other features that may be coming.

• Black & white colored models
• SIM card slot
• 4G/WiFi only, no 3G version
• Thinner frame around screen
• Able to connect to BES without BlackBerry Bridge

Queue Manager is a Netflix Queue Manager Application created with Adobe’s AIR Technology.
With Queue Manager you can connect to your Netflix Queue and update your Netflix Queue on the go by your BlackBerry Playbook

- Easily search for titles
- Organize and manage queues
- Check out recommendations
- Browse for titles
- Get information about and queue titles still in theaters
- Search and browse by your favorite actor

Download Netflix Queue Manager for BlackBerry Playbook Here

I have been using TouchUp Pro for a while now and yet to be disappointed with performance and I really like having the choice to overwrite the original or save the photo as a new one. All effects are stack-able to make a ton of different effects and looks for your Playbook

Features Include:

* Load pictures from Camera or Photo Roll
* Contrast / Brightness
* Hue / Saturation
* Rotation / Flip
* Cropping
* Red Eye Reduction
* Blur / Sharpen
* Color Shifting
* Unlimited Undo / Redo
* Overwrite existing images, or save new ones.

Touchup Pro also includes a long list of cool effects:
* B & W
* Vignette
* Sepia
* Sepia (Green)
* Sepia (Red)
* Red Pop
* Dark Pop
* Deep Purple
* Green Tint
* High Contrast
* Low Saturation
* High Saturation

Free trial version is available so give it a try.

Price 2.99 (free trial version available)

Download Photo Editor For BlackBerry PlayBook in BlackBerry App World Here.

You know the old saying, “If you can’t beat them, go to another market!” Well, that is not how I remember it either, but evidently Research In Motion (RIM) paraphrases it that way. Lagging behind the competition in the mobile phone marketplace it dominated only 3 years ago, RIM wisely began last year to position themselves favorably in the next mobile computing war … PC Car Wars. Their purchase of QNX Software Systems Co in 2010 gave them immediate entry into the 20 million cars that QNX has built high-end entertainment and control systems for.

Looking forward, they smartly saw that the next “mobile PC” was going to be none other than a person’s vehicle. Integrating smartphone and tablet technology into automobiles is the wave of the future, and the future is now. QNX has partnership agreements with BMW AG, Toyota Motor Corp and General Motors, and RIM will be pushing to add to that impressive stable of auto industry big wigs. And in a move that surprised many, but makes sense now, the recently released BlackBerry PlayBook tablet employed QNX software instead of more traditional systems.

A smooth transition into car and tablet interface seems just a press release away. As evidence, RIM displayed the dash in a souped-up Corvette “BlackBerry PlayBook Car” that employs their QNX tablet software, which is used as the control center for all the car’s functions. Reading email, text-to-voice, apps, music and movie playing are all areas RIM is working toward adding to their soon-in-a-car display.

Allowing cars to “go online” through your BlackBerry or PlayBook would also be doable through a USB or other such interface in the dash. The PlayBook tablet it rolled out a month ago made a significant and immediate score, with over 50,000 units moved on the first launch 24 hour period. This is majorly important because RIM is unveiling several new BlackBerry models the next couple of months using the same QNX software.

When can you expect to test drive a PlayBook or BlackBerry Car at your local dealer? As early as the Fall season 2011, Derek Kuhn says. He is the VP of QNX who has had the dream job of touring the country in the gorgeous Corvette RIM is displaying its wares in. Look for Toyota and GM to roll out display cars featuring RIM products soon, as they both already use QNX software in a majority of their new cars.

Visit the Amazon Blackberry Playbook Store for great selection and prices on the Playbook Tablet and Accessories.

via Topcomputertablets

When I first started using my BlackBerry PlayBook tablet about a month ago, I was impressed that I could get through nearly an entire day of moderate-to-heavy use–non-stop e-mail and messaging, frequent browsing and checking my social networks, along with the occasional streamed video or audio track.

But today, my PlayBook battery has significantly less life per charge, and that seems to be largely due to RIM’s latest BlackBerry PlayBook OS update. (RIM has acknowledged that PlayBook OS v1.0.3.1868, the most recently released PlayBook OS, can cause users to experience a substantial drop in battery life than previous OS builds.)

Until RIM releases an updated PlayBook OS to address the weakened battery life in the latest tablet software, PlayBook owners experiencing battery issues will mostly just have to deal with less overall tablet life.

Thankfully, a number of measures exist that you can take to help boost your overall PlayBook battery life. Even if you’re among the lucky few owning a PlayBook not exhibiting any negative affects from the latest PlayBook OS, the following battery tips and tricks can still help you get more life out of your tablet.

Disable PlayBook Wireless Radios When Not In Use

Though the initial version of RIM’s PlayBook is Wi-Fi only, meaning it does not currently pack a cellular radio, the tablet does have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. One of the simplest ways to conserve PlayBook battery is by turning off these radios when they’re not in use.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to leave Bluetooth enabled at all times if you wish to access your BlackBerry e-mail and PIM applications via your BlackBerry smartphone and the BlackBerry Bridge application.

However, you can save battery life by disabling Bluetooth when you don’t need access to your BlackBerry e-mail, calendar, contacts etc. And RIM has promised native e-mail and PIM apps for the PlayBook some time this summer, so it shouldn’t be too long before you can access these apps without the need for an active Bluetooth connection–assuming your BlackBerry administrator chooses not to continue using Bridge, which can provide an added layer of security, since no BES information is ever stored on a PlayBook that uses Bridge for access to BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) data.

To disable PlayBook Wi-Fi, simply click the Wi-Fi symbol in your PlayBook’s home-screen system tray, located in the upper-right corner of your display, and then tap the Wi-Fi on/off button so it reads Off.

The process for disabling Bluetooth is similar; just tap the Bluetooth icon in your PlayBook’s system tray, then tap the on/off button into the off position.

Keep PlayBook, BlackBerry Smartphone Close When Bridged

If you’re like me, you keep your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and RIM smartphone connected, via BlackBerry Bridge, at all times, for continuous access to BlackBerry mail, calendar, contacts, etc. But because Bridge employs Bluetooth to connect your tablet and smartphone, you may see notably less PlayBook and smartphone battery life when connected via Bridge–especially if your tablet and smartphone aren’t particularly close to each other or they’re separated by a wall or other obstacle when Bridged.

It’s a good idea to keep your smartphone and tablet relatively close while they’re Bridged, since it can take more battery life to transfer data back and forth between the two devices when they’re any distance away from each other.

Your tablet and smartphone may also occasionally lose the Bluetooth connection if they’re too far apart or the signal can’t travel through a particularly thick wall, for example, which could lead to even more battery drain as the devices attempt to reconnect.

Charge PlayBook Often, Use “Rapid” Charging Accessories

The best way to ensure that your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet always has battery life is to charge it whenever possible. When you’re sitting at your desk working, plug in your PlayBook. When you’re on the couch surfing the Web, keep the tablet charging. It may sound like a bit of a no-brainer, but the more frequently you charge your tablet, the less likely it is to run out of power when you need it the most. (Note: RIM recently suggested “cycling” your PlayBook battery following the BlackBerry Tablet OS update to v1.0.2.1868, so you may want to fully discharge then recharge your battery a few times.)

To ensure that you can always charge your PlayBook when you have access to a power outlet, it’s a good idea to pick up an extra charger or two; one for home, one for the office, etc. However, it’s worth noting that you should not use a BlackBerry smartphone charger to power up your PlayBook. The two devices require a different charging current, and not only will it take much longer to power up your tablet if you’re using a normal BlackBerry smartphone charger, your tablet isn’t likely to receive a full charge.

RIM also offers a couple of “rapid charging” accessories: the BlackBerry PlayBook Rapid Charger; and the PlayBook Rapid Charging Pod. Though I haven’t used either of them and therefore can’t attest to their effectiveness, RIM says the rapid charging accessories can power up your tablet in half the time of the standard PlayBook charger. (Neither accessory is cheap, though, at $70.00 each.)

Properly Manage PlayBook Multitasking, Close Unused Apps

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a multitasking powerhouse. But real multitasking–leaving many apps open or active while switching back and forth between them–can drastically increase your PlayBook’s power consumption.

First things first, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of closing PlayBook apps whenever you’re finished using them. This will help ensure that those apps aren’t draining any valuable power, and your PlayBook will perform better overall with fewer open applications. To close a PlayBook app, simply exit out of it by swiping your finger upwards from the bottom of your display, then click the tiny “X” that appears beneath it. You can also swipe upwards again from the minimized app to the top of your display to “flick” it closed.

The BlackBerry PlayBook offers users a few different multitasking “modes,” one of which will drain more PlayBook battery than the others when used carelessly. To access the various PlayBook Application Behavior settings, open up your PlayBook settings menu by tapping the gear-icon in the top-right corner of your PlayBook’s home screen. Next, select the General option, and you’ll see a section for Application Behavior.

The Default setting stops all open applications when one of them is in full-screen mode. The Paused option is the best for conserving battery life, because it “freezes” all applications until you use them in full-screen mode. And the Showcase setting, though valuable, because it can leave all your applications running and active even when another app is in full-screen mode, is the harshest on battery life.

PlayBook owners who are very conscious of battery life will probably want to use the Paused option most frequently to conserve power. But the PlayBook’s Application Behavior settings are somewhat irrelevant if you simply close your apps when you’re not using them.

Optimize PlayBook Display, Notification Settings to Boost Battery Life

The PlayBook’s brilliant 1024 x 600 WSVGA display looks great, but it can also notably drain battery life if not managed correctly. Thankfully, RIM built a number of display-related settings into the PlayBook Tablet OS that can help you maximize your tablet battery life.

To access your PlayBook display settings, tap the gear-icon in the top right corner of your home screen, and then choose the Screen option.

The settings you want to modify here are related to how your display behaves while not charging, so you should tap the Battery options. Next, decrease the screen Brightness setting to the lowest value you feel comfortable with; the lower the screen brightness, the less drain on your battery. Then do the same for the Backlight Time-out and Standby Time-out settings; the shorter the time period you set, the more PlayBook power you’ll retain.

Finally, it’s a good idea to enable Automatic Backlight Dimming because this setting will also help conserve PlayBook battery.

You can also help to boost overall tablet battery by opening up your Sounds options within the PlayBook settings, and reducing the Master Volume, Keyboard Feedback and Notifications sound settings to the lowest value that works for you.

Reduce Use of PlayBook Video Chat, Streaming Services

Thanks to the BlackBerry PlayBook’s Video Chat app, videoconferencing on RIM’s tablet is as simple as launching an application and clicking a contact’s name. But PlayBook video chat comes with a price; the application is a serious battery hog, and it should be used sparingly.

In fact, I suggest plugging your PlayBook into a power outlet whenever you employ the video chat app, since it drains the battery so rapidly. I also recommend reducing the use of other similar streaming services, such as Amazon’s Cloud Drive and Player, and even YouTube streaming videos–or at least plug in your tablet while you use them.

It is also worth noting that even if you don’t employ the PlayBook Video Chat app, you should open it and accept the terms of use, according to RIM, because leaving the terms “unaccepted” can drain battery life.

Its not often that you get as prestigious a company as Ettinger turning its design expertise to that of the technology world. But the leather goods manufacturer has gone and done just that, turning out a set of oh-so-special cases for the brand new BlackBerry PlayBook.

And it’s not alone, plenty of other top designers and manufacturers have jumped on board too and created some of the nicest accessories of any gadget to date. Japanese company Porter has created bags and sleeves in its signature canvas. Even Valextra of Italy has crafted a set of leather cases for the device.

First up are the Ganzo cases. Made from Minerva Natural leather and manufactured in Japan, they are a sleek zipped pocket for the PlayBook to sit safely in. They’re available in natural, mulberry or olive.

The Italian made Valextra cases were a particular favourite. Fine grained Calfskin is used to line them and they also include an envelope pocket and punched hole for headphones.

Next up are the Porter cases from Japan. Using strong elastics, they keep the PlayBook secure whilst allowing space for notebooks or stationary.

Ettinger has produced some particularly expensive looking cases for the PlayBook. Working with leather since 1934 has meant that it has a total expertise with the stuff. Of all the cases we saw this easily looked the most hardy. Handfinished and with contrasting interior leather, as well as extra pockets and compartments.

There were also some less expensive cases on show. We particularly like the skin cases on show which simply wrapped round the PlayBook to keep it nice and safe.

Want’s ‘Les Essentiels de la Vie were an interesting offering to the case collection. The Canadian company has made a sort of miniature briefcase to hold your PlayBook and any other relevant materials in. Boasting plentiful inner pockets and elasticated straps we thought this perhaps had the best functionality of the bunch.

Finally, we have the Belgian made Delvaux cases. Simply a leather envelope to slip the PlayBook into, these were the most basic of the bunch. That said, Delvaux is the oldest leather manufacturer in the world, so each case carries a pretty hefty sense of cool with them as well.

Source

Blackberry Playbook defeats Motorola Xoom

BlackBerry Playbook tablet have been circulating about a month. Haddoubt, Playbook from Research in Motion (RIM) is reportedly managed to record decent sales numbers.

BlackBerry Playbook tablet have been circulating about a month. Haddoubt, Playbook from Research in Motion (RIM) is reportedly managed to record decent sales numbers.
According to the analysis of RBC Capital Markets, Playbook sold 250 thousand units in the first months of its circulation. If the data is accurate, it means that Blackberry Playbook can exceed Motorola Xoom, but it is far below the iPad 2.
Motorola Xoom achieves sales of 250 thousand units in the period of slower, two months. While IPAD 2 as the king of tablets, scored a number of units sold 300 thousand units only on thefirst day of marketing.
Playbook initially could reap pessimistic comments from observers’ technology. Target shooting is the main problem in the absence of native email Playbook, so the user must connect it to your BlackBerry phone to do email.
RIM itself has not issued official figures Playbook how many units that have been bought by consumers so far. But they welcomed thereport that bestselling Playbook.