I just read that the Playbook will also get the Blackberry 10 Software. Probably late this year when the first phones with Blackberry 10 arrive.

Just thought that it might make more sense for me to buy it in the US as it would be cheaper.
Sounds good!

This is a useful thread, even with the expected heat.

I'm planning on picking a Playbook up in the next week or two:
- I don't want to spend much money, I just need to play some videos
- I have a Blackberry Curve and like the idea of being able to use it as an input device
- I prefer the 7'' form factor - I travel a lot and want something light as an option between my Blackberry and my Lenovo X-series Thinkpad

I can see myself moving over to Apple in the next 2 years or so (probably excluding laptop), but in the meantime I think the Playbook makes more sense to me. Especially given the pricepoint, which in the UK puts it at just over 50% of the entry level iPad 2.

Those are the best reasons to make a purchase, for reasons that make sense to you. Good luck. ^^

BlackBerry Playbook
 

I have to weigh in on this. If you have a blackberry phone the playbook is fantastic. It lets you extend the functionality almost exponentially.
If you don't have a bb phone, it is still a great device. Stable, multitask capable, high res screen, flash support and since 2.0 it has a pretty nice email client (I use it for yahoo and gmail). I have stopped taking my laptop on trips now that I have the BB playbook. I can get 9 hours of battery life (watching movies in-flight and the occasional game). The form factor, even with the otterbox case, is pocketable in most of my jackets.

If you are looking for an ipad alternative, do take a look at the playbook.
The downside is the lack of apps. There are some pretty nice ones, but less than 1/10 of 1% of those for the apple products.

Welcome to FT.

Another nice thing is that the Blackberry Desktop Software for MAC is available for free. So you can easily synch data between a MAC and the Blackberry Playbook.

The PlayBook IS running BB10 software already. (QNX)

They are putting this software on the newer phone models which they are calling BB10.

I've just bitten the bullet and bought the 64GB version because it was the same price as the 16GB version at Currys/PCWorld. This fact surprised the sales assistant who then dragged me off with the purchase to the manager to check that the price really was £129 given that the 32GB one was £149. Everything works flawlessly so far and I've linked it to my Berry via the bridge. It downloaded the latest software version when booted up and I'm loading it with apps as we speak. ^

Can't speak on travel aps. Personally, I wouldn't jailbreak the BB os, if that's your bend, I'd look at another of the Andoid tablets.


I picked up a 32gb when the first holiday price-drop hit, then they dumped them, and missed out on a 64gb. I prefer the 7" tablet for some things that a 10" tablet is too big for, yet when the iPad Mini comes out, I'm really tempted to get one (mainly for the iTunes ecosystem). Yet the Playbook has been a great device, for what I used it for (content consumption).

Been enjoying my BB PB since it's inception.

Love the form factor.

It's a solid little device now that they've updated the OS.

Hello all. Long time lurker but only joined and posting since today.
I decided to weigh in on the Playbook question to give you my perspective as both, an Ipad and Playbook user on regular and frequent (20 to 25 days per month) travel around the world.
They are both similar and different in many respects.
I am a blackberry user and the Playbook integrates seamlessly via its bridge application.
This will not only provide access to all your blackberry phone content; including docs, email, messaging, etc but also with a bridge browser which does not use regular cell tower data when you are abroad, but RIM pipeline data. This is specially useful for me as a frequent traveller (I am airline crew) and lets me use internet browsing while on the go for free.
I carry a Tmobile Blackberry 9900 as a personal phone which works on UMA when I am in hotels abroad; and the playbook allows me to do quick check on all my messaging or light browsing when I am moving around. I also carry a work Blckberry 9900; so I always have one phone to draw bridge data from and always free for me or my company.
The Playbook also has a great HDMI interface so I can link it to any HD TV in my hotel room to watch a movie I might have loaded; or to stream my TV from home from my slingbox. I also use Citrix receiver over the bridge browser to access my home or work desktop; which is a real plus for me.
It is definitely a super versatile unit for work once you know how to use it, and use it well. Like I said, I have an Ipad 3 too, and I love the many apps and stuff I can do with it; specially the quality for Skype video calls, eyc; but there are clear differences in productivity and the cost that I can get that level of productivity while on the go abroad.
Also, there are ways to "sideload" Android apps in the playbook that do not require "rooting" . A Playbook coupled with a Blackberry 3 or 4G is a terrific tool; and given its price, size, and excellent available blackberry case with bluetooth keyboard, it is really a bargain. I wish that the opinions voiced on equipment were less biased on the brnds people like; and more objective on the equipment that people actualy own and operate.

I've reserved my 64gb for collection tomorrow. At £129 if my 2 year old destroys it I'm not going to get upset.

Is there a decent Skype knock off, oanyone know?

There is a suggestion here

that you use https://imo.im and that apparently works, although I've not tried it myself, I have a Three phone that I use for Skype so I can use that anywhere there is a signal without any data charges.

Welcome to FT!