Product Review: PlayBook, Good Multitasking but Less Applications

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet from RIM. (IST)

In July, Research in Motion (RIM) Ltd, the producer of BlackBerry, launched its tablet computer, PlayBook, in Indonesia. RIM aims to meet the large demand for tablet computers in the world markets, including in Indonesia.

PlayBook is the newest multimedia device for BlackBerry fans in Indonesia, reaching 2.63 million people last year. The product is the new competitor of Apple Inc's iPad.

Previously, BlackBerry users have been restricted by the limited screen space. PlayBook has a seven inch LCD with 1024 x 600 resolution touch screen technology.

In addition to its compatibility with BlackBerry, PlayBook is a fast, multitasking device, for browsing and communication.

IFT test-ran the the product, checking out its performance. Various applications were tried out simultaneously, including the browser, game (“Need For Speed”), video, BBMm and PDF files. The results, PlayBook has quick response for application shifts through the WSVGA quality- multi touch screen.

Users can also switch on the Bridge feature to connect PlayBook with a BlackBerry phone. Through Bluetooth connection, PlayBook can safely accesses data from a BlackBerry. Users can also use BBM chat, open e-mails and the usual features, such as the calendar, contacts, documents, as well as the task list.

The security of data transfer from BlackBerry to PlayBook is guaranteed. The PlayBook is the first tablet granted the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certificate by the US government.

Its business features include Corporate Internet Browsing, Adobe Reader and Enterprise VPN. Its slot audio, micro USB and micro HDMI facilities, on the other hand, makes it easy for users to listen to music, transfer data or connect PlayBook to a big screen television.

Presentation and entertainment features are supported by high screen resolution, comparable to the iPad. The screen can also be rotated up to 360 degrees.

The navigation facility helps users to access applications, drag the menu, pinch to zoom the screen, as well as take pictures through a five megapixel camera at the back, and a three megapixel camera in front.

Less Applications

Unfortunately, only a handful of developers supply applications for the product as seen from the few applications in the App World warehouse. PlayBook only provides Facebook, but not Twitter, Linkedln or even Yahoo Messenger.

Playbook also has restricted network access since it only allows WiFi. Hence, users can only connect to the internet at hotspot locations.

Despite its lateness in entering the Indonesian market compared to other vendors, RIM sees that the PlayBook will be welcomed in the country, considering the country's millions of BlackBerry users.

The Canada-based vendor faces tough competition with Apple's domination as well as the popularity of Samsung's Galaxi Tab. According to research from Strategy Analytics, the market share of PlayBook reached 3.3 percent in the second quarter this year, far below iPad's 61.3 percent and Google Android tablet's 30.1 percent.