Check out the this video preview of the BlackBerry PlayBook. See the specs after the jump…
Key features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook include:
• 7” LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
• BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
• 1 GHz dual-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
• Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
• Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
• HDMI video output
• Wi-Fi – 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
• Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL, Java
• Ultra thin and portable:
o Measures 5.1”x7.6”x0.4” (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
o Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
• Additional features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook will be shared on or before the date this product is launched in retail outlets.
• RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.
Color me impressed. I think I like the size, know I like the name and, from a layman’s perspective, I like the specs. If I understand the news, its not likely to be available for another 4 or 5 months (1Q, 2011?), which will give rivals time to announce even greater specs, but from a usability sense, it sure looks good to me. As soon as the first Kindle was released and I started using it, I was pining for a device that would talk to my Blackberry and allow me to use the Blackberry keyboard to input text and get the benefit of the larger and better screen. I also understand the Playbook will not be carrier reliant, so anyone with a Blackberry can buy and use one. Haven’t seen or heard anything on battery life yet. QNX seems like as big a deal as the techies have been making of it. And it also looks like RIM is taking major steps to open up and streamline App Development. Personally, I don’t much care to have a choice of a skellion designer apps aimed at all manner of things, markets, tastes, but I hope these developments will allow the working toolbox of everyday “utilitarian” apps to run smoother and be updated more easily and frequently. I also like the positive atmosphere surrounding the announcements — genuine excitement without all of the trash-talking and prognosticating that every other smart device makers is toast. There’s room enough for rivals, and in a healthy market they push each other to deliver more to the customers. There were a few mild and heavily veiled, oblique references to competitors, but the presentation was one of a company focused on the needs and feedback from a large and loyal customer base, with the right touch of proselytizing zeal for growth.
For me, no SD Card slot is a deal breaker.
wow I’m shocked , I like the size , and finally a device that would talk to my Blackberry and allow me to use the Blackberry keyboard , it sure looks good to me
I would hope Blackberry has provided a way to input text other than using a separate Blackberry keyboard. It would be difficult to set the Playbook down to pick up my Blackberry phone and type the text.
So far I’ve not seen any demo (or specs) that suggest there’s an on-screen virtual keyboard, nor have I seen any indicator of stylus input capabilities.