Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 qeries

gino_76ph

Hi there!

I am planning to buy a tablet to use the internet, check apps for news/weather/shopping/restos, play the latest games, Youtube, make notes, watch my movies whilst on my holiday.

I'm looking at the Playbook and with the new 2.0 OS is it worth it? I have some serious queries & concerns if the Playbook is worth the plunge and worth the money.

1. Can it send any files via bluetooth to any bluetooth-enabled device?
2. Does it wake-up/start-up really quick like the iPad or those new Android 4.0 tablets?
3. Can it play on its own .avi & .mkv files without the use of an app?
4. Can it auto-connect to a neafby wifi if available?
5. Can i now access/download a handful of Android apps like what i have heard? If yes is this via the App World or as a different folder or "main" app?
6. How many hours can it do if with just "minimal" use? (surfung the net, downloading an app whilst watching a movie or playing games)
7. Can it do multitasking like the iPad or an Android 4.0 tablet?
8. Can one easily access running apps and easily cancle/stop them?
9. Is there a notification bar (like Android) to access common settings, etc.

I believe these questions are really important in helping me decide what tab to choose.

Shall i stick to the tried-and-tested Android 4/4.1 tablet like the Nexus 7 et al or can the Playbook do all those ones i mentioned above?

Please advice.

Dreamnine

I don't know about the Bluetooth; I've never tried but I would guess yes..

2 Yes, it's very fast.

3 Yes.

4 Yes, wi-fi is as good as my iPod Touch in that regard.

5 The Android apps seem to appear on app world, but there is a separate Android player when you open them up on the PB...Not too sure as I don't really use them.

6 I can watch 2 movies (around 3hrs) and the battery on mine goes from 100 to about 55%. I find the battery to be pretty good but I don't use the PB very intensively.

7 Yes, you can output a movie via HDMI to your tv and play a game on the PB, things like that.

8 Yes, just swipe up to close an app.

9 Yes.

The advantage the PB has over other tablets is the construction (very good), stereo speakers which are loud and good for films, stereo mics, good cameras and HDMI out.

I wouldn't want a tablet that didn't have HDMI..and the 64GB PB is a real bargain.

Downsides are that the ecosystem just isn't as good as Android or iOS.

jayme1

I know the Playbook can do full multitasking perfectly, such as 1080p and full 3D game both running at the same time along with all the other apps.

Dreamnine

A great forum for the Playbook: http://forums.crackberry.com/blackberry-playbook-f222/

gino_76ph

Why can't the Playbook send files via bluetooth to any 3rd-party device? Even a Symbian phone can do the task to an Android phone and vice versa.

I'm aware .avi & .mkv file format support is a bit tricky. But again, if it's an "ordinary" (no Dolby Digital HD sound, etc.) file downloaded from say iTunes or a 3rd-party website would it generally play? Yes or No? (The PDF file i saw on the website does say AVI & MKV file for the Playbook OS is supported) And where do i access those files?

Can i drag n' drop files from my Mac to my Playbook with ease and with no help of a 1st-party or 3rd-party app or software?

Would the notifications bar be like Android wherein you can change settings, turn-off bluetooth, etc.?

And about the issue of Android apps the answer i got is a bit unclear. How and where exactly do i download Android apps? Is there a separate Android "player" app to click and then /browse/download apps & games like Google Play?

I need to have the confidence of owning a Playbook and be able to say "I can do that task with ease and with no problems".

Dreamnine

gino_76ph wrote: »

Why can't the Playbook send files via bluetooth to any 3rd-party device? Even a Symbian phone can do the task to an Android phone and vice versa.

I'm aware .avi & .mkv file format support is a bit tricky. But again, if it's an "ordinary" (no Dolby Digital HD sound, etc.) file downloaded from say iTunes or a 3rd-party website would it generally play? Yes or No? (The PDF file i saw on the website does say AVI & MKV file for the Playbook OS is supported) And where do i access those files?

Can i drag n' drop files from my Mac to my Playbook with ease and with no help of a 1st-party or 3rd-party app or software?

Would the notifications bar be like Android wherein you can change settings, turn-off bluetooth, etc.?

And about the issue of Android apps the answer i got is a bit unclear. How and where exactly do i download Android apps? Is there a separate Android "player" app to click and then /browse/download apps & games like Google Play?

I need to have the confidence of owning a Playbook and be able to say "I can do that task with ease and with no problems".

I don't know whether it can transfer files via bluetooth or not - maybe it can, I don't know and have no interest in checking.. I haven't used bluetooth in about 6 years.

Every mkv and avi file I have tried on my PB works. I just place them in the 'Video' folder and the PB automatically recognises them as videos.

If your Mac sees it as a mass usb device like any other then you should have no problem transferring files.

Android apps just appear on App world.

almillar

gino, why not try sending files over bluetooth with an iPhone or iPad (hint - you can't).
I've no experience with the Playbook so the answer is still unknown in this thread. See if you can have a play with one in Currys or Carphone Warehouse (still full price there!).
Multitasking - it does this far better than the iPad. iPad doesn't really multitask in the true sense of the word. Apps are allowed to do a very limited number of things in the background, like use GPS, or play sound, or sync, and that's it. Playbook (like webOS that it 'borrowed' from) has apps displayed beside each other that are allowed to run however they like.
Problem for me is the relatively low res screen, and potentially the size of the ecosystem, dependent on how good the Android environment in it is.

tonyh66

jayme1 wrote: »

I know the Playbook can do full multitasking perfectly, such as 1080p and full 3D game both running at the same time along with all the other apps.

multitasking? I always wonder why and how you can watch a movie and play a full 3D game simultaneously do you have more than 2 eyes and one brain?

Dreamnine

You can play a film via HDMI to a tv while running a 3D game on the Playbook.. with other apps open and running too.

The PB has multli-tasking

Figment

Dreamnine wrote: »

The PB has multli-tasking

It's a scientifically proven fact that men cannot multi-task!

tonyh66

Figment wrote: »

It's a scientifically proven fact that men cannot multi-task!

multitasking is a phallicy anyway, you cannot really do more than one thing at a time, you cannot edit a word doc and powerpoint doc simulataneously, you cannot play a game and watch a film simulataneously. You might have 3 or 4 apps open but you are only ever using 1.
Im a bloke BTW. :rotfl: