6 Reasons To Avoid The BlackBerry PlayBook
The Fate of HP's Touchpad and the Shadow Over BlackBerry's PlayBook
Just recently, HP made the decisive move to discontinue its tablet and mobile initiatives. This occurred a mere six weeks after the Touchpad was released, and its market reception was underwhelming.
Reports quickly surfaced indicating that the WebOS operating system, powering the Touchpad, exhibited enhanced performance when running on a modified Apple iPad. Speculation arose that this demonstration significantly contributed to the decision to halt production.
The Challenges Facing WebOS
However, the core issue may have been WebOS itself. Without a robust ecosystem of applications, the tablet struggled to gain traction with consumers.
In retrospect, demand for a device primarily focused on web-based technologies proved limited.
A Similar Situation for the PlayBook
Currently, another tablet may be facing a similar fate, potentially accumulating dust on store shelves: the PlayBook.
BlackBerry’s tablet shares several characteristics with the Touchpad. However, the Touchpad offered a more comprehensive experience immediately after purchase.
Are you curious to learn more? Continue reading to discover a detailed comparison.
BlackBerry Tablet OS
Similar to the discontinued HP Touchpad, the BlackBerry PlayBook utilizes a unique operating system built upon the QNX Neutrino kernel. This signifies that, in contrast to the well-established Android and iOS platforms which have undergone extensive development and gained widespread adoption, the BlackBerry Tablet OS currently offers a limited selection of applications.
The availability of apps was notably deficient at the time of the PlayBook’s release. Several pre-installed applications were, in fact, merely web shortcuts directing users to mobile websites, exemplified by Twitter’s decision to not natively support the platform. However, third-party applications are still accessible.
Improvements are anticipated with the forthcoming Android Player launch in the fall, but even with this addition, an Android tablet remains a viable option for those seeking a broader app ecosystem.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a complete dismissal of the BlackBerry Tablet OS. It can function as a suitable platform for accessing the applications that are, unfortunately, unavailable.
Lack of Integrated Email and Calendar Functionality
The absence of a native email and calendar application remains an unresolved issue, and it should not be misrepresented as an intentional design choice. Users desiring access to their email and personal scheduling tools are required to utilize a Blackberry smartphone.
Furthermore, a connection between the smartphone and the PlayBook is necessary to facilitate this functionality.
The practicality of this setup is questionable. Since email is already accessible on the Blackberry device, the added complexity of pairing two devices to view and respond to messages on a larger touchscreen seems unnecessary.
Some have suggested this arrangement provides a security benefit – protecting sensitive company information if the PlayBook is lost or stolen. While this argument holds some merit, Blackberry has stated that native email and calendar support will be implemented in a future update.
This planned addition leads to the conclusion that the feature was simply not prioritized for the initial release.
Sprint Discontinues PlayBook 4G, Impacting Carrier Landscape
Sprint, a US-based mobile network operator, has ceased offering the 4G-enabled version of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Currently, no other wireless carriers have expressed interest in carrying the device.
Crackberry reports that Sprint attributes the decision to the PlayBook’s limited appeal among business users. The company believes the tablet simply failed to gain sufficient traction in the marketplace.
Sprint further explained their rationale, stating that the sheer number of tablets available creates customer uncertainty. This acknowledgement suggests a growing awareness among carriers regarding market dynamics.
This development presents a significant challenge for Research In Motion (RIM), particularly given the existing brand perception gap compared to the increasingly dominant iOS and Android platforms.
Carriers are likely responding to underwhelming reception, as evidenced by reviews featured on the PlayBook’s official website. The limited availability of applications is a key concern highlighted in these assessments.
The scarcity of apps, as indicated in the screenshot from the PlayBook website, appears to be a major contributing factor to the device’s struggles.
The Continued Presence of Flash Technology
The inclusion of Flash support might initially seem beneficial. However, a closer examination reveals this is not necessarily the case. Contemporary Flash is frequently employed as a vehicle for advertising, rather than serving as a core component of advanced web media.
Apple's decision to exclude Flash is, generally speaking, a positive development – even for individuals who do not utilize Apple products. This stance has motivated numerous online services to dedicate resources to emerging browser technologies, instead of continuing to update legacy Flash-based projects.
The Rise of HTML5
HTML5 represents the future of web development, and the PlayBook does offer compatibility with this standard. Nevertheless, users will likely still encounter intrusive Flash advertisements featuring animation and sound.
This preference may be subjective, but eliminating Flash from a primary computer and relying exclusively on HTML5 and Javascript would be ideal.
Consequently, it is undesirable to have Flash consuming battery power on a compact, mobile device.
The continued reliance on Flash detracts from the potential benefits of a modern, streamlined user experience.
A Premature Release
Demonstrating a lack of concern for consumer experience, the hurried release of a product before its completion is a questionable strategy. Research In Motion (RIM) was not the originator of this practice, but it proved particularly unwise given the competitive landscape.
Initial Deficiencies
As has been noted, core applications like native email and calendar were absent upon the initial launch. Certain pre-installed applications functioned merely as web browser shortcuts.
Early adopters of the PlayBook encountered a significant charging issue; the device would not recharge unless powered on. This presented a substantial problem if the battery was completely depleted.
Carrier Compatibility Concerns
Users on the AT&T network in the United States faced another hurdle. The carrier initially declined to support BlackBerry Bridge, the essential software for email access on the device.
This refusal stemmed from AT&T’s disinterest in allowing free tethering. It raises the question of whether RIM adequately addressed this potential conflict beforehand.
- BlackBerry Bridge was crucial for email functionality.
- AT&T’s stance hindered user experience.
- The tethering issue was a key point of contention.
These issues collectively contributed to a less-than-ideal launch experience for the PlayBook, highlighting the risks associated with releasing a product before it is fully prepared.
Cost Analysis
The BlackBerry PlayBook is offered at a price point of $499. This cost is for a device that is not fully developed, featuring 16GB of storage, and exhibiting inferior battery performance alongside a less refined operating system when contrasted with similarly priced alternatives.
Notably, Apple currently sells its 16GB iPad 2 for the same $499. Choosing the iPad provides immediate access to a vast library of thoroughly tested applications.
Price Comparison
The Android-based Samsung Galaxy Tab is available for approximately $300 with some searching. This makes the BlackBerry PlayBook a comparatively costly investment, especially considering the base model's price nears $500.
Therefore, the PlayBook represents a significant financial outlay for a device with demonstrable drawbacks in key areas.
Key takeaway: The price does not align with the PlayBook’s performance or the established ecosystem benefits offered by competitors.
Final Thoughts
The preceding points outline the specific factors influencing my personal decision against purchasing a BlackBerry PlayBook. Currently, I am also hesitant to invest in any tablet device, as the $500 price point represents a significant expenditure for functionality that falls short of a laptop while exceeding the portability of a smartphone.
Should a tablet align with your individual needs, a thorough evaluation of competing products is advisable, or perhaps delaying a purchase until further refinements are made to the BlackBerry PlayBook would be prudent.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you find the PlayBook appealing? Do you currently own an iPad or a tablet running the Android operating system? Is the investment in tablet technology justified? We invite you to share your opinions and experiences in the comments section below.
Image Sources: PlayBook Applications (Henk-Jan van der Klis), A Better Wait (Julian Ehrhardt)