RIM will soon release the new 2.0 OS for Playbook as a giant OTA (over the air) update later this February, likely in the MWC (Mobile World Congress) trade show; but only if the Canadian company sticks to its schedule. The major OS update adds calendar, contacts, email and support for Android apps. RIM promises that it will follow the original timetable and the OTA is coming very soon. The OS update will be listed as a 400Mb of free downloadable file.
RIM hopes that the update can allow its tablet to better compete with the iPad and a horde of Android-based tablets. Most notably, Playbook will get a comprehensive messaging system, including a unified inbox that combines many email accounts, social network messages and Microsoft exchange messages under a single platform. Users can also get a sophisticated form of contract list that tell them when they have last met a group of people. The update also allows tighter integration with Blackberry smartphones, such the ability to use Blackberry handheld as mouse or keyboard for playbook. Current users of playbook Tablet will also have the opportunity to install and run apps slightly modified Android apps which will be released in the Blackberry App World. It is unlikely that the 2.0 version will be able to install apps directly from the Android market.
The company confirmed that the upgrade is only software-based and there won’t be any hardware change in the near future. The 16GB version of the Playbook is available at a very competitive price of $199 and if you plan to purchase a Playbook, it is a good idea to wait until March and choose the one with the new OS already installed.
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