Introducing the BlackBerry PlayBook

Checking your emails and editing documents on-the-go are what Blackberry smartphones are made for. Yet, unlike rival smartphones including the iPhone 4 and HTC Incredible S, BlackBerry’s haven’t always been known for multimedia and mobile internet.

But now all that has changed with the BlackBerry’s first tablet PC - the PlayBook - which combines all that’s great about BlackBerry mobile phones and smartphones with the cutting edge features of tablet PCs.

Compare BlackBerry PlayBook deals.

BlackBerry PlayBook: An overview

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a sexy tablet that combines a high resolution 7in touchscreen with top-notch multimedia functions, in a body that’s just 10mm thick and weighs only 425g.

Although PlayBook can’t make telephone calls like a standard Blackberry smartphone, its 3G mobile internet connection means you can make web-based voice and video calls over services such as Skype.

The BlackBerry PlayBook’s key features are:

• A 7in touchscreen
• 3G mobile internet connection
• Video and music playback
• Downloadable apps.

BlackBerry Tablet OS

The PlayBook runs on a specially design operating system (OS) - the BlackBerry Tablet OS - and not a repurposed OS originally designed for use on smartphones, something that many rival tablets do.

Its OS offers the full mobile internet experience, so you won’t have to compromise when browsing websites such as Facebook and YouTube because you’ll see the same version you would on your PC - not a stripped down mobile version without all the features.

The OS also boasts smooth and fluid motion when you scroll up, down and around pages, while ensuring that pages remain crisp when you zoom in and out.

Content is organised in much the same way as on a smartphone, with apps pinned to PlayBook’s homescreen and icons for your web browser, calendar, video player, picture gallery and so on all easily accessible.

With PlayBook you can surf the internet at lightning speed wherever you are, because the tablet supports both wi-fi and 3G connections.

The built-in browser will also show videos and games embedded into webpages - something the iPad 2 doesn’t do - because it supports Flash technology.

PlayBook’s Bluetooth connection also means you can wirelessly stream content to other compatible gadgets, such as music to a Bluetooth stereo or pictures to your mobile phone.

PlayBook apps

Apps on the PlayBook generally work well, but those designed only to run on the tablet - rather than on BlackBerry smartphones as well - have received some bad press. Don’t let that put you off though because the app store gets better with each day that passes.

If you’re into gaming the Need for Speed: Undercover is a great PlayBook app to try because it looks fantastic and lets you tilt the tablet from side-to-side to control the cars.

Other cool PlayBook apps include:

• Localipedia - Provides you with location-based information about a whole world of topics
• Bonk - Move an on-screen man left and right to help him catch pineapples and flowers
• Morse_It - Transforms text and emails into morse code.

Connecting PlayBook with your BlackBerry smartphone

Although you don’t need to own a BlackBerry smartphone to use the PlayBook, you’ll only get access to the tablet’s full range of benefits when you connect it to a BlackBerry smartphone.

For example, PlayBook lets you wirelessly connect to your Blackberry smartphone for live access to your emails, calendar, address book, task list and BlackBerry Messenger.

Splash out on BlackBerry Enterprise Server software (an added extra) and you’ll also receive “seamless pairing for a secure window into your BlackBerry smartphone” and secure corporate data access.

Compare BlackBerry PlayBook deals.

Galaxy S3(blue) £0.00	300 min Unlimited texts	£32.00
Galaxy S2(black) £0.00	100 min Unlimited texts	£18.50
Galaxy S3(white) £0.00	300 min Unlimited texts	£32.00

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