First Look At BlackBerry 10 Camera 3 Dec 2012 8:53 AM (12 years ago)
Within a matter of weeks, we’ll be seeing the official launch of BlackBerry 10 and here’s a first look at the features of the new BlackBerry 10 camera. It’s got a nifty feature that allows you to take multiple shots. You can then highlight faces and using a circular wheel, select the point where your subject is smiling. When completed, tap the check mark and you’ve got an improved photo. Here’s a video detailing the process.
PlayBook Update – Love/Hate Relationship…. 1 Oct 2011 12:56 PM (13 years ago)
First I must disclose that there is no doubt in my mind the PlayBook was rushed out by RIM. The idea a company known for email released a device with no native email and follows with “it will be coming in the summer” is nothing short of bizarre to me. And here we are in October, still with no built-in email and no word when that might arrive.
That said, I would still like to give the promised update as to what I think of the device because it does have good points and it had promise. I say had because at this point I think that RIM has dug the grave for what could have been a formidable contender in the tablet wars. More on that later….
The PlayBook’s 7” form factor is very comfortable. I certainly can’t throw it into my pocket, but it is easy to just drop it into a briefcase, bag or backpack ready to pull out when you need it. Since it is small the weight is minimal and my arms and wrists are not aching after using it for some time. I really don’t use the portrait orientation much, instead preferring to keep it in landscape for my usage. The keyboard is actually pretty comfortable to use and because it is small I am able to type pretty well with my thumbs. I can’t imagine typing as well on a larger 10”-11” device.
The PlayBook is excellent at browsing the Web. In what I consider to be a HUGE departure from BlackBerrys I have known the PlayBook’s browser is, dare I say it, an absolute pleasure to use. It is super fast, the UI is uncluttered and pleasant to look at and it renders most sites as they should be. Some websites load as mobile versions instead of full versions, but I think that is a problem caused by website authors, not the PB. I don’t know others with tablets to compare if that is a common issue or if it is unique to the PB, but I believe it to be the site code. The PlayBook also supports Flash video, if that is something that floats your boat.
The screen is clear and bright, with lots of contrast and that makes the PlayBook a super media player. When you install the bundled connection software the PlayBook looks like an external drive on your PC and you can connect via USB or WiFi. WiFi means that you don’t need a physical connection to copy files to and from your PlayBook.
RIM has done a pretty good job with the camera software, still and video. The PlayBook is light enough to hold for long periods of filming (size matters), and the screen lets you see what you are recording. One of the early software updates (there have been many) also included a video chat application, which turned out to be very easy to use and of very good quality.
Battery life isn’t as good as I had hoped as you won’t get much more than a day’s use out of the PlayBook before having to seek out an outlet. While I understand there is not as much room for a battery in a 7” device as there is in a 10” one, I did expect better from RIM since BlackBerrys have always been known for their superior power management features. Maybe the change to QNX is more difficult to control power. To be fair I do not run WiFi on my BB as the sole source of connection so I am sure that contributes to the battery life limitations too.
The Bridge. I have used it and find it acceptable. It is nice to get all my BB functions on the PB and the ability to access BES and BIS email on the tablet is nice. It is a bit cumbersome to have the BB at hand running the Bridge and connected to the PB just to access the BB Mail, but there is always web-based email to get to the BIS email and that is quite acceptable. The Bridge web experience is, at best, tedious. This may be because I am used to the blazing speed of the WiFi connection, but unless there is no other option I don’t envision using that browser option much.
Much has been made of the expected ability to run Android applications, but once again that is something users were eagerly anticipating and expecting to see during the summer and it didn’t happen. Well, it sort of almost happened. A leaked (beta?) version appeared in July and users were able to load it and get it working, but not without some fancy footwork. Forums started to light up with users posting their experiences, fixes, band-aids and the like along with listing which applications worked and which did not. Suddenly, an OS update was issued in late August, 1.0.7.2942, and the ability to use the leaked Android player was killed. I do understand that RIM was not happy having a leaked version that didn’t work completely and that was not what they wanted to represent what will be. RIM has to understand that early adopters are pretty tired of the promises and announcements only to be treading water and still waiting….
Many are whining about the lack of apps available, but that does not bother me. I suppose this is a very personal choice/need and I have never been one to load, test and discard application after application. I look for a few apps I have to have, news, weather, entertainment, office-type, etc and I am happy. I guess that if I spent hour after hour surfing and playing on the PB I would more than likely look for applications to try and maybe if I found different ones that gave me powers I didn’t have before I would spend more time using the PB, but I don’t. I still remind myself this was bought a s a toy to play with and I really have much more going on in life that restricts the time I can spend with the PB. And for me that has been fine.
I do plan to bring the PB on the annual trip to Cabo and perhaps I will find time to explore deeper than I have.
All in all I really like the hardware and I truly believe this is a solid device with what could have been a fantastic foot in the door for RIM if they shipped it with the capabilities any user could pick it up and actually use for media as well as email and PIM functions.
RIM was promising regular software updates, and up to July/August there were numerous ones being pumped out, but nothing since. Latest rumors indicate the BIG 2.0 update is to include the long absent native email, calendar and contacts as well as the long-awaited Android application introduction.
I hope the new update is not too little, too late, but I am afraid RIM has already doomed this device. Rushing a half-baked, not ready for prime time tablet was a really dumb move and I don’t know of anyone that can offer an explanation that makes sense. Perhaps they thought they would be able to slip it in and then follow up with important update in a short time and then the fiscal woes hit RIM, requiring layoffs and redistribution of manpower, but that just seems to be more of their management’s inability to manage and to understand the market.
They have allowed way too much time to pass without giving the needed functions and the reputation has already been cemented. If there is a chance they can rescue the brand and the device it will be a real uphill battle.
Verizon BlackBerry Torch 9850 Available Starting September 8th 6 Sep 2011 12:40 PM (13 years ago)
Verizon today confirmed the availability of the new BlackBerry Torch 9850 starting on September 8th at verizonwireless.com and in stores on September 15th. The BlackBerry Torch 9850 features a 3.7 inch high-resolution touchscreen display, trackpad navigation, 1.2Ghz processor, Global ready, 5 megapixel camera, 16GB microSD pre-installed and BlackBerry 7.
The BlackBerry Torch 9850 is priced at $199.99 with a new two-year agreement.
BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB Deal: $299 18 Aug 2011 9:10 AM (13 years ago)
If you are in the market for the BlackBerry PlayBook, today’s eBay daily deal has it for just $299. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen by far for the Playbook. It comes with free shipping and likely tax-free depending on your locale.
RIM Announces New BlackBerry 7 Phones 3 Aug 2011 1:41 PM (13 years ago)
RIM today announced plans to launch 5 new BlackBerry phones that will run the new BlackBerry 7 operating system. There are two new BlackBerry Bold models and three new BlackBerry Torch models.
BlackBerry Bold 9900
The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are the thinnest smartphones ever from RIM and of course feature a fully exposed front-facing QWERTY keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch 9810 will include the portrait slider, with full QWERTY keyboard. The Torch line will include the BlackBerry Torch 9850 and BlackBerry Torch 9860, featuring an all-touch design.
The phones will be available through various wireless carriers. AT&T has confirmed availability of the BlackBerry Torch 9810 for sometime this month. Later this year, the company will release the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and all touch BlackBerry Torch 9860.
The big highlight will be BlackBerry 7 OS. RIM promises the new operating system will feature the next generation BlackBerry browser offering a significantly faster experience. The OS is based off Liquid Graphics technology, which will working in tandem with the included dedicated high-performance graphics processor and ultra-fast processor. RIM expects these devices will offer a highly responsive touch interface and smooth graphics.
Overall, these phones when combined with the new BlackBerry 7 OS, should bring some much need excitement to the platform.
Unbox the BlackBerry PlayBook…. 7 May 2011 2:09 PM (13 years ago)
This will be my first post and it will be about the unboxing of my new BlackBerry PlayBook. I have never used a tablet so this is new territory for me.
The Package from Staples
The packaging is professional as you would expect it to be. Here are a few shots….
Not many accessories. Just a wall charger and a USB cord….Oh, and a neoprene sleeve that you can see in the photo above on the right…..
And here comes the boot-up….
Took a bit more than a minute, but hey, we get balloons to watch…..
WiFi setup was absolutely effortless (sorry about the reflections. I will catch on for the next pics)……
And a software update was next. About 280MB and was done in a flash….
First impressions:
- Very sturdy-feeling build. Has a quality feel
- Screen is absolutely beautiful. Crisp, clear with vibrant colors
- WiFi is incredibly fast
- Downloaded and installed the Bridge to my Tour. Easy
- Set up the BB Bridge to connect to my Tour (on BES). Easy, but browsing with the Bridge Browser is, as you might expect, s l o w
- Upgraded BB Desktop. Easy
- Logging on the BB App World a breeze
- Almost no apps available the first day, but there seem to be new ones going up in App World daily.
- BBM was recently added and is easy to use while Bridged
- Typing with the on-screen keyboard is actually easier than I expected
I purchased the PlayBook as a toy to play with. I had no intentions of pretending it is to make myself more efficient at work, but I did keep saying “why did I buy this?”. I had a two week period to return it with no questions and I am happy to say I let that expire. I find myself sitting in front of the TV with the PB, but I am finding I become so distracted I am not watching the television shows.
There is much to learn about this little device and while I may not be using it to its fullest potential I believe it has met my expectations…..It is a great toy. I fully expect to become more proficient and I also expect I will start using it at work.
I plan to post updates as time allows to let you know how the experience is progressing. I also have begun to put together a PlayBook Tips and Tricks guide which I hope to post in the PB Forum in a few days….
BlackBerry Torch 2 Specs, Renders 13 Jan 2011 2:04 PM (14 years ago)
It looks BGR has raided the PowerPoint presentations at RIM, this time providing us with a render of the BlackBerry Torch 2 along with specs. The most notable improvement is the processor bump to 1.2GHz. So, when is coming out. It’s looking like Q3 on AT&T Wireless. That’s a long time in mobile, a long time. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
- 1.2GHz processor
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
- Tri-band HSPA 14.4Mbps
- 3.2-inch VGA 640 x 480 capacitive display
- 8GB built-in memory
- 512MB RAM
- Bluetooth 2.1
- GPS
- NFC
- 5-megapixel camera with flash
- Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- 1300 mAh battery
- BlackBerry OS 6.1
- OpenGL ES
- 14.6mm thin
via BGR
BlackBerry Dakota Photos and Specs Leak 13 Jan 2011 6:34 AM (14 years ago)
There appears to be a new king of the hill when it comes to BlackBerry devices and that’s the BlackBerry Dakota. Photos have leaked out and it appears similar in many ways to the BlackBerry Bold. The BlackBerry Dakota will reportedly bring HD video recording, 3G Mobile Hotspot, magnetometer, NFC (Near Field Communications) and more.
Here are the specs:
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
- Tri-band UMTS
- 5 megapixel camera with HD video recording, flash, and image stabilization
- 4GB of built in storage, 768MB of RAM
- 2.8-inch VGA 640×480 capacitive screen
- WiFi b,g,n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies
- 3G mobile hotspot!
- MicroUSB port
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- 10.5mm thin
- Launches with BlackBerry OS 6.1
No word on pricing, but one could assume that AT&T will get this first.
via BGR
BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Coming To Sprint 4G 6 Jan 2011 9:47 AM (14 years ago)
Here at CES and the Playbook just got official on Sprint 4G. Unfortunately, we’re looking at a summer release, but at least on the books now. Full press release after the break.
New 4G Tablet to Deliver Unmatched Power and Web Performance – Available Exclusively from Sprint this Summer
Las Vegas, NV – CES 2011 – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced plans to launch a new BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet model featuring connectivity to the blazingly fast Sprint 4G network. The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook™ will be the first BlackBerry PlayBook model to include wide area wireless connectivity, featuring Sprint 4G to give customers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G1. This new 4G model is expected to be available from Sprint in the summer.
The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook is a professional-grade tablet that’s set to redefine the possibilities of mobile computing, giving users an ultra-portable design with industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and HD multimedia, as well as advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support. Together, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook and the Sprint 4G network will provide a high performance platform that will enable a mobile services revolution for both application developers and customers.
“RIM believes a significant portion of the tablet market will want a higher performing, multitasking, professional-grade tablet and that is why we chose to design the BlackBerry PlayBook for premium performance with a powerful dual-core processor and multitasking OS. Together with Sprint, we are now building on that performance advantage with 4G and providing an unparalleled mobile experience for users,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.
”We are excited to bring this powerful new product to our business customers and consumers who rely on Sprint for industry-leading devices as well as one of the best values in wireless,” said Steve Elfman, president of network operations and wholesale for Sprint. “This tablet is a great example of Sprint’s strong partnership with RIM in continuing to bring customers powerful devices to enhance their mobility. We are confident the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook from Sprint will be one of the most anticipated tablets in 2011.”
In addition to Wi-Fi® support, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook features a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the new BlackBerry® Tablet OS. The ultra portable, ultra thin tablet will offer an uncompromised, high-fidelity web experience with support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, Adobe® Mobile AIR® and HTML-5 enabling customers to enjoy all of the sites, games, media and richness of the full Internet, delivered at 4G speeds. Additional details and pricing will be released closer to launch.
Sprint 4G is currently available in 71 markets2 across the country, including Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and continues to build its 4G service for consumers and business users across the country. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.
For more information about the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook, visit www.blackberry.com/playbook or www.sprint.com/4Gplaybook.
BlackBerry Accessory, Cases Year End Sale | Save up to 70% 28 Dec 2010 10:43 AM (14 years ago)
It’s time for the everythingBerry Store’s year end clearance sale where you’ll find savings of up to 70% on select BlackBerry accessories and cases. Use our handy selection tool to select your BlackBerry device of preference and shop these limited time clearance sales. The sale ends at midnight on December 31st, so shop now to take advantage of this once a year savings.
