RIM revealed its first major update to QNX-based PlayBook platform, one that will bring a host of much-missed features, as well as Android app compatibility, when it releases in late February. In the meanwhile, RIM released an update to its BlackBerry 7 smartphone operating system – BlackBerry 7.1, with a host of new features.
The update to the QNX platform will be called PlayBook 2.0 software, which brings such features as native address book, calendar and email functions (which previously had to be accessed via BlackBerry smartphones), as well as the Android App Player – an environment that will support Android apps. Also part of the PlayBook 2.0 update, is the inclusion of a video store, allowing users to purchase or rent films and television shows. Lastly, the update also brought a new controller interface, allowing users to control their PlayBook tablet remotely/wirelessly, via their BlackBerry smartphones.
The first QNX-based smartphone, which will take advantage of all the new QNX-attributes, most especially Android app compatibility, is expected to arrive by late 2012. In the meanwhile, the update made to BlackBerry 7 OS is not insignificant, boasting of such new features as mobile hotspot functionality for up to five devices simultaneously, Wi-Fi calls made independently of a user’s BlackBerry plan, BlackBerry NFC Tag for easy pairing and other forms of multimedia exchange, Universal Search with autosuggestions, and a FM radio app. Also featuring with the new update are new apps, such as BlackBerry Messenger 6.1, BlackBerry Traffic, BlackBerry Maps and BlackBerry Travel.
For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 update, refer to the relevant BlackBerry page.
