BlackBerry launches PlayBook in City

The PlayBook, which will compete with the likes of Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, is a seven-inch tablet that runs on a new operating system built by QNX Software Systems — a recent RIM acquisition.

Priced at Rs 27,990 (for 16 GB memory), Rs 32,990 (32 GB) and 37,990 (64 GB), Playbook runs on 1GHz dual-core processor, has 1 GB RAM, supports HTML5 and full Adobe Flash 10.1.

While the PlayBook enables consumers to surf the web at high speed using WiFi or 3G mobile phone as a modem and enjoy all types of multimedia applications, for enterprise users it also syncs perfectly with their BlackBerry phone, pointed out RIM Head of India Product Management Advait Vaidya.

“Using a tool ‘BlackBerry Bridge’ a BlackBerry smartphone user can wirelessly and securely connect their BlackBerry phones to their PlayBook over Bluetooth. The secure connection allows the user to access email, address book calender, attached documents on the tablet’s bigger screen,” Vaidya said. Talking about data security in line with a company’s policy, he explained that the content thus accessed remains stored only in the BlackBerry handset and data gets wiped off from PlayBook when the connection is broken.

PlayBook also comes with premium multimedia features including dual high-definition cameras, fluid touch experience, HDMI port for playing high-definition videos with stereo sound on external displays like TV set.

While large number of application developers are developing apps for PlayBook, the device, the company said, will also support apps from Android. Sources said the next model of PlayBook will have a slot for mobile SIM card allowing users connect directly on the net.