BlackBerry PlayBook

BlackBerry PlayBook
DeveloperBlackBerry Limited (Research In Motion)
ManufacturerQuanta Computer
(contract manufacturer)
TypeMini-tablet computer, media player
Release dateApril 19, 2011
Operating systemBlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX)
CPU1 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 (Cortex-A9 dual-core)
Memory1 GB RAM
Storage16, 32, 64 GB Flash
Display7 in (180 mm) LCD display
1024×600 px (WSVGA)
16:9 aspect ratio
(1080p HDMI output)
GraphicsPowerVR SGX540
SoundStereo microphones, loudspeakers
InputCapacitive 4-point multi-touch touchscreen
GPS
3-axis accelerometer-gyroscope
Magnetometer
Camera1080p HD video: 5 MP rear, 3 MP front
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 3.1
Micro-USB
Micro-HDMI
Power20 Wh (5.4 Ah, 3.7 V)
Online services7digital, BlackBerry App World, Rovi Video Store
Dimensions194 mm (7.6 in) H
130 mm (5.1 in) W
9.7 mm (0.38 in) D
Mass425 grams (0.937 lb)
Websiteca.blackberry.com/playbook-tablet
BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE
DeveloperBlackBerry Limited
ManufacturerQuanta Computer
(on contract)
TypeTablet, media player
Release dateAugust 9, 2012
Operating systemBlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX)
CPU1.5 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 (Cortex-A9 dual-core)
Memory1 GB RAM
Storage32 GB Flash
Display7 in (180 mm) LCD display
1024×600 px (WSVGA)
16:9 aspect ratio
(1080p HDMI output)
GraphicsPowerVR SGX540
SoundStereo microphones, loudspeakers
InputCapacitive 4-point multi-touch touchscreen
GPS
3-axis accelerometer-gyroscope
Magnetometer
Camera1080p HD video: 5 MP rear, 3 MP front
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
4G LTE (700, 1700 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ (800, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Bluetooth 3.1
Micro-USB
Micro-HDMI
(NFC installed but deactivated)
Power17.76 Wh (4.8 Ah, 3.7 V)
Online services7digital, BlackBerry App World, Rovi Video Store
Dimensions194 mm (7.6 in) H
130 mm (5.1 in) W
9.7 mm (0.38 in) D
Mass405 grams (0.893 lb)
Websiteblackberry.com/playbook-tablet

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a mini tablet computer that was developed by BlackBerry. It was manufactured by Quanta Computer, an original design manufacturer (ODM).[1][2] It was first released for sale on April 19, 2011, in Canada and the United States.

The PlayBook was the first device to run BlackBerry Tablet OS, based on QNX Neutrino, and run apps developed using Adobe AIR.[3] It was later announced that the BlackBerry Tablet OS would be merged with the existing BlackBerry OS to produce a new operating system, BlackBerry 10, that would be used universally across BlackBerry's product line. A second major revision to the BlackBerry PlayBook OS was released in February 2012.[4] The PlayBook also supported Android OS applications, allowing them to be sold and installed through the BlackBerry App World store.[5]

Early reviews were mixed, saying that the hardware was good, but several features were missing. Shipments totaled about 500,000 units in the first quarter of sales, and 200,000 the following quarter.[6] Many of the 700,000 units shipped to retailers allegedly remained on the shelves for months, prompting BlackBerry to introduce dramatic price reductions in November 2011 to increase sales.[7] Sales rebounded following the price cuts,[8] with BlackBerry shipping about 2.5 million BlackBerry PlayBooks by June 1, 2013. At the end of that month, the CEO announced the platform would not be further developed.

  1. ^ "The Amazon tablet will look like a PlayBook - because it basically is". Engadget. Archived from the original on March 14, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  2. ^ BlackBerry maker unveils PlayBook tablet, September 27, 2010, Reuters
  3. ^ "RIM Unveils The BlackBerry PlayBook" (Press release). Research In Motion. September 27, 2010.
  4. ^ "An Update on BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0". Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  5. ^ Chris Davies, "RIM PlayBook Android app limits detailed disappointingly", SlashGear, September 28, 2011
  6. ^ Gohring, Nancy. "RIM's PlayBook Shipments Drop in Half". Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "RIM PlayBook Price Slashed – MarketWatch Video". Marketwatch.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  8. ^ "PlayBook buyers line up as prices slashed for RIM's tablet computer". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2011.