No BBM app for PlayBook soon, admits RIM
BlackBerry tablet OS 2.0 delayed too
RIM has delayed the release of the next major upgrade to its BlackBerry PlayBook's operating system - and won't be including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) at launch.
"We expect to deliver the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS to customers in February 2012," blogged David J Smith, RIM's PlayBook chief yesterday.
App developers were provided with a pre-release version of PlayBook OS 2.0 last week. The operating system is based on the real-time OS QNX, which RIM bought in April 2010.
While discussing PlayBook OS 2.0, Smith said: "We have decided to defer the inclusion of the BBM application to a subsequent BlackBerry PlayBook OS release."
PlayBook owners can use BBM today, but only by link a BlackBerry handset to the tablet, which then operates as a monitor for the smartphone. It's this clunky approach, plus the lack of a native email client, that many observers have blamed for the PlayBook's poor sales since its launch in May.
RIM recently slashed the PlayBook's price in a bid to get the tablet into the hands of more consumers. While they may not care overly about RIM's OS release schedule, the lack of BBM - a very popular app on BlackBerry handsets - is going to put many of them off. ®
COMMENTS
They really seem . . .
. . . keen for this thing to fail.
I got one...
for $270 Canadian and got free $30 sheild. For the price it is great. I am happy with the functionality, and I can wait for updates. Not a BB user so could care less about messenger. I got PC for email, so could care less about that as well. It is my first QNX device and I guess more of a toy than anything. But I would assume there are a lot of users who don't feel the same, as the 2.0 was supposed to be out shortly (according to crackberry forums) and I would say next year is not shortly.
This is something I REALLY wanted to buy...
...but the fact that RIM chose NOT to include e-mail & a calendar is so stupid, as to question whether or not BOTH RIM CEOs should still have their jobs.
What were they thinking? RIM made its business on messaging, and not to have this in a new product is sheer lunacy.
And then, to bring it out with one OS...then announce to the world that it will be getting a completely different OS in the future...SOMETIME...is asinine.
And don't get me started on how behind the curve RIM are with their handsets.
And now this? Good luck RIM, 'cause you're going to need it to stay in business after these bone-headed decisions...or the lack thereof.
"We expect to deliver the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS to customers in February 2012,"
They have customers for the PlayBook!
iBlame
iBlame poor sales on its stupid name and the fact it's not an iPhone.
