BlackBerry

[semiloose]

in getting this, will vodafone be getting this?

a data contract?

[dc1973]

Hi Semiloose

the current version of the playbook does not take a sim so no UK network will sell it with a contract. RIM will release a 4G version in the summer but as the UK does not have a 4G network yet it will be a while....

The Playbook has wifi and if you have a blackberry handset it will connect to the handset via Blackberry Bridge Software which will allow you to make calls send email and text and surf the web from the playbook using the GSM network.... i suspect that you will need a tethering bolt on along with your BIS contract (maybe a Voda Mod could confirm this)

hope this helps

[rover95]

Hi Guys,

I understand that text will not be available initially on the Playbook via a BlackBerry, but could come later via a RIM or third party app.

Hard to know about the tethering bolt on; we can browse the web now on our laptops via BlackBerry without any bolt on.

[daveastra]

i believe using the bridge browser (not normal browser and tethered) wont cost extra. worth to note that even if it doesnt cost extra you`ll be using more data so that could cost you more on your plan.

i`ll find out soon enough as i used the bridge browser a few times the other day on it, its a little slower than browsing on the phone, guessing due to phone data and then bluetoothing it across, but wasnt too bad.

totally loving the playbook right now, so much it can do that the ipad cant - yes that means flash which love it or hate it is everywhere.

developing for it ent too hard either, made a cool paperplane throwing game for it, gonna be doing a few other cool things soon too

as for calls on bridge as someone mentioned, that ent gonna happen, maybe sms will come soon, but its not the end of the world for me if it doesnt, BBM is there which is what i love

[Vampfy]

Daveastra - is there any need to insult the mods on this forum, or imply that the members dont help when they can? I actually liked your post until you added that ###### at the end. And yes, I know this will be censored, and I fully appreciate that, but as long as you see that your last two lines are utter ######.

[daveastra]

thats my signature, and with respect, there is a thread, over 8 pages long in which vodafone could not provide a clear and cositent answer on a service book related issue, after being promised `we`ll look into it` and multiple conflicting answers including poiting fingers at other companies, i feel my statement is accurate. even the mods contradicted themselves in the thread.

i appologise if it offended you, probably not as much as your post would offend others without the language filter in place though. swearing at someone you dont even know, and have no idea of the circumstances is totally pointless and unwarranted

[Vampfy]

I understand that, and in fairness my "swear" attempt was extremely mild by today's standards.
But to have a signature that claims, in essence, that every user of this forum doesnt read problems or help is a tad insulting to the people who are TRYING to assist members. I also happen to believe the forum moderators are quite intelligent, considering they helped me with some things which I (admittedly) tried to make difficult.

Back to topic..
The playbook - perhaps the first blackberry device I'd consider going for! Very snazzy looking, and nice specs too One question though, is this the device they were demonstrating the Android "emulator" on? If so then it certainly add's another tick to a list of reasons to get it

[daveastra]

well ive changed my signature now as i dont need random people i dont know swearing at me.

yes the playbook will have an android `app player` its not available yet, but they did do a demo of it at BBWorld last week, heres the utube vid for it

Android App Player for BlackBerry PlayBook

the specs of the Playbook are definitley some of the best out there, iv had mine for a week now, still finding new stuff every day on it, heres a few things i really like about it:

flash in browser - plays everything from bbc flash videos, iplayer and even flash music streaming sites.

slick ui - by far the nicest UI iv used, still needs a few refinements such as folders and a few other touches, but way ahead of otherUI`s

wifi access - you can sync via the desktop manager, or simply access its hard drive via your pc`s file explorer, so i can move files without having to hunt out a usb cable, heck the other day i sent stuff to it while it was being used in the other room!

hdmi out - 1080p hdmi out is a very nice touch, especially for videos and games

video chat - awesome clear crisp and lagless video chat, uses alot of battery but is great to use

BlackBerry Bridge - by far the most used stuff on my playbook, do bbm on ur playbook thru ur phone, or just send a email or check a task, its smooth to use. (side note, BBM on a 40" tv is waaaaay awesome)

it was free - ok, so BlackBerry sent me mine for free, but id be just as happy with it if id paid full whack for it

[daveastra]

heres a screencap for everyone, taken on the playbook using built in screencapture option, and no cables needed

[QyKo]

Im actually looking to get this playbook, totally fasinating in itself.
My mum wanted me to get her an iPad 2 on my vodafone account for her, i had to lol and tell her no chance.

+ When , or if, they ever get to adapt the QNX to the mobile phone range it will be revolutionary.
RIM is easily going in the right direction.

[QyKo]

I agreed with his signature when i first saw.
Vodafone have too many chiefs not enough indians , as the expression goes.

Elaborating on this , the employees - most of which do not have a clue about technology and are "trained" to Vodafones standards.

I was in the 1st line tech training and most of which was not needed and therefore had to expand my own knowledge.
The managers were worse.
Their attitudes were unbelievable.

This post will be deleted easily because i know how Vodafone works.

I wont flame them as i enjoyed my time and would love to work in a store to provide a service where people know exactly what they are getting into and forget about sales targets (which is the opposite of what VF want).

The mods on here have the ability to communicate with higher departments to get answers but most and i mean most of their replies are copy and paste besides the noticable amendments were they try to make it a personal reply.

WE THE COMMUNITY RUN THIS BOARD AND HELP EACH OTHER.

[rover95]

Daveastra,

Looking hard at getting a Playbook;
Question: how do you copy files, music, video etc from a microSD card in the BB to the PB?

[daveastra]

rover95 currently there isnt really a way to do this, you can get apps for the phone which allow its content to be read via a web browser so id imagine that way would/could work, however these apps normally arent free so i cant say for sure. there is a bridge file browser, which allows you to see the content of your phone on the playbook but its rather limited right now and only really works for docs. im sure this will improve over time, either way its not a negative in my mind because no other device can do it either lol. files can be synced thru desktop manager just like on your phone, or you can transfer via wifi, so its pretty easy to do.

[rover95]

Daveastra,

Thanks,
I was looking at this on CB but can’t of course try it out; due to an unfortunate lack of hardware, much whaling an gnashing of teeth…. :-)

http://forums.crackberry.com/f222/rim-explains-blackberry-playbook-file-system-layout-602460/

[daveastra]

currently there isnt a files type app for the playbook like there is on blackberry phones, kinda hoping that comes soon as i use it alot on my phone. i should also add all these posts have been made from my playbook

[rover95]

Daveastra, I hope so too,
I'd like a Windows Explorer type of App; I don't like to be "protected" from the file system. Nice...I hope to join you as a PlayBook user soon...

[rover95]

Daveastra,

I’m thinking of going to OS 6.0.0.546; I have the download. If I do this will BlackBerry Bridge & tether work if I try to set up a PB with a non Vodafone UK OS?

[daveastra]

honest answer i dont know. i currently have an AT+T torch (didnt want to wait the month extra for uk release) running .534 and havent had any issues so i cant see as would make a shade of difference other than the usual blah blah blah about unoffical carrier OS losing your vodafone warranty. again this is something i dont need to consider so maybe im luckier in that respect.

also just wanted to add, iv been using the bridge browser, and im not seeing any extra data charges in my account, i can see the extra data where its used, but no charges, so im very happy about that

[rover95]

Thanks.....
Nice re the data charges.....

[daveastra]

just incase anyones wondering, bridge still works awesomely with .570 for torch