Developer | BlackBerry Ltd |
---|---|
Manufacturer |
Quanta Computer contract manufacturer |
Type | Mini-tablet computer, media player |
Release date | April 19, 2011 |
Operating system | BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX) |
CPU | 1 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 (Cortex-A9 dual-core) |
Memory | 1 GB RAM |
Storage | 16, 32, 64 GB Flash |
Display | 7 in (180 mm) LCD display 1024×600 px (WSVGA) 16:9 aspect ratio (1080p HDMI output) |
Graphics | PowerVR SGX540 |
Sound | Stereo microphones, loudspeakers |
Input |
Capacitive 4-point multi-touch touchscreen GPS 3-axis accelerometer-gyroscope Magnetometer |
Camera | 1080p HD video: 5 MP rear, 3 MP front |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 3.1 Micro-USB Micro-HDMI |
Power | 20 Wh (5.4 Ah, 3.7 V) |
Online services | 7digital, BlackBerry App World, Rovi Video Store |
Dimensions | 194 mm (7.6 in) H 130 mm (5.1 in) W 9.7 mm (0.38 in) D |
Weight | 425 grams (0.937 lb) |
Website | ca |
Developer | BlackBerry |
---|---|
Manufacturer |
Quanta Computer (on contract) |
Type | Tablet, media player |
Release date | August 9, 2012 |
Operating system | BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX) |
CPU | 1.5 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 (Cortex-A9 dual-core) |
Memory | 1 GB RAM |
Storage | 32 GB Flash |
Display | 7 in (180 mm) LCD display 1024×600 px (WSVGA) 16:9 aspect ratio (1080p HDMI output) |
Graphics | PowerVR SGX540 |
Sound | Stereo microphones, loudspeakers |
Input |
Capacitive 4-point multi-touch touchscreen GPS 3-axis accelerometer-gyroscope Magnetometer |
Connectivity |
Wi-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) |
Power | 17.76 Wh (4.8 Ah, 3.7 V) |
Online services | 7digital, BlackBerry App World, Rovi Video Store |
Dimensions | 194 mm (7.6 in) H 130 mm (5.1 in) W 9.7 mm (0.38 in) D |
Weight | 405 grams (0.893 lb) |
Website | blackberry |
The BlackBerry PlayBook is a mini tablet computer developed by BlackBerry and made by Quanta Computer, an original design manufacturer (ODM) It was first released for sale on April 19, 2011, in Canada and the United States.
The PlayBook is the first device to run BlackBerry Tablet OS, based on QNX Neutrino, and runs apps developed using Adobe AIR. 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. The PlayBook also supports Android OS applications, allowing them to be sold and installed through the BlackBerry App World store.
Early reviews were mixed saying that although the hardware was good, several features were missing. Shipments totaled approximately 500,000 units during the first quarter of sales and 200,000 in the following quarter. 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. Sales rebounded following the price cuts, with BlackBerry shipping approximately 2.5 million BlackBerry PlayBooks by June 1, 2013.
Rumors about the forthcoming computer, nicknamed the 'BlackPad' in the press because of its expected similarity to Apple's competing iPad, had circulated for several months before the announcement.Research In Motion co-CEO Mike Lazaridis and Adobe Systems CTO Kevin Lynch staged the first public demonstration of the PlayBook on October 25, 2010, onstage at the opening-day keynote of the Adobe MAX 2010 conference.