Notably, the RIM device does not support 3G communications. Instead, the PlayBook is designed to link seamlessly to a BlackBerry using Bluetooth and then use the BlackBerry as its path to 3G and eventually 4G. This allows RIM to escape a host of problems that plague the iPad, which is still stuck with AT&T as its 3G carrier in the US. It also allows the PlayBook to work anywhere there’s 3G of any sort, regardless of carrier, as long as the user’s BlackBerry can access it.
At this point, the Bluetooth connection to reach a 3G network seems to be unique to BlackBerrys. The company has not said that it would allow the use of other smartphones for this, although it would seem that portable Wi-Fi hot spots would also provide a path to 3G.
But of course, all of this is no guarantee of success. The PlayBook runs QNX, an operating system that’s totally unlike the BlackBerry OS, and as a result won’t run any of the dozens of applications in the BlackBerry app store. On the other hand, QNX is an open-source operating system, so there’s plenty of reason to believe that application development will take place. The real question then becomes, how much and how soon?
One area that’s already hurting BlackBerry sales is the skimpy selection of applications available from RIM. This is offset, to some extent, because you don’t need to get your apps there; anyone can write an application for a BlackBerry and send it directly. You aren’t restricted to what’s in the app store as you are with Apple. But it still remains to be seen if there will be a robust applications market for the PlayBook.
The other major factor is price. If the PlayBook is about the same price as the iPad and the Android tablets, it will probably sell. If it’s slightly cheaper, which it should be since it doesn’t include a 3G radio, sales will be better. But if RIM prices it too high, the PlayBook will die right there in the BlackBerry store. There’s too much competition right now to hit the market with a high-priced option—unless your name is “Apple.” And by design, the PlayBook is no Apple device, and that’s a good thing, as long as it’s not priced as if it were.
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The PlayBook looks like it could be the ideal companion tablet for the millions of corporate Blackberry users tired of iPad envy. With built-in tethering and BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) compatibility, IT won't have the same reservations they have about the iPad (even though there are secure iPad deployment options), plus RIM is probably already on the company approved vendor list.
No doubt the PlayBook will do a good job with email and the browser will work well for browsing, but with the 7" HD display, business users will also want access to all their business apps or even their full Windows 7 work environment. One way to enable that will be the Citrix Receiver for PlayBook, just as 100 million users use Citrix everyday to get virtual apps and desktops delivered to their PC, Mac, thin client or smartphone. The highly regarded Receiver for iPad for example is now one of the top app store business downloads and is used by professionals everywhere to be more productive without the chore of lugging a laptop.
Many reviewers point to the hundreds of thousands of apps available for iOS compared to the few for Playbook's QNX, however when it comes to business apps the difference is not huge especially given that Receiver makes thousands of windows & web business apps available for both platforms. However the PlayBook will need to compete on the merits of usability, speed, battery life and other areas where the iPad excels.
The planned Citrix Receiver for PlayBook will provide a great user experience while making all the company virtual apps and desktops available on-demand anywhere. Windows apps and desktops can run securely on company servers (or the cloud) and the User Interface is delivered to the remote tablet display using the optimised HDX protocol. Gestures and keystrokes are sent securely to the servers and the user gets an experience as if the Windows desktop is running locally on the tablet. PlayBook users will get the freedom to get work done from anywhere with access to any business app they need.
Chris Fleck, vice president of Community and Solutions Development at Citrix