One of the many new features in OS 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook is the ability to control the PlayBook from your BlackBerry smartphone. The feature is part of the latest version of the Bridge app that got an update last night.
While it may not be a feature that is used every day I can see two big benefits with it. Clearly for business presentations it will allow the user to control the PlayBook remotely therefore letting he/she free to move around the room.
Secondly, and where I will use it is just plugging the PlayBook into the TV via HDMI. I can now sit back on the sofa and have full PlayBook control without having to worry about a long cable.
You can see a quick demo of the app in action below.
Samsung Electronics today announced two new additions to its Galaxy smartphone range; both the Galaxy Ace 2 and the Galaxy Mini 2 which will be available in UK from April. Building on the success of their predecessors, the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 are ideal for people that enjoy an active lifestyle who want a handset that’s both stylish and affordable but is also packed full of great features.
The below highlights the new video chat features in PlayBook OS 2.0 as brought to us by RIM Product Manager Vivek Gupta over on the BlackBerry Blog.
Now that the upgrade to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet – BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – is here, I wanted to give you a sneak preview of some of the great new features that are available in the updated Video Chat! We think you’ll agree, whether for work or play, it’s an easy and fun way to connect with people.
Simply put, Video Chat on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet allows you to make and take video calls with your friends, family, and colleagues who also have a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. (Note: Both users of the Video Chat feature must be connected to the Internet for a chat to be enabled.) With just one click, you’ll be able to have virtual face-to-face conversations using the HD video cameras and stunning high-resolution screen on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
Research in Motion has popped a couple of new PlayBook commercials on their YouTube channel now that PlayBook OS 2.0 is available. The adverts concentrate on the remote control option and the social integration within the PlayBooks new messaging application.
Pretty much bang on the rumored 10AM UK time BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 is available to download. At 401MB I strongly suggest a WiFi connection and make sure your battery is charged.
The BlackBerry Bridge app was updated last night to version 2.0 bringing the remote control option to the OS. This update kind of confirmed we would see the PlayBook OS updated today.
If you have a PlayBook go get the update.
New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:
Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.
Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® BridgeT is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBMT, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® BalanceT allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App WorldT today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.
We will have a video of the new features later in the day.
The Tania is ZTE’s first offering to the Windows Phone table. Packing 7.5 Mango and with a 4.3 inch screen you would have thought that the Tania comes with a hefty price tag. Well you would be wrong. Here in the UK the ZTE Tania is priced at just under £200 which is amazing value for money.
For that money you still get a big, robust, well powered Smartphone. Where I do feel the Tania is let down is with its mere 4GB of internal storage. This is measly in this day and age. Combined with the disadvantage of not having a microSD this kinda sucks.
But remember, the ZTE Tania is half the price of some other high end Windows Phones.
You can see the unboxing video below and we will of course have a full review within the next couple of weeks.
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