Will Robertson's Blog

Back before the PlayBook launched to the public, Polar Mobile issued a press release in support of the PlayBook and estimating they would release at least 100 apps be the end of the year. When I checked App World tonight I spotted what looks like the first one to be released: CFL Mobile.

Though I am not a huge CFL fan, I downloaded the app to check out Polar’s work. I am pleased to say, this app does not disappoint. It comes loaded with some great features, a lot of content feeds that will stay updated, and some neat social media integration.

If this app is any indication of the other apps Polar Mobile is readying for the PlayBook, this is great news. I hope are bringing some of their more business focused customers to the platform, such as Bloomberg BusinessWeek and Canadian Business.

You can download CFL Mobile on AppWorld and check out below for some screenshots from the app:

Main View of Articles

Article View

Viewing Curated Tweets (Players, Media, etc)

Swipe Down Menu to Switch Sections

About App

CrackBerry Kevin recently wrote a post in which he explained his theory that RIM is holding off incremental updates for the PlayBook’s operating system for a major relaunch. I had recently been thinking the same thing, and can see the rationale behind RIM deciding to do so.

Why relaunch the PlayBook?

Even though I personally think the device is fantastic, the critical reception and public perception seems to be leaning the other way. Negative reviews and the doom-and-gloom stories about RIM in the news have painted the PlayBook in a bad light. RIM has not released recent sales figures, though the last publicly stated figures failed to impress analysts and app developers. So what to do? RIM had previously stated they would deliver a “steady cadence” of updates to the PlayBook OS, and they have indeed updated it a number of times since launch, but these updates have been smaller than customers were expecting. For the most part these were mostly just maintenance updates. Slowly introducing improvements to the PlayBook would be a quicker way to appease current PlayBook owners, but it might not make a big enough splash to change the public and market perception.

By combining the features that RIM had planned to add over the summer into one large update with a corresponding version number bump (will they go as big as 2.0? I think 1.5 is more likely…) the update will be buzz worthy to get mainstream press attention and improve the reputation of the device. RIM can use the large update to justify a media event to further increase the impact of it.

So what can we expect?

There are a few obvious features that should be expected:
– Android App Player
– Native PIM (Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memopad)
– Native BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and integration with Video Chat
– Improvements to BlackBerry Bridge (calls, text messages, and BBM Groups on PlayBook and speed/stability improvements)

Then there are a few other things that I hope are also included:
– Microsoft Office developed by Microsoft
– Twitter app (based on the new HTML5 mobile version?)
– System-wide autocorrect/spell check and consistent copy & paste across all apps

This update may coincide with some hardware releases:
– PlayBook 4G, a device nearly identical to the current PlayBook but with cellular connectivity
– Bluetooth wireless keyboard with trackpad for PlayBook
– Wifi media streaming device

A major update to the PlayBook can be twisted into a “relaunch” of the device. This update will have the features that it was criticized for lacking and improve on some things that people reacted negatively to (such as system-wide spelling/auto-correct). This update will also shift the PlayBook to being seen as a standalone product rather than more of an addon to the BlackBerry smartphones. The PlayBook will be a viable option for anyone, and an even sweeter option for BlackBerry users thanks to Bridge.

Tech pundits will probably call this update “how the PlayBook should have been at launch” and while that will not be a glowing endorsement it will still be enough to correct the perception problem the PlayBook faces. I think this perception will be an important thing to improve before RIM goes to launch the first phone based on the same QNX operating system at the beginning of 2012, if the phone is to launch with a clean slate.

RIM has been teasing a Bluetooth Keyboard for the BlackBerry PlayBook since before the PlayBook was even released. The most frequent sighting being in videos of Mobile Innovation’s solution for Police Cars that features a PlayBook loaded with custom apps that syncs to an officer’s BlackBerry. Their setup also includes a Bluetooth Keyboard designed specifically for the PlayBook by RIM.

The BlackBerry for Business Blog recented posted a video of this setup which gives a great visual on what I assume is the most current version of the keyboard. I can not wait for this keyboard to be released, and rumors indicate we may get a mid-September release of it.

This version comes complete with arrow keys, a trackpad, a tab key, symbol key, and shift key (labelled like the BlackBerry’s normal shift key). It also looks to be the exact same size as the PlayBook (width and height, not sure about depth..) so it should be very easy to carry when on the go.

The inclusion of a trackpad means this will be a great solution when wanting to use the PlayBook like a netbook or when connected to a monitor or HDTV.

It started with a tweet and ended with a brand new BlackBerry smartphone with my name on it. RIM is hosting a party in Toronto tonight to announce and demonstrate the next wave of BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS7. In addition to the already announced Bold 9900, RIM will be demoing the Torch 2 and the all-touch Torch.

On Twitter RIM held a contest for invites to the event #BB7FanNight. As a fan of all things BlackBerry, it seemed appropriate to enter. While up at the cottage this past weekend I got a ding on my BlackBerry. Thinking nothing of it I went for a swim before bothering to check it. When I finally did wake my phone up I was greeted with a great surprise: RIM loved my entry and has invited me to #BB7FanNight. To add even more excitement, this invite came with a second surprise, my choice of a new BlackBerry 7 smartphone.

Winning a new BlackBerry is a huge break for me, and also comes with a bit of irony. Last year at the cottage I went in swimming with my iPhone in my pocket and have been using second-hand phones while I wait for my cell contract to finish. This year at the cottage I won a BlackBerry. My fortunes are certainly better than last year.

(Thanks to RIM and the team running the #BB7FanNight event – so glad I was selected)

The time has come: I am an eReading convert. The time has come that I would much rather have an eBook from Kobo than a printed book. Using Kobo’s eReading applications on my BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry smartphone I am able to always have my books with me wherever I go. Any downtime is now reading time.

I can start a book on my PlayBook, continue it on my BlackBerry when my PlayBook is not with me, and then switch back to my PlayBook latter, without hassle.

I started experimenting with eBooks a few years ago when Chris Anderson released his book “Free”. It was available through ShortCovers (Kobo’s original name before a rebranding) and I read the whole book with the ShortCovers iPhone app. Since then I continued to get an eBook every so often, but never actually read them. Reading on the iPad was not practical. Since getting my BlackBerry PlayBook everything changed: I have read seven books in the last three months. Quite the feat for me, someone who typically only gets through two to three books a year.

So why did the PlayBook make eReading work for me? I think a combination of the PlayBook’s size (bigger than a phone, smaller than an iPad), light weight, and always being with me made it the perfect eReader for me. At roughly the same size as a paperback book, the PlayBook is small enough for me bring to and from work, and read on the bus.

Now all I need is Kobo to update their PlayBook and BlackBerry apps with annotations and their Reading Life stats, awards, and social sharing. Hopefully updates are on the way to App World.