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    RIM Rolls PlayBook 2.1 Update, Improves BlackBerry Bridge, Data Security, And Android App Support

    Matt Burns

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    Matt is a Senior Editor at TechCrunch. Matt Burns is a family man first and attempts to be a writer second. Born and raised in the heart of the automotive world, only cars eclipse his love of gadgets. He previously wrote for Engadget and EngadgetHD before moving into the party house that is TechCrunch. He learned the retail side of... → Learn More

    Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
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    4gplaybook

    RIM is not done with the PlayBook. The company just announced a major update for its tablet. The software update will be available later today for the WiFi PlayBook and brings a host of significant improvements. With this update the tablet now sports SMS capabilities through BlackBerry Bridge, data encryption on personal accounts, and improved Android application support.

    This update brings an updated BlackBerry Bridge. It now allows the PlayBook to send, view and receive text messages when connected to a BlackBerry smartphone over Bluetooth. Along with this enhanced communication comes portrait support for email, calendar and contacts.

    Personal data can now be encrypted. This was previously only available for data on a corporate BES account.

    RIM also added significant enhanced Android application support. With 2.1 Android apps now support multi-window applications, camera support and in-app payments. If nothing else, these functions bring the PlayBook up to par with competitive Android tablets.

    Look for this update later today but only WiFi models need to apply.

    The BlackBerry PlayBook is currently available in WiFi and 4G options. The WiFi model comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavors start at $199 for the 16GB. The tablet launched with much fanfare in 2011, but it lacked key features until early this year. As it sits right now, the PlayBook is a capable tablet for the price, but it is aging very quickly thanks to the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD and, soon, the iPad mini.


    Crunchbase

    Company: Blackberry
    Website: us.blackberry.com
    Launch Date: 1984
    IPO: NASDAQ:BBRY

    BlackBerry (formerly Research in Motion) is a Canadian designer, manufacturer and marketer of wireless devices and solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. The company is best known as the developer of the BlackBerry smart phone. Blackberry technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. Blackberry was founded in 1984. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific....

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