Blackberry unveils PlayBook OS2 at CES 2011

Whilst Best Mobile Phones Pro has been unable to attend CES due to prior commitments, we’re monitoring every corner of the internet to make sure that you, our readers, are kept up to date with the latest goings on at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

Previous years have seen technology powerhouses such as Microsoft, Palm and Intel showcase the latest technologies and products they have to offer, and BlackBerry has chosen CES as their platform to finally get things back on track for the beleaguered lines of products they offer.

Whilst the PlayBook as a device has been a thorn in the side of a company that has predominantly focussed on personal messaging and communications devices in the past, the tablet device has received an overall positive welcome by technology enthusiasts and journalists across the world.

The QNX powered operating system is a dream to use, and if imitation is the best form of flattery, the team of webOS developers at Hewlett-Packard should be patting themselves on their backs, as RIM has expertly made use of the PlayBook’s active bezel and swipe gestures across the interface.

The only catch was that PlayBook users were left thoroughly disappointed due to the lack of email, calendar and contacts capabilities that were omitted at launch. PlayBookers can now rest easy, as PlayBook OS2 finally makes RIM’s tablet a worthy competitor in the ever-changing marketplace.

RIM’s inclusion of these core apps means the reliance on BlackBerry’s ‘Bridge’ has been lessened for users who don’t use their mobile phones. It also means that you no longer need a subscription to BlackBerry Internet Service to check your emails on the move with your mobile phone.

The company also detailed strategic partnerships with application developers to port key programmes over to the BlackBerry App World; in particular games such as Angry Birds, Cut The Rope and Plants vs. Zombies. Users who use their perfectly sized PlayBooks as e-readers can also rejoice as the magazine storefront Zinio is finally making its appearance in the App World.

Crackberry.com goes hand on with a preview version of PlayBook OS2

PlayBook OS2 also brings some subtle refinements to the interface, eschewing the tabbed based application tray in favour of an app tray that allows users store applications within a folder based paradigm. Users also have the option of the ever persistent ‘app dock’ to pin favourite or commonly access applications to.

BlackBerry has provisionally pencilled in February as the initial launch date for the much delayed and awaited update for the PlayBook, and I’m sure users around the world are hoping the Canadian company can keep to its promise.