Owners of RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet have long bemoaned the device's lack of a native email client and its tepid app environment.
However, the version 2.0 OS update is finally available and looks to address some of those complaints.
Aside from productivity features such as email, documents, calender, a key improvement is app discovery.
BlackBerry App World has seen an overhaul, with browsing options highlighted with better graphics and carousels and streamlined via a slew of new tabs and categories.
Games can now be viewed by Top Rated or by New Arrivals, while the Featured store front now pushes apps through promotional categories such as Fun With Food and Brainteasers.
Are we there yet?
The OS update also adds a significant amount of social network integration, allowing users to sync Twitter, Facebook and e-mail accounts on the device.
Time will tell if more developers now feel that providing content for the previously barren App World store is a worthwhile endeavour - something that obviously will depend on the device's install base.
If you are an Android developer interested in making the PlayBook leap, RIM will even give you free device, if you promise to release an Android app on App World before its revised 2 March Android developer program deadline.
So what do you think? Will the 2.0 update be enough to save the PlayBook? Are you a developer reconsidering whether or not to make the move to RIM's 7-inch tablet?
Let us know in the comments below.
News
When Matt was 7 years old he didn't write to Santa like the other little boys and girls. He wrote to Mario. When the rotund plumber replied, Matt's dedication to a life of gaming was established. Like an otaku David Carradine, he wandered the planet until becoming a writer at Pocket Gamer.
Top Stories
News
12 hours, 7 minutes ago
Roblox launches video ads, partnering with IAS to deliver transparent metrics
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |