will Playbook pair with phones running OS5?

[CSI Guy]

Will the Playbook work/pair with OS5 or will you have to run OS6 to get full function?

[howarmat]

os5 and higher

[danageplan]

source? I cant find anything about compatibility, I'm guessing your probably right but I like proof.

[Fubaz]

Think they would make any compatibility to 4.5?
its still a very popular platform and the playbook will stop people from upgrading devices if the PB can do it for them.

[taylortbb]

BlackBerry - PlayBook Tablet PC - BlackBerry PlayBook Specs Pricing and More at BlackBerry.com

Go to the bottom of the page.

[howarmat]

BlackBerry PlayBook can pair with BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry® Device Software v5 or higher

for those to lazy to click the link, this is what has been on the bottom of the official BB Playbook page for quite some time

[ffejrobins30]

Now, here's a related question...

As of now, when you teather a BB through either BT or USB, the service books direct traffic over different paths to limit speed, T-Mobile is my example. When i use the phone to directly access the internet, the traffic is put through the 3G network, but when teather to my PC, I am restricted to EDGE network/speed for that traffic.

NOW, when teathered to a PB, will this also be the case? I know that the website states that it will be able to teather and use 3G speeds, but unless there is a software upgrade forced by RIM or updated SB sent out, then what will allow the PB to teather at full speed?

Since OS5 was out for so long prior to the PB, there's no way they could have been able to set this up on the older phones without an update, but since OS6 was developed at about the same time, it makes sense that there is a "work around" built into the OS.

What do you guys think? I think that if RIM is going to try and force an upgrade for phones to get full teather functionality with the PB with a firmware update, that will not go over well with the carriers and they will start charging extra for the ability. Second, if an update to OS6 is required for full functionality, then phones like my 9700 will never see an official OS6 update because there would be no immediate reason for me to upgrade/purchase a new phone.

[cmsdock]

From what I have read with os5 there will be an app that you install on your bb. To enable email bbm calender contact etc sync with the pb. Also if the pb loses connection with the bb the data will automatically be removed from the pb. the best to think as pb as a (advanced)separate screen for your bb. Rim designed so corporations it department wouldn't have to worry about another device and security on their network. I would imagine that os6 has the software built in for the pb to sync. But I don't think anyone knows for sure. Like others I'm waiting for more news about the pb. Also if any of this information that I have posted is incorrect please feel free to correct me.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[JRSCCivic98]

Originally Posted by ffejrobins30

As of now, when you teather a BB through either BT or USB, the service books direct traffic over different paths to limit speed, T-Mobile is my example. When i use the phone to directly access the internet, the traffic is put through the 3G network, but when teather to my PC, I am restricted to EDGE network/speed for that traffic.

Service Books are changed/upgraded independently of OS versions. It's something that's handled at the network level and then pushed to your phone when provisioning takes place as part of the BB's process of registering on the network.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[ffejrobins30]

Originally Posted by JRSCCivic98

Service Books are changed/upgraded independently of OS versions. It's something that's handled at the network level and then pushed to your phone when provisioning takes place as part of the BB's process of registering on the network.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I understand this, this is what allows the carrier to decide to let you have full speed tethering or not, that's what I was saying. Because of this, in theory, even though the PB is CAPABLE of 3G teathering, will it be able to do this.

With OS6 having been developed "with" the PB in mind, RIM can program a "work around" into the firmware that will allow full speed tethering independent of your carrier's data provisioning, but with OS5 having been out for so long and on so many phones, it would be impossible for them to get this worked onto the older platforms without a firmware update. Since firmware updates are also very carrier dependent, this could cause a problem with getting the full 3G speeds. This could be a major factor in getting carriers to release official updates for phones like the 9700 to OS6.

For example, since T-Mobile does not currently charge for tethering, but does limit it to EDGE speeds, if OS6 has a work around that bypasses their provisioning, then T-mobile will either start charging for the ability to tether and allow the update, or will never release OS6 officially for it.

[Skeevecr]

Originally Posted by ffejrobins30

Now, here's a related question...

As of now, when you teather a BB through either BT or USB, the service books direct traffic over different paths to limit speed, T-Mobile is my example. When i use the phone to directly access the internet, the traffic is put through the 3G network, but when teather to my PC, I am restricted to EDGE network/speed for that traffic.

This sounds like something that you should be chasing up your carrier about because there is no technical reason for such a limitation and it certainly isn't the case on all networks.

[JRSCCivic98]

Originally Posted by Skeevecr

This sounds like something that you should be chasing up your carrier about because there is no technical reason for such a limitation and it certainly isn't the case on all networks.

Not only that, but I'm willing to bet the user is also using T-Mobile tethering software to make his connection, which usually depends upon a username/password to keep track of stuff. This type of controlled service is what's controlling your tethering speeds sometimes. I seriously doubt the user is using a simple DUN connection.

Either way, as I've said in the past, I hope the PB will allow for free use of my existing data plan bandwidth on my BB. If not, it'll blow and to me won't be any different then another advanced tablet device. Isht, at that point I'll give up on all the isht wannabe tablets and go full Windows based with the Slate and stop worrying about what I can and can't do with my tablet.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[howarmat]

Originally Posted by ffejrobins30

I understand this, this is what allows the carrier to decide to let you have full speed tethering or not, that's what I was saying. Because of this, in theory, even though the PB is CAPABLE of 3G teathering, will it be able to do this.

With OS6 having been developed "with" the PB in mind, RIM can program a "work around" into the firmware that will allow full speed tethering independent of your carrier's data provisioning, but with OS5 having been out for so long and on so many phones, it would be impossible for them to get this worked onto the older platforms without a firmware update. Since firmware updates are also very carrier dependent, this could cause a problem with getting the full 3G speeds. This could be a major factor in getting carriers to release official updates for phones like the 9700 to OS6.

For example, since T-Mobile does not currently charge for tethering, but does limit it to EDGE speeds, if OS6 has a work around that bypasses their provisioning, then T-mobile will either start charging for the ability to tether and allow the update, or will never release OS6 officially for it.

I highly doubt this considering that OS 6 was deep in development well over 10 months ago. Sure you can add in software for it later but i doubt it was engineered with the PB in mind

[gregerator]

Think of it the other way. The PB was developed with OS5 and BB6 in mind.

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