Making Calls from the Playbook?

**barrist** · 02-24-2011, 02:45 PM

I noticed this in the playbook charging stand description that's now up for preorder in the Crackberry store:

The BlackBerry Rapid Charging Stand your BlackBerry PlayBook is optimized for desktop use at the perfect viewing angle while charging. You'll have full access to the keyboard and speakerphone capability while you can also make calls, read and send email, as well as utilize the multimedia player.

Now assuming this is the stock description created by RIM for the stand, this is the first time i've ever seen mention of being able to make calls (presumably through a bridged BB) on the playbook.

what do you think?

**MattDub22** · 02-24-2011, 02:49 PM

More like, "What do I hope?!" It has everything in place to do so if you ask me... Front camera, bridgable via NFC, I really hope so!

**lnichols** · 02-24-2011, 02:53 PM

Well since it is using a Bluetooth connection to the phone, it should be able to act like a speakerphone using its built in mic and speakers, but the phone handling the calling. I would say the only way it could act as a phone itself would be with a SIP client of some sort. Never thought about answering calls to my Blackberry with my Playbook, but it would be a cool feature.

**BravoBBY** · 02-24-2011, 07:59 PM

Skype? BBM video call? I think that's what they are hinting at.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**Mr Bigs** · 02-24-2011, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by lnichols

Well since it is using a Bluetooth connection to the phone, it should be able to act like a speakerphone using its built in mic and speakers, but the phone handling the calling. I would say the only way it could act as a phone itself would be with a SIP client of some sort. Never thought about answering calls to my Blackberry with my Playbook, but it would be a cool feature.

Check out the HP Touchpad........

**lnichols** · 02-25-2011, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Leo J

Check out the HP Touchpad........

No thanks... I've seen things made by HP that were obviously either designed to fail so you would have a shorter replacement cycle, or were designed by complete morons who didn't realize that they were designing it to fail. Either way I'll shop elsewhere.

**drjay868** · 02-25-2011, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by BravoBBY

Skype? BBM video call? I think that's what they are hinting at.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

That's exactly what I thought it would be. Skype using WiFi or a video call. Why else would it have two cameras?

**codydxb** · 02-25-2011, 06:03 PM

BBM will have video conferencing. With 4G speeds, it's gonna be a real deal. Say good buy to Facetime and GTalk and Skype.

**dcscott** · 02-25-2011, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by codydxb

BBM will have video conferencing. With 4G speeds, it's gonna be a real deal. Say good buy to Facetime and GTalk and Skype.

I'd love to say goodby to Skype but it isn't going to happen until something like BBM comes along with video that is cross platform. I have way to many friends that are on non-BB devices.

**Mr Bigs** · 02-26-2011, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by lnichols

No thanks... I've seen things made by HP that were obviously either designed to fail so you would have a shorter replacement cycle, or were designed by complete morons who didn't realize that they were designing it to fail. Either way I'll shop elsewhere.

Kinda like the Storm I & II.

**drjay868** · 02-26-2011, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by dcscott

I'd love to say goodby to Skype but it isn't going to happen until something like BBM comes along with video that is cross platform. I have way to many friends that are on non-BB devices.

I think I remember something here on CB about RIM making parts BB cross-platform... the speculation was that BBM would be part of it.