[ahncall]

about a month ago, i posted a review of the PlayBook that I had written for iMedicalApps.com. At the time, I had mentioned that I was planning on also reviewing the HTC Flyer, and gave a brief sneak peek of my review. Naturally, the article is filled with comparisons to the PlayBook. As before, my review focuses more on the professional use of the app and less on certain aspects, like the camera.

I finally wrote my formal review of the Flyer, and my overall impression of the Flyer has improved a moderate amount. I still prefer the PlayBook in terms of build quality and overall feel of the OS (i love the QNX operating system), but i think the HTC Flyer is a more fully-featured OS (more apps, native e-mail/calendar, spellcheck).

The stylus feature was decent, but not a game changer because the included notes app is limited in scope.

For a full review, check out the article. I'll gladly answer any questions that you might have, either here or on the article comments section.

[lotuslanderz]

Interesting review, especially the description on how the stylus works.
If the PlayBook runs the same Android apps as the Flyer in its upcoming Android player, would the PlayBook then have the edge, or would you stay with the Flyer?

[lawguyman]

I played with the Flyer recently. I liked it. I thought the build quality was good and the screen was excellent. It is just based on an older Android version and has a single core processor.

The Android ecosystem is far more advanced than RIM's is. After playing with the leaked Android Player and the 7" Honeybomb based Acer Iconia A100, I am very jealous of all the real features that are available but that Playbook does not have. I still returned the Acer and hope I won't have a future need to buy another 7" tablet with better build quality.

I agree that QNX is a better OS but I think that HTC did nice things with its skin on the Flyer. It is pretty cool.

[ahncall]

lotuslanderz, i have some concerns about the upcoming Android player for the PlayBook. I did not fiddle around with the leaked beta personally, but it did not seem like it was working excellently. Furthermore, I am concerned about the availability of apps, as it sounds like developers have to tweak their app to list it in the PlayBook Android appstore, and I think it is Android 2.1? Lastly, the delays with the mail/calendar client and Android environment make me concerned. I'm sure it will come eventually, but why is it taking so long?

That being said, if it is able to run the same Android apps that I use currently on the Flyer, i think my preference would still be the flyer, but it would be VERY close. One, I think the hope of possibly using the stylus (even though I end up never using it in the hospital) makes me use the Flyer, in almost a weird jedi mind-trick sort of way. Two, while the QNX operating system is smoother and slicker, the Android OS feels more complete. The QNX operating system is simple, in both a bad and good way.

Software-wise, the main clear advantage the PlayBook has is the ease of multitasking. That's a huge plus.

[lotuslanderz]

lotuslanderz, i have some concerns about the upcoming Android player for the PlayBook. I did not fiddle around with the leaked beta personally, but it did not seem like it was working excellently. Furthermore, I am concerned about the availability of apps, as it sounds like developers have to tweak their app to list it in the PlayBook Android appstore, and I think it is Android 2.1? Lastly, the delays with the mail/calendar client and Android environment make me concerned. I'm sure it will come eventually, but why is it taking so long?

That being said, if it is able to run the same Android apps that I use currently on the Flyer, i think my preference would still be the flyer, but it would be VERY close. One, I think the hope of possibly using the stylus (even though I end up never using it in the hospital) makes me use the Flyer, in almost a weird jedi mind-trick sort of way. Two, while the QNX operating system is smoother and slicker, the Android OS feels more complete. The QNX operating system is simple, in both a bad and good way.

Software-wise, the main clear advantage the PlayBook has is the ease of multitasking. That's a huge plus.

Thanks again for the comments. The stylus and note-taking/mark-up ability are what caught my attention. I really like the 7" form-factor and looks of the PlayBook but I would love to have the ability to annotate pdf files (and to search within them). Using PubMed on the PlayBook's browser is great, as is reading articles in html or pdf format. But I need to at least hi-lite so I can remember/find things!

Can the Flyer annotate pdf files using its stylus? Or does it take a picture in the Notes app and then let you annotate? I guess I'm looking for something like iAnnotate and Penultimate to come to the PlayBook, or to be able to use the equivalent Android Apps, if those exist. BTW, I believe the PlayBook will have the Android 2.3 player.

[xsacha]

lotuslanderz, i have some concerns about the upcoming Android player for the PlayBook. I did not fiddle around with the leaked beta personally, but it did not seem like it was working excellently. Furthermore, I am concerned about the availability of apps, as it sounds like developers have to tweak their app to list it in the PlayBook Android appstore, and I think it is Android 2.1?

The current leaked Android player for Playbook is Android 2.3.3. So it runs all the latest apps. The apps do *not* need any modification.

The only issue (in terms of compatibility) is that there is currently no video driver so you can't play 3D games. I'm sure there will be one soon.

[mjs416]

Good review from a different point of view.