[avt123]

I really just tried to write a completely honest review. I knew when I was hitting the publish button on it that some people might not like it, such as the OP on this thread, but I also think a fanboy review that glossed over the current drawbacks wouldn't have been a service to anyone. Trust me, I'd love to see everybody run out and buy a PlayBook on day one. But I want people who buy one to LOVE it. Not buy it and get it and then be surprised about things they didn't realize were the case and then complain about it. So I went for a review approach that put it all out there - lots of details - so people could educate themselves. Looking at the comments to the review, I think I achieved that goal. Lots of people were MORE positive on the PlayBook after reading it (the ones who already knew the shortcomings in advance but saw all the other awesomeness via the videos and got even more excited, etc.). And others decided maybe they'll wait to play with it before buying it, and that's not a bad thing. I think RIM would benefit right now from having a few less customers who were HAPPY with their PlayBook, then having a few more people who bought it and decided it wasn't for them.

THANK YOU!

This is the type or review that is great. Non biased, open minded and HONEST review. Kevin, you did the CB community a great favor by keeping it honest. Thank you very much for that.

[howarmat]

THANK YOU!

This is the type or review that is great. Non biased, open minded and HONEST review. Kevin, you did the CB community a great favor by keeping it honest. Thank you very much for that.

agreed, that is exactly what i liked about it

[dandbj13]

Kevin, thanks for chiming in. My only concern about your review, and all the others, is that they are too premature. You are not reviewing final software or, (if roomers are to be believed), hardware. What you say in your reviews may bear little resemblance to the actual end-user experience of the final product.

At PC, they didn't review the P2, even though they had it, before it was the final shipping version of the device. They did review the OS, as it was final. Perhaps you could comment on this bizarre situation of having to review prerelease sw/hw. How many times will you update and revise the review? What are the rules for this sort of thing?

[Denise in Los Angeles]

Kevin, I very much appreciate your effort and time spent writing your unbiased review! Thank you.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[CrackBerry Kevin]

Perhaps you could comment on this bizarre situation of having to review prerelease sw/hw. How many times will you update and revise the review? What are the rules for this sort of thing?

It was definitely a little "odd" to be reviewing a pre-release device, but to be honest, I don't think it would have affected my review that much as I didn't mention them in the review. I actually encountered WAYYYY MORE little software glitches, especially on the first software version I had on the device, that I never mentioned at all in the review. I actually did a TON of bug reporting to RIM with errors I was finding on the OS, and they actually IMPLEMENTED FIXES FOR THEM on the next software build we received. It was funny... one error for example... the low power indicator message wasn't complete. You'd get a notification popup, but it said "Battery charge is at 11%or lower Estimated time remaining until" and that was it. The message was cut off. I found bugs in the Kobo and Bing maps apps too that I reported and have since been fixed. None of this real pre-release glitch stuff was mentioned in the review as they fixed it. Of course to me, I was a little sad to see any of these glitches to begin with, for a device so close to launch.

The second software revision really was a big update, and the whole homescreen and OS felt a lot more smooth and friendly. And that was really what I reported on, and I think others did too... and most people were very positive there.

So the things that got picked on it the reviews.. I think mine and most others... were things that weren't effected by the fact we were on pre-release software. No matter what, native email/pim wasn't there at launch, app world is going to have not a ton of great apps (some good ones are popping up though), and the smaller device size is going to be a personal decision no matter what.

I'd say the two main things that DO seem better now, are:
- memory management. I think they fixed whatever browser memory leak they had, as I haven't seen the Low Memory warning since upgrading to the last software build. Though I still have seen apps sometimes close themselves. So RIM either just killed the message so people don't see it, or else it is doing a better job of managing memory.
- power button. Nobody told us on our preview units, but it does seem that the power button on final hardware is raised a bit, making it more usable. Though as i noted, you don't even have to use it that much. just swipe to power on and let the device time out. So not a huge deal to me.

In retrospect, I think it would have been smarter for RIM to give us final hardware with OS code that was ready to rock. Especially something like BlackBerry Bridge... that NEEDED to be fully working for all reviewers to experience in my opinion. It's still not fully working for me, and were close to launch. But the PlayBook with Bridge really feels like a much more complete device (much more appealing for people who own BBs).

anyways.. i'm rambling now... hope that adds some insight. and like i said, i'm going to follow up with some additional reviews as i use the device more, and will add links to the original reviews for the updated ones so people can hopefully find them. Plus we'll re-review all the new playbooks as they hit the market (4g/3g/etc).

K

[morpho4444]

Hey All,

Wow... I'm honored you all care so much about what I write and say, whether you agree with it or otherwise.
I think the OP will like it... I'll keep you all in suspense to then though.

You know Mr. Michaluk,

You made my day with that Blackberry Bridge video. I hope people understand that BB Smartphone plus Playbook will be a huge mobile computing combo, cannot be beaten by any of the actual 2011 device, wether you call it Thunderbold or iPhone 4, we are infront of a new platform so flexible that after 10 days, your bugs could be all gone!

So flexible than this QNX will run another environment on it. I hope you can help RIM with your opinions, because you know how better is not to pay another data plan than paying another data plan. You know how better is to have a smartphone with 32gb microsd card plus 64GB on playbook than just the other options.. not to mention that it may be posible to enable USB OTG... and mkv files? and what about VLC on the android market...?? do everybody know that you can tether from any phone?

Remember Kevin, do not be frustrated because it does not have native email. You said it on your review, remember that RIM cannot open BIS to some wifi connection, that's impossible.

I do care what I read here, cause if our Crackberry leader cannot trust in RIM, nobody will...
Anyway... I know you trust... Thanks for your review and I really hope you could keep pointing out the good stuff...

Im no body to tell you this but, what I really would to see is you taking word by word any other biased review and proving them wrong with videos. They are ruinning BB playbook reputation.. You could get it back to the top.

Best regards...
In Bold we trust!

[anon(3896606)]

It was definitely a little "odd" to be reviewing a pre-release device, but to be honest, I don't think it would have affected my review that much as I didn't mention them in the review. I actually encountered WAYYYY MORE little software glitches, especially on the first software version I had on the device, that I never mentioned at all in the review. I actually did a TON of bug reporting to RIM with errors I was finding on the OS, and they actually IMPLEMENTED FIXES FOR THEM on the next software build we received. It was funny... one error for example... the low power indicator message wasn't complete. You'd get a notification popup, but it said "Battery charge is at 11%or lower Estimated time remaining until" and that was it. The message was cut off. I found bugs in the Kobo and Bing maps apps too that I reported and have since been fixed. None of this real pre-release glitch stuff was mentioned in the review as they fixed it. Of course to me, I was a little sad to see any of these glitches to begin with, for a device so close to launch.

The second software revision really was a big update, and the whole homescreen and OS felt a lot more smooth and friendly. And that was really what I reported on, and I think others did too... and most people were very positive there.

So the things that got picked on it the reviews.. I think mine and most others... were things that weren't effected by the fact we were on pre-release software. No matter what, native email/pim wasn't there at launch, app world is going to have not a ton of great apps (some good ones are popping up though), and the smaller device size is going to be a personal decision no matter what.

I'd say the two main things that DO seem better now, are:
- memory management. I think they fixed whatever browser memory leak they had, as I haven't seen the Low Memory warning since upgrading to the last software build. Though I still have seen apps sometimes close themselves. So RIM either just killed the message so people don't see it, or else it is doing a better job of managing memory.
- power button. Nobody told us on our preview units, but it does seem that the power button on final hardware is raised a bit, making it more usable. Though as i noted, you don't even have to use it that much. just swipe to power on and let the device time out. So not a huge deal to me.

In retrospect, I think it would have been smarter for RIM to give us final hardware with OS code that was ready to rock. Especially something like BlackBerry Bridge... that NEEDED to be fully working for all reviewers to experience in my opinion. It's still not fully working for me, and were close to launch. But the PlayBook with Bridge really feels like a much more complete device (much more appealing for people who own BBs).

anyways.. i'm rambling now... hope that adds some insight. and like i said, i'm going to follow up with some additional reviews as i use the device more, and will add links to the original reviews for the updated ones so people can hopefully find them. Plus we'll re-review all the new playbooks as they hit the market (4g/3g/etc).

K

Thanks that cleared a lot of stuff up!

[CrackBerry Kevin]

You know Mr. Michaluk,

Im no body to tell you this but, what I really would to see is you taking word by word any other biased review and proving them wrong with videos. They are ruinning BB playbook reputation.. You could get it back to the top.

I like a mission. **** the Haters. I'm really falling in love with the PlayBook. Slightly shaky start, but feel myself going head over heals. Mission accepted. Will get the reputation back.

K

[anon(3896606)]

i like a mission. **** the haters. I'm really falling in love with the playbook. Slightly shaky start, but feel myself going head over heals. Mission accepted. Will get the reputation back.

K

canadian style?!

[Denise in Los Angeles]

Kevin to the rescue, but who is that Kevin guy?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[1812dave]

I like a mission. **** the Haters. I'm really falling in love with the PlayBook. Slightly shaky start, but feel myself going head over heals. Mission accepted. Will get the reputation back.

K

Kevin, I just got back from BB, where they had one on hand. I spoke with the fellow who was "in charge of it", who said that NO ONE had asked about it since it's arrival yesterday. Sad, eh?

Anyway, I got to play with it a while and was quite impressed with the screen and fluidity of the browser. moving around the screen with no lag is a thrill. LOL! ( I started a thread about it a few minutes ago, but it's VERY brief).

Once I see the apps that I want, and see that a few early glitches and/or omissions are taken care of, I think I'm going to buy one.

oh, and don't worry about the crybabies who didn't like you saying anything negative. Integrity trumps bs'ing.

[miketko]

NOW... What I'm really curious to see... is what you all will think of the review I'm going to post on Monday.... TEN Days Later... A Quick Re-Review of the BlackBerry PlayBook.

I think the OP will like it... I'll keep you all in suspense to then though.

now this has got me excited. maybe another killer feature

[Brazen9000]

I think something that people aren't mentioning is that one significant way a device like this is commonly used alondside media, games, office etc has been mentioned by no reviewer except Kevin. Kevin, alone, has made clear that if you might be spending any time at all doing research on web based pornography, the Flash fuelled Playbook is the single best ultra mobile device available! It's amusing that we all know that a large percentage of Tablet buyers will occasionally do some research of this nature and yet it's never mentioned at all, except by the fearless tech version of Woodward and Bernstein - Kevin Michaluk!

[edyts]

I think something that people aren't mentioning is that one significant way a device like this is commonly used alondside media, games, office etc has been mentioned by no reviewer except Kevin. Kevin, alone, has made clear that if you might be spending any time at all doing research on web based pornography, the Flash fuelled Playbook is the single best ultra mobile device available! It's amusing that we all know that a large percentage of Tablet buyers will occasionally do some research of this nature and yet it's never mentioned at all, except by the fearless tech version of Woodward and Bernstein - Kevin Michaluk!

LMFAO! The First Pornfessional Grade Tablet

[morpho4444]

Kevin you are the Man!! I cannot believe how strong your love for the Blackberry is!

I can only thing in one song that resume my feelings:

Bob Marley's One Love:

One love, one heart
let's get together and feel all right

I live in one of the countries that builds Blackberries. Blackberry is strong here. I'm loyal to the bone... I won't tell you what country is but we invented the Tequila.
One of the things I'm sure you will agree with me is that, Blackberry has a Global Strategy, not just US. I am very positive that as other countries start to bring more competition on their carriers, Blackberry will start to feel real threat and more advanced BB smartphones will show up. As you may know, in countries like India, Indonesia, and even mine, Iphone means nothing!
Blackberry rules them all. Blackberry just need to catch up in specs, nothing else, QNX will do the rest. I mean, look the Monaco Touch, just a bigger screen and more specs and there you have. A powerful and pretty phone.

Good job Kev. sorry for the not so polite title of the post =(

[Denise in Los Angeles]

Kevin you are the Man!! I cannot believe how strong your love for the Blackberry is!

I can only thing in one song that resume my feelings:

Bob Marley's One Love:

One love, one heart
let's get together and feel all right

I live in one of the countries that builds Blackberries. Blackberry is strong here. I'm loyal to the bone... I won't tell you what country is but we invented the Tequila.
One of the things I'm sure you will agree with me is that, Blackberry has a Global Strategy, not just US. I am very positive that as other countries start to bring more competition on their carriers, Blackberry will start to feel real threat and more advanced BB smartphones will show up. As you may know, in countries like India, Indonesia, and even mine, Iphone means nothing!
Blackberry rules them all. Blackberry just need to catch up in specs, nothing else, QNX will do the rest. I mean, look the Monaco Touch, just a bigger screen and more specs and there you have. A powerful and pretty phone.

Good job Kev. sorry for the not so polite title of the post =(

Thank you for the tequila!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[chiefbroski]

If you look at the reviews out there about the Playbook, they mention much more pros then cons. However, the reviews give a negative impression about the Playbook and the media takes these reviews as if its "no ipad" and only "half-baked" w/e....

The problem with the reviews is not their accuracy, as they are very accurate when they are being factual, its their writing style.

EXPERIMENT: Just count the number of words used to describe positives about the playbook. Now count the number of words used to describe negatives. Its consistently higher despite the number of pros they mention.

The conclusions they all share are based on just the negatives. Kevin, in my opinion, spent an equal amount of emphasizing on the good and bad, unlike BGR, engagdet, and almost all other tech media. These media make business to generate clicks and views through advertising, so naturally since the public always needs a "best" tablet which must be the ipad according to the gods of media, a negative playbook review gets more attention because it feeds this ideology.

Its surprising how accurate these reviews can be, yet be written with so much bias and spin that facts don't matter.

[Bla1ze]

Would you rather him have lied, stated it was the best thing since sliced bread then be disappointed when the issues he did mention arise?

[nextlevel88]

What I noticed about the reviews is that many of them had a negative tone to them despite the fact that they acknowledged a lot positive things. Also, it seemed they had a "but" for each one of those positive things, regardless of how relevant it seemed. Nonetheless, they were fair, as long as you remember the purpose of reviews: 1. To give fanboys something to fight about. 2. To give educated consumers things to look for that they may not have otherwise seen during an hour-demo at the store when they try the device for themselves.

As for Kevin's review, it reminded me of a little league coach who's kid is on the team. You know you're going to love them in the end no matter what, but you can't help but focus on the negative things for a couple reasons. First, you just really want to see things improve, and second, you don't want the other parents to think you're favoring your baby.

[Maiev]

I think its one of the not-so-biased review I've read.

His whole table got apple products, so obviously he knows what apple products is, and him writing the review makes it a fair comparison.

I don't think he'd want to say bad stuff about it, cuz really, he's got nothing to gain if he makes Playbook looks like a lame duck. Less ppl buy PB, less ppl come to crackberry, less chance of ppl buying accessories... yea he's got everything to lose.

But look at it this way. He gave his honest opinion. He obviously knows his blackberry inside out as well, so is his iphone/apple products. I think it was a pleasant read, and coming from someone who also used apple product, I think it was well balanced between a blackberry fanboy vs honest.

Just my 2c

[dandbj13]

I think most are confusing an independent review with advocacy. There is a huge difference. Again, I use PC as an example. Clearly the folks over at PC are advocates. They are unabashed cheerleaders, and proud of it. Yet, when it is time to roll up their sleeves and write a professional product review, they do an outstanding job. They successfully remove their advocate hats, and put on their professional reviewer hats. You can always tell the difference.

Kevin, as you know, the moment you start writing a "review" for the purpose of advocating and selling a product, you are no longer reviewing it. I just ask that you be careful to distinguish future advocacy pieces from the official review. All will be well.

This reviewing of a prerelease product puts all professional reviewers in a compromised position, IMO. Now, they are left to decide whether to write about what they have on hand, or to editorialize and omit the negatives, as they are due to the prerelease nature of the product. Readers cannot trust what is written because the writing will either leave out problems reviewers thought would be fixed, or the review mentions negatives that will not be in the final product. Pick your poison; it's all poison.

Finally, reviews usually happen only once per product. You give your honest impression of the product as it was presented, and you let it stand. You can't re-review a product every other day until the company gets it right. That is no longer a review; that's a bug report. You are now an active part of the RIM beta test, QC team. You are more than an advocate at that point; you are an unpaid employee. Again, as an advocate, you can do anything you want to help the company, and should. I look forward to reading your adventures and impressions along the way. But those are not professional, independent reviews. Make the differences clear, and everybody's well served. RIM has much to answer for with this strategy. What were they thinking!?

[DX9]

Honestly, after seeing initial reviews I was kinda disappointed as well. I want a tablet but really wanted the Playbook to go with my 9780. After seeing the Bridge I was back on track and I know sw updates will fix little bugs etc and you know RIM will be pounding those out. I will be picking up my Playbook tuesday morning.

[tgellr]

Kevin - thanks for posting a review and not a commercial. The entire backstory of RIM's late entry into the Tablet market is evidence that they are reacting to the realities of the fast-lane of Mobile Computing. The "opinions" expressed on CrackBerry need to be heard and I, for one, will stand behind them as they struggle through the learning process. Look at some of the past disasters that involved consumer deaths such as Tylenol and Toyota... yet, those companies reacted to horrific realities and continue to flourish. RIM's hurdles pale in contrast. Keep up the great work and thanks for keepin' it real

[CrackBerry Kevin]

As for Kevin's review, it reminded me of a little league coach who's kid is on the team. You know you're going to love them in the end no matter what, but you can't help but focus on the negative things for a couple reasons. First, you just really want to see things improve, and second, you don't want the other parents to think you're favoring your baby.

That was BRILLIANT!

[Cozmik]

That was BRILLIANT!

The PlayBook is going to be brilliant!!