Playbook for doing actual work? (sorry for the question)
If I'm going to carry the thing around, it had better be of assistance.
Ok, so assuming it gets tons of apps and all that. Fine.
Can it replace a netbook?
Meaning, can I create and edit documents easily? ... or is it designed for those who merely want a more tolerable web browsing experience.
I can understand how an Android-pad could take advantage of google docs for "office like" functionality... or how a Windows pad could do the same with it's own office suite.
With this Playbook having its own OS, I'm assuming that it will not run the current office programs natively... and not sure how they'll resolve it. Perhaps the recently acquired Docs-to-go is the solution?
I'm desperately seeking small/light solutions to a computer.
My 9650 (with Dropbox and Docs-to-go) is an amazing solution that is working like a charm. It turns out that I can "text" as quickly as I can write with a pencil, so it is a great note taking device that syncs through dropbox.
It, of course, has it's compromises. Docs-to-go is a bit clumsy if you want to format quickly as you go. I can deal with it given the amazing advantage of having my "computer" fit in my pocket!
If this little playbook would include a proper and compatible-with-microsoft office suite...and perhaps a well designed keyboard... this would be cool.
Otherwise, I'm still a little on the fence with these pads. Is the big advantage that they make portable web surfing a bit more pleasing than through the phone?
So, how does this thing fit in with doing work? (I guess that's the question) Assuming that you travel around and need to take notes, can this thing help?
(obviously, if you are just in an office, you've got a PC in front of you.. no problem)
Kelton
Re: Playbook for doing actual work? (sorry for the question)
I can do a lot of work things with my PlayBook. Some of the things include:
- Web access. Bridged to my 9700 keeps me connected pretty much everywhere.
- Email - as long as it goes through Gmail or my 9700, I can access it. POP accounts only seem to work via wifi on the PlayBook, so I rely on my 9700 and just use Bridge to access email on the 9700 instead.
- RDM+ keeps my desktop computer screen just a few seconds away. If there is something that was left on my computer, I can access it from the PlayBook. I used to access it using RDM+ on my 9700, but the larger PlayBook screen comes in handy.
- Orders. My website has an online order system for my photography business. I can access most of the features just fine via PlayBook.
- Presentations: I mostly do videos and sideshows. I have these all converted to video or ppt and either display them directly on the PlayBook screen, or use HDMI to output. This is one area I think it really helps having the PlayBook, making presentations much more portable.
- Notes: I use SpringPad for note taking, and Evernote. I prefer the organization of SpringPad, and both are accessible on my computer later. I keep hoping BB10 comes to the PlayBook. Flicking words up would make note taking that much easier.
The downside:
- Photo editing is still much better on a computer.
- Bookkeeping is still better on the computer. No mobile link yet.
- App development still requires a computer.
- Accepting credit cards. Most of the swiping devices work with Android for portable processing, but not with the PlayBook. I can still accept credit cards via Square or PayPal, but I have to enter them manually, at a higher charge rate.
I think the combination of BB and PlayBook make a good set for work. It would definitely benefit from having more apps available, though.