1. BigwhiteUK's Avatar
    Can i ask why you bought it? Assuming you did your homework/research!
    01-15-13 06:18 AM
  2. Wongsky's Avatar
    Sideloading isnt something a consumer should have to go through.
    iOS apps cant be sideloaded as far as Im aware.
    Much vaulted security of this device is out the window when youre sideloading apps.
    There are no native alternatives for anything I use my phone/tablet for.
    The price is irrelevant when you consider its a paperweight. Id rather have dropped 200 quid at the casino.
    The damage this product has done to RIM is immeasurable, people who picked these up, particularly casual consumers, are going to be extremely distrustful of anything RIM comes out with in the future. Theyd have been better off giving them away with OS7 devices, that would have been win win.
    I'm not buying your "damage" claims. I think the users truly cheesed off, are largely early-adopters, who bought, in some cases on faith, earlier in the history, at a higher price. I think it's fair point to mention that's probably a small demographic.

    On the flip-side, there's been lots of people buying PlayBooks at heavily discounted prices, many will be quite happy with what they've got for their money.

    The true damage to RIM, IMO? The "cost" of selling so many PlayBooks at such discounted prices. That said - on balance, that may be a smart, savvy move - if nothing else, as a PlayBook user, I'm seriously considering a BB handset when my mobile contract renewal is due. That wouldn't have really been on my radar, prior to owning a PlayBook.
    FF22 and Celandine like this.
    01-15-13 06:32 AM
  3. bobauckland's Avatar
    Can i ask why you bought it? Assuming you did your homework/research!
    Sure. I was very happy with my 9780 at the time, so I thought the PlayBook was the natural step up to maximise the experience. Its built solidly, and had and has decent specs.
    I thought it would be impossible for a tablet with front facing cameras to not have a cross platform app to make use of these.
    I fell into the hype trap and believe PlayBook OS 2, which was round the corner, would change things dramatically.
    I realised, when it comes to RIM, I need to be very very cautious.

    I'm not buying your "damage" claims. I think the users truly cheesed off, are largely early-adopters, who bought, in some cases on faith, earlier in the history, at a higher price. I think it's fair point to mention that's probably a small demographic.

    On the flip-side, there's been lots of people buying PlayBooks at heavily discounted prices, many will be quite happy with what they've got for their money.

    The true damage to RIM, IMO? The "cost" of selling so many PlayBooks at such discounted prices. That said - on balance, that may be a smart, savvy move - if nothing else, as a PlayBook user, I'm seriously considering a BB handset when my mobile contract renewal is due. That wouldn't have really been on my radar, prior to owning a PlayBook.
    Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Fire sale prices put many items in peoples hands. If those products make a terrible impression, that makes a lasting impression.
    For 170 odd pounds, the Nexus 7 is a no brainer for what it offers.
    Theres a reason even at fire sale prices the PlayBooks are just not selling out.

    Theres very very very few people who are happy with what they got with the PlayBook.
    Otherwise, at sub 100 quid for a 64 GB model, there wouldnt be any floating around.
    01-15-13 07:00 AM
  4. BigwhiteUK's Avatar
    I would agree that those receiving a PB as a gift may be disappointed, and perhaps even some of the early adopters. There are things wrong with it, which i was aware of when I bought mine 4 months ago, at a discounted price, but there are also some very good things right with it.
    For me i think the lack of SD card support was a big omission by RIM, hopefully they will implement OTG support. But RIM are famous for dropping the ball with their hardware releases .i.e. no auto focus on the 990 is one of many, and hopefully Mr. Heizns is on top of it. Need to give people what they want, not what they think they want!
    As a side note I would have loved to have seen the implementation of a stylus, similar to Samsung's, have played around with it and was well impressed.
    May Hem likes this.
    01-15-13 07:17 AM
  5. bambinoitaliano's Avatar
    Nobody takes joy in calling it a disaster or garbage. It doesnt make people happy to be unhappy with a device. Having said that, we put down hard earned money to support RIM. And were rewarded with what many feel is an absolutely awful product. Nowt wrong with being unhappy about that.
    That's disingenuous at best to claim you put your hard earn money to support RIM. Let's not muddy the intention here. Regardless of how you feel about the product, you are a consumer. Exchanging money for a product or service. There's no charity between the subscriber and provider. It's a business transaction. If I purchase a box of cereal from a grocery store it's because I want to consume cereal not because I want to support XYZ mart or General Mills.
    01-15-13 07:29 AM
  6. bobauckland's Avatar
    I would agree that those receiving a PB as a gift may be disappointed, and perhaps even some of the early adopters. There are things wrong with it, which i was aware of when I bought mine 4 months ago, at a discounted price, but there are also some very good things right with it.
    For me i think the lack of SD card support was a big omission by RIM, hopefully they will implement OTG support. But RIM are famous for dropping the ball with their hardware releases .i.e. no auto focus on the 990 is one of many, and hopefully Mr. Heizns is on top of it. Need to give people what they want, not what they think they want!
    As a side note I would have loved to have seen the implementation of a stylus, similar to Samsung's, have played around with it and was well impressed.
    I think the PlayBook had almost everything needed to be perfect. But not having cross platform video chat to make use of those dual cameras is criminal.
    The email client is just appalling, its slow, its everything a BlackBerry email experience isnt.
    Flash support on the browser is great.
    The size is great.
    The app selection is awful, and RIMs focus on bringing in numbers rather than quality meant you had all those awful apps that were just books repackaged as apps.
    Not having BBM is astonishing.
    The delays in PB 2.0 were shocking, and the quality was debatable, of the OS.
    Its solid hardware, handicapped by a poor OS.
    Tell the average consumer that BB10 is based on PlayBooks OS and they will be shocked.
    The PlayBook hardware was brill, the software let it down.
    randall2580 likes this.
    01-15-13 07:33 AM
  7. Wongsky's Avatar
    Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Fire sale prices put many items in peoples hands. If those products make a terrible impression, that makes a lasting impression.
    For 170 odd pounds, the Nexus 7 is a no brainer for what it offers.
    Theres a reason even at fire sale prices the PlayBooks are just not selling out.

    Theres very very very few people who are happy with what they got with the PlayBook.
    Otherwise, at sub 100 quid for a 64 GB model, there wouldnt be any floating around.
    I disagree with the Nexus being a default choice for a 7" tablet - I already have 2 Android tablets - I understand why and when I'd want one.

    If I'd decided that I wanted a 7" Android tablet, and was happy with the Nexus attributes and what I wanted to use it for, fair enough. But what attracted me to the PlayBook, was the build quality, the OS (which is superb, no matter how you cut it), the available storage on board (64G in my instance), the front-mounted stereo speakers, and HDMI out (capable of 1080p output).

    Yes, I get you can use OTG with the Nexus to ameliorate the significantly lesser storage space - but I don't want to have to, unless there's some overwhelming or compelling reason to not have more on-board storage.

    On the flipside, I've not found an acceptable solution for running Kindle on my PlayBook - which to me is a notable limitation, and to a lesser degree the Skype thing. But on the flipside of that, other aspects of the PlayBook have exceeded my expectations - and I've enjoyed the smaller form-factor over my existing Android tablets.

    Thing is, if I'd wanted another Android tablet I would have bought one - but I didn't specifically want another Android tablet, I just wanted a decent tablet, for a good price, with plenty of storage, that was built well, that had some other characteristics that suit (mentioned previously).

    Now don't get me wrong - I'm not polarised against the Nexus - I've recommended it to some people that have asked me about buying a tablet with a few devices given as potential choices. But in fairness, it's just not THE killer 7" device. It may be an almost default choice for a 7" Android tablet - but that's again, somewhat prescriptive.
    Last edited by Wongsky; 01-15-13 at 07:58 AM.
    01-15-13 07:45 AM
  8. bobauckland's Avatar
    I disagree with the Nexus being a default choice for a 7" tablet - I already have 2 Android tablets - I understand why and when I'd want one.

    If I'd decided that I wanted a 7" Android tablet, and was happy with the Nexus attributes and what I wanted to use it for, fair enough. But what attracted me to the PlayBook, was the build quality, the OS (which is superb, no matter how you cut it), the available storage on board (64G in my instance), the front-mounted stereo speakers, and HDMI out (capable of 1080p output).

    Yes, I get you can use OTG with the Nexus to ameliorate the significantly lesser storage space - but I don't want to have to, unless there's some overwhelming or compelling reason to not have more on-board storage.

    On the flipside, I've not found an acceptable solution for running Kindle on my PlayBook - which to me is a notable limitation, and to a lesser degree the Skype thing. But on the flipside of that, other aspects of the PlayBook have exceeded my expectations - and I've enjoyed the smaller form-factor over my existing Android tablets.

    Thing is, if I'd wanted another Android tablet I would have bought one - but I didn't specifically want another Android tablet, I just wanted a decent tablet, for a good price, with plenty of storage, that was built well, that had some other characteristics that suite (mentioned previously).

    Now don't get me wrong - I'm not polarised against the Nexus - I've recommended it to some people that have asked me about buying a tablet with a few devices given as potential choices. But in fairness, it's just not THE killer 7" device. It may be an almost default choice for a 7" Android tablet - but that's again, somewhat prescriptive.
    Aside from Flash playback, which is a huge deal for some people, fair enough, but aside from that, what does the PlayBook offer a consumer that a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini doesnt?
    I cant think of 1 thing.
    I disagree that the OS is miles ahead of the options. Its different, and the gestures are fun, but again the multitasking between apps only matters when you have apps to multitask between. How else is it superb?
    01-15-13 07:52 AM
  9. LeKeiser's Avatar
    [SNAP]

    Theres very very very few people who are happy with what they got with the PlayBook.
    Otherwise, at sub 100 quid for a 64 GB model, there wouldnt be any floating around.
    says who? Cuz it's not what I see on so many forums... Please don't generalize your hate like that...
    01-15-13 08:02 AM
  10. LeKeiser's Avatar
    [SNAP]
    I disagree that the OS is miles ahead of the options. Its different, and the gestures are fun, but again the multitasking between apps only matters when you have apps to multitask between. How else is it superb?
    funny, I use many apps at the same time, with no slowdowns whatsoever... Right now, 6 are opened. But I'm also working at the same time.
    01-15-13 08:05 AM
  11. RubberChicken76's Avatar
    Aside from Flash playback, which is a huge deal for some people, fair enough, but aside from that, what does the PlayBook offer a consumer that a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini doesnt?
    My aunt picked one up for $100 CAD vs $249 for the Nexus and $329 for the iPad Mini.
    01-15-13 08:07 AM
  12. Bakamushi's Avatar
    I thought it would be impossible for a tablet with front facing cameras to not have a cross platform app to make use of these.
    I fell into the hype trap and believe PlayBook OS 2, which was round the corner, would change things dramatically.
    I realised, when it comes to RIM, I need to be very very cautious.
    +1

    Can i ask why you bought it? Assuming you did your homework/research!
    Do we get good marks and free sweets if we do our homework here ?
    01-15-13 08:16 AM
  13. BigwhiteUK's Avatar
    well doing your homework before buying most tech makes common sense! A sweet is on its way for you. Oh and a gold star for effort
    01-15-13 08:22 AM
  14. Bakamushi's Avatar
    says who? Cuz it's not what I see on so many forums... Please don't generalize your hate like that...
    Did you consider that those of the RIM fans who had a critical mind have left RIM related forums long ago ?

    That is, they don't even care to criticize anymore.
    01-15-13 08:25 AM
  15. kbz1960's Avatar
    Did you consider that those of the RIM fans who had a critical mind have left RIM related forums long ago ?

    That is, they don't even care to criticize anymore.
    Maybe others but not this one
    01-15-13 08:44 AM
  16. Michel Souris's Avatar
    Awful, awful, awful, awful, awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful,awful, awful, awful email.

    Yes, I'm disappointed.
    01-15-13 08:50 AM
  17. LeKeiser's Avatar
    Did you consider that those of the RIM fans who had a critical mind have left RIM related forums long ago ?

    That is, they don't even care to criticize anymore.
    do you realize that the majority of the people who post on forums are there because they have problems and hence are usually in a bad mood and all?
    01-15-13 08:53 AM
  18. Wongsky's Avatar
    Aside from Flash playback, which is a huge deal for some people, fair enough, but aside from that, what does the PlayBook offer a consumer that a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini doesnt?
    I cant think of 1 thing.
    I disagree that the OS is miles ahead of the options. Its different, and the gestures are fun, but again the multitasking between apps only matters when you have apps to multitask between. How else is it superb?
    As to what the PlayBook offers, its strengths: build quality, superb OS, simplistic use (gestures, and easy to close apps), loads of on-board storage, decent front-mounted stereo speakers, and HDMI out.

    As to why the OS is superb, it's stability, ease of use, simplicity, easy method of closing apps.

    Yes, I get, the OS perhaps hasn't always been so brilliant. And some of the apps either native, or available through App store, aren't necessarily either as impressive or expansive.

    But all the same, as a physical device, that's easy to use, with high-end build quality, and covers the basics email (adequately), browsing (pretty good), media playback (pretty excellent) for those sort of needs it is superb. When my parents were having issues with their new, yet hardly used iPad, and it had to go back for repair, I showed them my PlayBook, in terms of ease of use and simplicity - that was it, no more, didn't say "you should get one..." or anything like that, and they went out to get one - and I suspect they'll find it easier to use and more reliable than their pretty new, but truly hardly used, iPad.

    That wasn't something I'd have expected or predicted before owning one. I don't think there's any one tablet device that's a panacea. But whereas previously, I'd have probably advised an iPad for the older, perhaps not as tech savvy, users, there are some situations, now, where I believe the PlayBook makes a very suitable alternative.
    01-15-13 09:05 AM
  19. bobauckland's Avatar
    says who? Cuz it's not what I see on so many forums... Please don't generalize your hate like that...
    Its not generalising hate, its generalising the fact that everyone who Ive convinced to get a 9900 and a PlayBook is now really disappointed with their purchase.
    Again, if people thought it was halfway decent, at the prices its available at, theyd be sold out.

    funny, I use many apps at the same time, with no slowdowns whatsoever... Right now, 6 are opened. But I'm also working at the same time.
    I never found 6 worthwhile apps on my PlayBook, thats my point.
    Im surprised youre working on the PlayBook, I found it to be the least work friendly tablet available.

    My aunt picked one up for $100 CAD vs $249 for the Nexus and $329 for the iPad Mini.
    So youre saying the only good thing going for it is the price? Its cheap, yes, its cheap cos it doesnt do anything.
    If I sold you a brick for 50 dollars that would be even cheaper, but whats the point if it doesnt actually do anything?
    01-15-13 09:19 AM
  20. Wongsky's Avatar
    So youre saying the only good thing going for it is the price? Its cheap, yes, its cheap cos it doesnt do anything.
    If I sold you a brick for 50 dollars that would be even cheaper, but whats the point if it doesnt actually do anything?
    That's just hugely conditional and assumptive, though - predicated as absolute.

    "doesnt actually do anything" (sic) is such a crock - I use mine, daily, for email, general internet usage, listening to music, and watching video.

    Now true enough, there may be other uses I'd like to put it to, also - but none are dealbreakers.
    01-15-13 09:26 AM
  21. LeKeiser's Avatar
    Its not generalising hate, its generalising the fact that everyone who Ive convinced to get a 9900 and a PlayBook is now really disappointed with their purchase.
    everyone meaning you and your girlfriend?
    that doesn't seem to be a whole lot, huh?
    Again, if people thought it was halfway decent, at the prices its available at, theyd be sold out.
    judging by the numbers of good reviews on many website from new buyers, well, the PBs is selling pretty good.

    I never found 6 worthwhile apps on my PlayBook, thats my point.
    maybe if you hadn't been so blind, I'm sure you would have found more than a good 20 at least...
    Im surprised youre working on the PlayBook, I found it to be the least work friendly tablet available.
    that's what I said, you don't know what you're talking about you just don't like the PB and don't want to even try to change your mind...
    case closed.
    01-15-13 09:30 AM
  22. bobauckland's Avatar
    That's just hugely conditional and assumptive, though - predicated as absolute.

    "doesnt actually do anything" (sic) is such a crock - I use mine, daily, for email, general internet usage, listening to music, and watching video.

    Now true enough, there may be other uses I'd like to put it to, also - but none are dealbreakers.
    Guess dealbreakers mean different things to different folks.
    I asked earlier what you could do on the PlayBook, aside from flash videos, that you cant do on the competition. Still havent had an answer.
    If you use your PlayBook for email management, and have a BlackBerry as well, Id be very very surprised.
    I couldnt bear to wait for the app to load on my PlayBook, it took absolute ages, the 9900 manages email FAR better than the PlayBook solution.

    everyone meaning you and your girlfriend?
    that doesn't seem to be a whole lot, huh?

    judging by the numbers of good reviews on many website from new buyers, well, the PBs is selling pretty good.


    maybe if you hadn't been so blind, I'm sure you would have found more than a good 20 at least...

    that's what I said, you don't know what you're talking about you just don't like the PB and don't want to even try to change your mind...
    case closed.
    You can try and be clever but youre coming across as pretty lame at the moment.
    Its more than just 'me and my girlfriend', I convinced a good 4 people to move to BlackBerry, OS6 and OS7 devices, and 1 other person to move to PlayBook. Course now Ive moved to an Android device, and got my wife to move as well, and everyone else is still pissed theyre stuck on legacy BBOS devices that dont do what the competition does at the same price point.

    Judging by the figures and the fact that its still for sale at fire sale prices, Id say theres plenty of evidence that PlayBooks arent selling, they arent selling because the software doesnt do what people expect in a business, or consumer grade tablet.
    The hardware, Ill stress, is pretty cool, Id say awesome even, particularly when it came out, but the software lets it down bigtime.

    Maybe if you werent so blind, youd look at what the competition offers, Ive spent less money on apps on both my iPad and my Android phone, and they both do far more than my Playbook or 9900 did, and the apps for BB were considerably more expensive.

    I know what Im talking about very clearly, and I know enough to be able to recognise the similarities, in launch, planning, hype, and overall feel on this forum, between BB10 and the PlayBook debacle, and thats worrying.
    Both were hyped to no end without clear specifics, in the PlayBooks case that fizzled out into no real payoff, I hope that doesnt happen with BB10 but theres no evidence so far that suggests history wont repeat itself.
    randall2580 likes this.
    01-15-13 09:51 AM
  23. RubberChicken76's Avatar
    Did you consider that those of the RIM fans who had a critical mind have left RIM related forums long ago ?

    That is, they don't even care to criticize anymore.
    Don't make sweeping assumptions like that ... there are lots of examples here of people who are BlackBerry fans but don't think everything RIM does is perfect in every way ...
    01-15-13 09:52 AM
  24. Blacklatino's Avatar
    Well, I'm enjoying mine. So, no. Not dissappointed at all.

    sent from my sexy PlayBook using Tapatalk2 (*_~)
    01-15-13 09:58 AM
  25. FF22's Avatar
    Fascinating back and forth.

    The device is not perfect but what device is perfect.

    If for no other reason, for its current selling price, as a couch-accessory, what more could one want. I can look up movies and actors/actresses in IMDB. I can check the news and weather. I can sit in the park and watch a movie with a bluetooth earpiece. With Kalemsoft (one of those apps folks claim the pb does not have) I can watch almost any video format and see subtitles. If you are not into earpieces, it has some of the best built-in speakers for a tablet. It does flash and yes, the browser can be a little slow - I can either stew about it or learn to live with it.

    If you've got a bb phone, Bridge is a marvel. Yes, I'm sure some folks can argue with that but some folks can argue with anything.

    Research helps. But I'm sure there are those who buy an ipad and find they are stuck with the I-everything world and its limitation without knowing it, too. Again, perfect devices don't exist. Fit it into your lifestyle or needs or your budget and buy the one that works for you. I've seen folks here who can afford pretty much everything and they have purchased pretty much everything - nice if you can do it. Most probably can't afford to wade through every device. Give accurate info and help those still looking choose honestly.
    01-15-13 10:04 AM
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