Research In Motion (TSX: RIM) announced that the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will be released for download today.
The BlackBerry maker promises the marketplace that this version of the PlayBook OS will enable users to utilize the tablet device in new ways throughout the day, at work in a Bring Your Own Device scenario and at play.
David J. Smith, senior vice president of mobile computing for RIM, said building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s Web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support.
They are:
Integrated email client with a unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 users have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as personal and work email accounts.
Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry Bridge is an app that provides a Bluetooth connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry smartphone (including BBM, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, you can take documents, Web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience that the company claims is quicker. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a PlayBook.
Improved mobile productivity: The OS will have updated document editing functions, a new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry Balance. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion that learns how you type will also be part of the new OS’s package of features.
New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World, RIM said in a statement (including a range of Android apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store is also launching today. Enhanced Web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.