BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 may arrive February 17
updated 01:15 pm EST, Sat January 21, 2012
PlayBook 2.0 could have settled schedule
The BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 update could have a firm release date if a rumor late this week bears fruit. While multiple anecdotes of RIM's relayed to BerryReview had pointed to the exact middle of February, the site claimed to have a "very solid source" pointing to February 17 as the upgrade date. The schedule would have the release appearing five weeks after RIM gave its last public preview at CES.
RIM is unlikely to confirm the timing in the immediate future, although it has previously said that the tablet's big firmware upgrade was coming sometime in February.
PlayBook 2.0 finishes the software for the device and adds features that RIM promised about a year ago. It adds native e-mail, calendars, and contacts with a high amount of control and integration. The interface has also been given some important revisions, such as the addition of iOS-style folders, easier management of running apps, and a unique trick to use a BlackBerry smartphone as a hardware keyboard for the tablet.
Technical issues around device counts and ID are keeping RIM from introducing BlackBerry Messenger to the PlayBook in at least the 2.0 update.
