Leak locks in BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0's February 21 update
updated 06:40 pm EST, Fri February 17, 2012
Mobile Fusion app to launch on same date
A new leak appears to confirm February 21 as the release date for RIM's PlayBook 2.0 OS. In a posting by Engadget, collateral, apparently either published by RIM or one of its resellers, clearly indicates the update will be available at 4:01AM on that date. A second posting indicates that RIM's Mobile Fusion enterprise management tool mobile devices will also be available on the 21st.
Rumors of the Playbook OS update timing began surfacing earlier this week. Yesterday, RIM itself slipped into a webcast a reference to the 21st, but the company later claimed that although it would be arriving this month, no actual date had been set. This latest leak contradicts the company's backtracking.
The long awaited PlayBook 2.0 update represents a major update for the tablet operating system. It brings to the device native calendar, messaging, and e-mail. The latest leak hints that the updated OS will allow users to "Run Android Apps Natively," although it's actually referring to the app wrapper rather than direct support.
BlackBerry Mobile Fusion is a tool for IT managers. It lets administrators remotely track BlackBerry phones and tablets, and then configure them and even wipe them clean or lock them if necessary. A beta version of the software was distributed in November. Initially, the new release will support only RIM devices. Some time next month, however, the app will be enhanced to control Android and iOS devices as well.
