RIM unleashes PlayBook OS 2.0

The second major iteration of RIM's PlayBook operating system was released today, bringing features many would have liked to have seen in the first version.

In particular, an integrated email client has been added in PlayBook OS 2.0, allowing users to lump all their emails together in one place, as well as messages from social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Calendar and contacts applications also bring in data from social media, so users can tie all valuable information into a single app.

Those with BlackBerrys can use their phone to link up with their PlayBook via Bluetooth, syncing content between the two so content is viewable on a larger screen.

Half a year (thinking optimistically) in the smartphone space is an eternity.

A remote control feature allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for the PlayBook.

There's also support for Android apps repackaged for sale in BlackBerry AppWorld, addressing some concerns over the quality of software available for RIM's tablet.

PlayBook users can download the software today, free of charge.

"Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet's proven 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," said David Smith, senior vice president for mobile computing at RIM.

As for business support, RIM also made an initial release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion available today. It gives IT managers a single web-based interface to provision, audit and protect BlackBerrys and PlayBooks, as well as iOS and Android devices.

The general release of Mobile Fusion is scheduled for late March 2012. iOS and Android functionality is expected at some point later in the year.

Craig Cartier, analyst for ICT practice at Frost & Sullivan, wondered whether it was "too little, too late" for RIM, but was positive about the potential impact of the PlayBook 2.0 release on RIM's fortunes.

"The Playbook updates are sorely needed, and should have a positive effect on both Playbook sales and RIM's brand perception. And the brand will need that boost, as the new Playbook software seems to be the only major update coming from RIM until the much anticipated (and much delayed) Blackberry 10, due in the latter part of 2012," Cartier said.

"Half a year (thinking optimistically) in the smartphone space is an eternity, however. Nokia can attest to the detriment of idle time during a market share slide, as their own struggles with the Symbian platform and new Microsoft partnership have left this other traditional market leader far behind in the smartphone era."

RIM has struggled to sell PlayBooks. In December, the company revealed it had sold around 150,000 tablets in the third quarter ending 26 November, down from 200,000 in the previous quarter.

At the time, the mobile maker warned it would fall short of its financial targets, partly because of the weak PlayBook performance.

A price drop in the UK and elsewhere may help it post better figures next time around.