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RIM to release PlayBook OS 2.0 mid-February, still struggling with multi-device BBM support

Published Oct 25th, 2011 9:35AM EDT
BGR

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BGR reported exclusive details of RIM’s upcoming BBX-based smartphone code-named the BlackBerry Colt earlier this year, and we have since heard that there is going to be a big emphasis on video calling with the company’s first super smartphone. This obviously means the device will feature a front-facing camera. As far as the BlackBerry PlayBook goes, RIM recently demoed OS 2.0 for the PlayBook, an update to the original OS that brings Android app compatibility along with native email and PIM access. As we reported before, however, there were tremendous obstacles that have prevented Research In Motion from shipping native email, calendar, contacts, BlackBerry Messenger, and other core system apps on the new QNX-based operating system. RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said during the company’s last earnings call that the PlayBook would see an update in October but unfortunately, RIM is still struggling with these challenges. Hit the break for more.

RIM has never allowed more than one device PIN per BlackBerry account, so it hasn’t been possible to use both your smartphone and PlayBook PIN for your email or BlackBerry Messenger at the same time. We have heard that RIM is trying to take a page out of Apple’s new iMessage service and make BlackBerry Messenger work much the same way on both your BlackBerry and PlayBook, but “that isn’t happening” according to our source, and right now RIM’s solution involves “two independent BlackBerry Messenger apps with different contact lists.”

This issue, combined with others, has caused the release of PlayBook OS 2.0 to be delayed until mid-February 2012, we have been told. One specific date we have heard is February 17th. It also seems like employees within RIM aren’t exactly excited about this new OS update, but we’ll have to wait for it to be released to give it a go ourselves.

A RIM spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jonathan S. Geller
Jonathan Geller Founder, President & Editor-in-chief

Jonathan S. Geller founded Boy Genius Report, now known as BGR, in 2006. It became the biggest mobile news destination in the world by the end of 2009, and BGR was acquired by leading digital media company PMC in April 2010.

Jonathan is President of BGR Media, LLC., and Editor-in-chief of the BGR website.

What started as a side project at the age of 16, quickly transpired into 24-hour days and nights of sharing exclusive and breaking news about the mobile communications industry. BGR now reaches up to 100 million readers a month through the website, syndication partners, and additional channels.