tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350615477223042844.post1441434765536019888..comments2011-12-04T18:05:00.569-08:00Comments on PlayBook Geek: Quick Review of the RIM PlayBookCraig Statchukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06011269533066563137noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350615477223042844.post-81535864120299406972011-04-20T20:36:45.066-07:002011-04-20T20:36:45.066-07:00I should have been more clear about my USB use cas...I should have been more clear about my USB use case: I want to use USB drives to quickly move data on and off my PlayBook. The Micro USB port will need a dongle - not ideal.<br /><br />Anyway... I took my shiny new PlayBook on a business trip for the last day an a half. Connecting to open hotel WiFi was flawless. But I could not connect to my LEAP secured corporate WiFi. Still trying to figure that one out. <br /><br />It would have been nice to take extra data files on USB keys or SSDs but it was not a show stopper either. I just connected the USB cable to my Mac and was able to transfer files in a few minutes.<br /><br />I tested PowerPoint presentations via the HDMI port. It worked fine. Most but not all animations work No big deal - it works about the same as Keynote for .ppt files- about 99% accurate. The PlayBook actually saved one of my presentations today when the stage PC didn't have sound for a video I was showing. I just started the video on my PB, turned up the volume - and ta da, we had sound.<br /><br />POP Email is important for non-business users. RIM shouldn't ignore them. They might be the best PlayBook customers down the road. Look at BB popularity with teenagers! Similarly, RIM should embrace non-BB phone owners. I am very happy using the PB with my iPhone. I will write about some of the unexpected advantages over the next few days.Craig Statchukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06011269533066563137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350615477223042844.post-27319495522492566402011-04-20T07:09:21.730-07:002011-04-20T07:09:21.730-07:00Nice geekreview Craig. A few points:
USB connecto...Nice geekreview Craig. A few points:<br /><br />USB connector – sure it’s there. A Micro USB (and a micro-HDMI connector too). Connect the USB to your computer and it charges the PlayBook battery. Run the BlackBerry Desktop software on your computer and you can back up your data, and sync your media like an MP3 player. Makes it easy to swap media files among your computer, PlayBook tablet, and BlackBerry smartphone (if you have one… what!? An iPhone!?).<br /><br />Also, when connected, a PlayBook mapped drive appears on your PC. You can open up the file system and copy, paste, delete, and mess around with the files as if it’s a flash drive. Don’t want to connect with cables, you can do this wireless with Wi-Fi file sharing. Just open up an Explorer window and navigate to the IP address your wireless router assigned your PlayBook, as in \\ipaddress\devicename.<br /><br />Email – forget about POP email clients for now. If you have a BlackBerry smartphone, you can use BlackBerry Bridge and your email, calendar, contacts, tasks (all your Outlook stuff) syncs with the tablet via Bluetooth. You can read and reply to your email on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and the read/unread mail will always flagged the same. Keeps you from going insane.<br /><br />3G wireless – the whole point is to use your existing BlackBerry data plan. Well, you have an iPhone (or several) so you use Wi-Fi. But most geeks would have their PlayBook automatically detect some frequented Wi-Fi hotspots, and when none are within reach, Bluetooth with a BlackBerry smartphone. So you can browse the Internet on the PlayBook using the phone’s 3G. The phone and tablet are always paired, so there’s no need to reconnect.<br /><br />Oh, and one more geeky thing to do… play Need for Speed in bed with ear phones plugged in (yeah, the white Apple ear buds will do). To see the power of the symmetric multiprocessing, try playing it while minimized.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773190800563470024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350615477223042844.post-36342582151439956992011-04-20T07:01:21.805-07:002011-04-20T07:01:21.805-07:00Hey Geek:
I thought these things had HDMI and mic...Hey Geek:<br /><br />I thought these things had HDMI and micro USB ports. If so, have you tried hooking it up to an HDMI monitor with an external mouse and keyboard? I.e. can it replace the big ugly pc on the desk?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16940682902840960304noreply@blogger.com