Here's a look at the new features added to the BlackBerry Tablet OS for each update. Update info comes courtesy of the BlackBerry Blog. (Last updated on July 19, 2011)
OS v1.0.7
- More attachment saving options: Attachments can now be saved for viewing or editing to a removable SD card or a BlackBerry smartphone's internal memory via BlackBerry Bridge. Bridge also now provides access to zip attachments from e-mail.
- Portrait support: Yes, you can now view that flowery picture of you wearing an ascot in portrait mode. (Extra points if said pic has you holding a champagne glass with your pinkie raised.)
- Video pinch-to-zoom: Just like with Web sites and photos, you can now enlarge, um, certain sections of a video via pinch to zoom. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.
- Additional languages: Basque, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Galician, Hungarian, Bahasa Indonesian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese European, Portuguese Brazilian, Swedish, Turkish, Romanian and Russian are now supported.
Tablets sold after July 13 will have BlackBerry Tablet OS v1.0.7 installed. Current owners should get an update notification. Otherwise, just go to the Settings menu and tap on Software Updates.
OS v1.0.6
Added support for Adobe Flash 10.3 and Adobe AIR 2.7.
OS v1.0.5
So I'm finalizing my extended review for the BlackBerry PlayBook and lo and behold, Research In Motion releases another update!
Doh!
Still, while this means more work for me, the update is actually good news for folks who own RIM's touchy-feely device. For one, it addresses one gripe I had about the device: the inability to charge while powered off. Here's a list of other new features from the second PlayBook update, officially known as OS v1.0.5, courtesy of the BlackBerry Blog.
- Facebook App update: A new and improved version of Facebook is now preloaded, allowing users to upload video, delete messages, and do Facebook searches.
- In-App payment: Users can now do stuff like buy new game levels or new magazine editions within their respective apps. Translation to developers: Kaching!
- New charging options: Besides allowing you to charge while powered off, the update also adds a new notification when you use an incompatible charger. Touching the battery indicator on the top right also brings up a pop up where you can adjust brightness, turn off the device, restart or put it on standby.
- Additional languages: French, Italian, Dutch, German, Spanish, and UK English are now included. My request: please add Japanese support!
- WiFi hotspot: Automatic WiFi hotspot detection was also added to BlackBerry Tablet OS v1.0.5 to help folks connect easier when they're in cafes and airports.
- Video & audio update: Support has been added for TURN (Traversal Using Relay NAT) protocol. RIM says this helps improve Video Chat connections when crossing between a public network and an enterprise network behind a firewall. Additional volume levels also boost sound so people can hear better in loud places like airplanes. Just watch out for those slithering snakes on a plane since they'll be harder to hear now.
If you're BlackBerry PlayBook doesn't automatically update to OS v1.0.5 for some reason, just go to your Settings Menu and tap Software Updates.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a review to re-do.
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