A new BlackBerry exhibit showcases primitive RIM products (no, not the PlayBook)
With RIM-bashing at a high (naturally, we’ve done our share), sometimes we need a reminder that Research In Motion still has fans—and die-hard ones, too. Starting this week, tech enthusiast and curator Syd Bolton will celebrate the 13-year history of the BlackBerry in an exhibit at the Personal Computer Museum in Brantford. Bolton, who also owns Canada’s largest collection of video games, has gathered more than 20 BlackBerrys, including the delightfully archaic 850, which ran on two AA batteries and displayed eight lines of text. We admit, it’s nice to see BlackBerry getting some love—but museums tend to show relics from the past. Which makes it feel like BlackBerry has already been relegated to cellphone history. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »
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With RIM-bashing at a high (naturally, we’ve done our share), sometimes we need a reminder that Research In Motion still has fans—and die-hard ones, too. Starting this week, tech enthusiast and curator Syd Bolton will celebrate the 13-year history of the BlackBerry in an exhibit at the Personal Computer Museum in Brantford. Bolton, who also owns Canada’s largest collection of video games, has gathered more than 20 BlackBerrys, including the delightfully archaic 850, which ran on two AA batteries and displayed eight lines of text. We admit, it’s nice to see BlackBerry getting some love—but museums tend to show relics from the past. Which makes it feel like BlackBerry has already been relegated to cellphone history. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »){kind=link}
Did you just imply the PlayBook was primitive? If that were the case then every other tablet is just as primitive, especially the Kindle Fire.
I used to mock Blackberry phones because of their clunkiness, “only-for-business” look — and because my wife is forced to carry one for her work. But now that I picked up a Playbook I am sure that my next phone will be a BB10 phone when they come out. The Playbook is done so well and QNX software is so smooth. My brothers with their iPads were looking on with interest as I demonstrated it for them. I passed on my 16gig one to my daughter and convinced my boss that I needed the 64gig for work — he gave me the option of getting an ipad but I like the size of the Playbook so much more. I’m not surprised that Apple is looking at an 8 inch version.
If you think the Playbook is primitive then you haven’t researched it and are talking on misinformation. The Playbook is anything but primitive. I have used one since Aug and linking it with my phone I can virtually connect from anywhere. It will be even better once OS 2.0 is introduced. Both the size and function of the Playbook are great. I do not know anyone who owns one that doesn’t like it. If you want a gaming console then the IPAD is great. But for functionality the Playbook is excellent.
8 Inch Tablets are DOA!
I’ve never had a Blackberry phone – ever. But, I do have a Playbook and can say that I love it! It’s also the reason why my wife and I will be getting the new BB10 phones.
In fact, I’ve also considered getting a Playbook for her. I think the thing that impressed me the most was the sound and screen quality. I’ve also held other tablets and they feel cheap. The Playbook just feels right.
I own a PlayBook and love it. The OS is way better than iOS. You can do about ten more things at once on it then you can in iPad.
The only thing Apple has on the PlayBook is the number of apps – but that has nothing to do with Apple! It’s this Apple obsession. It drives me nuts. I feel like there are all these fruit cakes around obsessing over a tech company. It’s almost taboo to say anything negative about Apple – like would Toronto Life say something bad or would it be media death? I think it is garbage.
Have to agree with the commentors, I too was very impressed with the playbook and disgusted with the biased media trashing it.
I am not a blackberry phone owner but may consider giving up my Android when the new BB10 phones roll out, especially since Telus stopped upgrading Android OS for my HTC Hero, it wont be with Telus either.
Tired of….another ill informed media ass/arm chair quarterback making fun of our countries most successful and greatest technology asset. This is not Nortel redux. Get over it and stop trying to draw comparisons.
Any Canadian writing bad things about RIM should be ashamed of themselves for following the US herd. Yup, RIM is on different trajectory than other smartphone companies but thats what great companies do, they change or die. Where’s your spine and support for RIM and the 13,000 they employ when they need it most.
Get informed, get in the game, actually try one of this magical devices(Playbook)and then try some other tablets and you’ll see the Playbook is superior in almost every regard (fluid, fast,integration,secure, sound performance and convenient size).
Check out the amazingly positive reviews (Amazon/Best Buy) where people who own “other Tablets” actually love their Playbook more and are buying more of them.
Always easy to be cynical, hard to be informed….
the informer… an oxymoron?
I own both and have to admit was initially attracted by the “shiny” iOS look. Then got a Playbook for a flash-based presentations support, but quickly discovered the power and the convenience this device had to offer. Ipad is now with my daughter…
I think Ipad has a very nice user appeal (partially fueled by the media hype). Playbook is about the substance and this is a hard sell for many consumers. That is why Playbook mostly becomes a “revelation” as an alternative rather than an initial thought of the potential buyer. I think RIM needs to do a better job in making Playbook “cool” in the average folk’s eyes….
.. and I fully agree with InKing’s post. Look at the US’s “Apple rules” campaign in the media.. Instead of parroting their US peers the Canadian media should standup for the Canadian technology, which is on-par or better in may aspects. Just lacking a Hollywood-like publicity..
Another uninformed writer (check that; blogger. Writer’s actually do tedious things like fact-checking) bashing RIM products without knowing what they are talking about. RIM may go belly-up and whereas I certainly hope it never happens I do see it as a likely scenario. However the Playbook (especially with 2.0 being released this month) SMOKES any other tablet on the market today!!! Yes, including your darling iPad II. Before you start bashing why don’t you actually try to use the product first and maybe you’ll discover what anyone else has that’s used or purchased a Playbook: its awesome! Maybe, just maybe, you could even try out that archaic POS Bold 9900 and find out that its on par with 90% of the Crapple/Phandroid phones out there. Just sayin’
Love my playbook. Need a bb 10 phone :))
Sorry, Toronto Life has a point… Not only is the Playbook a cheap piece of junk, its also last years piece of junk (why else do you think they’re trying to get rid of them at cost at under half the original price?!?)
Old hardware, no apps, dodgy operating system that can’t do half of what other tabs can (Yes, we know about the new update… With EMAIL! WOW!) No thanks!
Had one for a week, returned it like most people do, and am quite happy with my ipad2 and my wife’s Galaxy Tab.
The Playbook DOES belong in a museum, lol!
(Could be fun to see the Storm again though, how time flies!)
Canadians bashing a Canadian company ? How unequally Canadian.
Love BBs, Loved Playbooks and can not wait for BB10. Enough of Ishiit…!! Just because RIM does not have cash as Apple to run multiple ads on this main stream media does not mean apple products better. In the end they can not fool consumers for long and real winner will shine all the way. Besides all above..I am new Canadian and if I can get job done with Canadian made product without paying more..why not ???
“With RIM-bashing at a high” yes with crap wannabe journalists like you around who can only get their stories read with negative press… I really don’t see how any magazine could publish this junk.
The worst part is, this moron pulled the story from the Toronto star. The original article is a nice kinda public interest story, and Mr. Mcinnis, somehow turns it into a RIM bashing article. Looking at his article history, he seems to do this frequently. And to prove his lack of intelligence, he can’t even get the link to the star right :/ Here the link for anyone interested.
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1130756–rim-blackberry-s-evolution-showcased-in-museum-exhibit
in may of 2011 i picked up a playbook. mostly because my iPad isn’t flash friendly and there are some sites that i just couldn’t get to. the playbook was going to be the thing i just had to check flash sites with and keep at home,
uu..Wrong.
its on the eve of the new 2.0OS coming and the fact is the playbook has been the tool i’ve taken to work since June.
i leave the iPad home so my kid can play, but as far as being productive, Playbook is “IT” for me.
plus, i also got a bb phone not long after that, and so does my wife. bb phone and playbook too.
@ Victor
Future will tell … but seing OS 2.0 as only a “email client” is just as fair as … nothing. Get informed about the bridge (new)capabilities, the DLNA support (yes … leaked already in 7.1.26x OS for BB phones), the PIM integration … and more : get some tech culture !
But you may stay with whatever you call novelty … even an ipod with phone capabilities (ok, this one is unfair too, lol, can’t resit: 40A)
I hope you were not paid for this article…….this is written on a level of a teenager passing in a school assignment….pathetic
Yes, you have done your own share of RIM bashing because you realize that you Canadians don’t have what it takes to be a player in the technology industry. It’s pathetic enough that RIM won’t hurry up.and die already, but that their own media has to play patsy to Apple.
The writer of the article seems to have fallen for the marketing hype around apple and the media bashing of RIM. This article is a little careless. I recently purchased a Playbook and love its functionality and speed. I have tried the exisiting IPads out there and they dont come close to the performance of the playbook. Once the new software upgrade and abiity to use androids app is made available this product will explode!
It just amazes me that no one is checking into the developing platform for RIM and that it is being overhauled using technology by Worldplay Networks (another Canadian technology)that is going to put it light years ahead of everyone. I guess this would disrupt the slander campaign by the hedge funds trying to manipulate RIM to be bought out or parted out.
I didn’t know until July that RIM was a Canadian company. It is a disaster.