I Want One Of These....

The BlackBerry Playbook has just been released in the US, and is due to land here sometime around June.

Smaller than the iPad, and with Flash included, it may not have the Apps that are abundant on the Apple, but it does have the web-browsing capability.  Making use of 'gestures' (the knack of swiping around the screen) to bring up menus, load apps, and switch apps, there have been quite mixed reviews from the so-called pundits.

There have been many comparisons made to the iPad, many of which I think are unfair.  They are both different machines; and whilst Apple have undoubtedly got it right in many respects; it doesn't mean no-one else can.  The PlayBook is smaller and faster than the iPad; and one area that nobody seems to disagree is the multi-tasking capability of the PlayBook - the ability to swap between apps.

As a tablet, it has been designed to stand-alone from the smartphones for which BlackBerry have become well-known.  However, through the use of a Bridge, it's possible to link the two together, and use the larger screen of the Playbook to do email, calendar and BBM.

It should be noted that, in the US release, email and calendar functions are missing.  I'm hoping they'll be included before being launched here; however, I don't see it as a big miss; especially as they are both in "the cloud" and accessed via the web.

It looks like a cracking little device; and this is the 30 second ad that RIM have just started in the States.

All I need to know is - when can I get mine.....

AFC Bournemouth - Two To Go

Oh my goodness.  What a roller-coaster ride those Cherries have put us on.  From 2nd in the league, they've been struggling recently; and have been clinging on to the play-offs, in 6th, for the last few weeks.

Finally, on Saturday, they managed to win, and claim three vital points away to Bristol Rovers.

Now, three points clear of 7th place, and their next opponents have nothing to play for, so, in theory, they should be able to make the play-offs.  And how sweet would it be, if they were to win a place in the Championship.

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself; but it's been a cracking season, and the true supporters have been sweating blood and tears as they watch the team ebb and flow; mistake after mistake as their advantage was wiped away.

So, more fingers crossed as we head for the finishing line.  Take a deep breath.......

Review - Amazon Kindle for BlackBerry

Reading.  That old chestnut.  I have written quite a few posts about books; whether the first books I read; or the physical versus electronic (e-book) book.

I have an iPad; on to which I've download the Amazon Kindle App; so I can buy books, and read them, easily from my armchair (or train seat!)

In the US, they released an Amazon Kindle for BlackBerry; which on their website they claim is only available in the US.  I have no idea why; as, last week, I downloaded it here.

Wow!! Now, I have my books with me all the time.  Standing on the station platform, I can read my book.  Not on the iPad, or even the actual book; but on my BlackBerry.  The beauty is, I can sync the bookmark on one device, and pickup from the same point on another.

I admit it's not the easiest screen to read a book; it's a little on the small side; but for a quick read, it's ideal.

So, what e-book are you reading at the moment?

Review - Amazon MP3 for BlackBerry

Do you have a BlackBerry?  Do you listen to music?

Do you listen to music on your BlackBerry?

The media player on the Torch is not bad (it's not the iPod) but for music on the move, it beats carrying two devices around.

I listen to my music during my daily commute; and whilst I don't pump up the volume so those around can hear what I'm listening to, I do enjoy the beat, and it makes the journey swing along!

I was very pleased to see that Amazon have produced an app, allowing me to purchase music right there and then, and download it to my handset.  Not only can I now listen to music, but I can buy it too.

If you're desperate to use your iPod, then you can sync the music with iTunes, and download to your media player.

Amazon always seem to do these things quite well; and their catalogue isn't bad at all.  They also offer a free track; every week; so you can try something new.

So, what have I downloaded directly to my BlackBerry?  The latest R.E.M. album "Collapse Into Now" which, personally, I think is great.  There is some great music; from a band that goes back years.

You can get the Amazon MP3 for BlackBerry app from their App World; it's free to download, and you never need to wait til you get home again.