Review - BlackBerry PlayBook Apps

OK.

I know I haven't had it for long, but too often the so-called pundits have complained about the lack of apps available for the new BlackBerry tablet.

So, to try to redress the balance, here are my views on a handful of the apps available:

Bluebox
I've mentioned Dropbox in a previous blog, and this is an app to access Dropbox files, on the PlayBook.  It's a neat app, which allows you to download, upload, move, delete and more, your files from a central storage location.  You can access Dropbox files from almost anywhere (unfortunately, it's blocked at my work!)





Instaphoto

I discovered this the other day, and it's a great app for adding filters to photos.  There are 25 to choose from, anything from gothic, to the 60s, Polaroid, faded; you name it, there's a filter to add that je ne sais quois to your pictures.







GeeReader
If you use Google Reader to follow those news items you want, then this is a great addition for the PlayBook.  I love getting my news on the go; and have a news reader on my phone.  This is the equivalent and it works beautifully.  What's more, because of the flash capability, I can open the video reports too!





Doodleblast
Couldn't resist including a game on here.  The PlayBook comes pre-loaded with Need For Speed and Tetris; but this game is a tricky little teaser.  You are presented with a number of obstacles and a box at the bottom of the screen.  You also have a bottle of ink; with which you have to draw lines to direct the balls that fall, into the box.  It's not as easy as it sounds; and each level reduces the amount of ink available.  It's extremely addictive.


That's only a small selection; and as time goes on, I may well bore you with more reviews!

Thespian Tendencies

It might have escaped your notice that I was recently in a show!  It was an amateur production; songs from the shows, sketches; that sort of thing.

I say it was amateur; only in that we did it for the love of it.  However, the professionalism shown by everyone involved, in conjunction with the theatre where we put it on; made it a highly polished show.


It was the first time I had ever been involved in anything quite like it; being the shy, retiring, type that I am!!

So, I went to the first meeting; attended the auditions, and rehearsals.  There was certainly some commitment needed, and towards the opening night, tiredness creeped in with the later nights.  The people were wonderful; and I was accepted into the group straight away - I met some extraordinary people.

BUT - it was amazing. I had an fantastic time and learned a lot.

I learned that I can step up and do these things.  It gave me a new level of confidence.
There was another reason for doing this; I wanted to show my children that it is possible to do it - with a little (alright, a lot) of effort, you can be part of something great. I wanted them to see that performing is nothing to be afraid of.

When the curtain opened, the butterflies were fluttering around; however, after the start, I just enjoyed myself.  I hope that enjoyment came across.  The audience seemed to soak up the acts; the solos, the big chorus numbers and the sketches.

The show ran for three nights; and it was a shame when it ended.  However, the reviews and feedback were fantastic.

I'm looking forward to hearing about their next production; who knows, maybe I'll get involved in that too.  Apparently I look quite good in eye-liner!!!

Co-incidentally, this week my son has been in his school play - I'm off to see it on Monday night.  By all accounts, it's a great play, and all the children have worked very hard too.  He has worked hard rehearsing his lines at home and I can't wait to see it. I know he'll make me proud.

Have you ever taken part in a show, large or small?  What was your motivation for doing it?  Would you do it again?

Review - BlackBerry PlayBook

OK. I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and write a review about the BlackBerry PlayBook.

I wrote recently about how I wanted one; and so, I went out and got one.  Having read all the reviews I could find, and seeing how many were quite disparaging; then getting the opportunity to actually use one; I couldn't understand the negative comments.

So, here, for what it's worth, is my personal view of the PlayBook.  I have the original iPad, so will compare against that (but I know the iPad 2 offers slightly better specs).

Build and Size
The PlayBook is solid.  It's half the height of the iPad (in portait) and the same width, weighing just 425g (under 1lb)

With a 7" screen, offering a resolution of 1024 x 600, it's a great size for carrying around.

There are 4 external buttons - the power switch, and media controls (start, pause and volume +/-)
I've read complaints about the power switch being too recessed. RIM must have heard, because on mine, it's flush with the body, which is ideal.

There is a headphone socket, and along the bottom, a micro USB port, a micro HDMI port and a port for a fast charger.  It's not possible to expand the memory; like the iPad, it's a fixed storage volume.

Operating System
RIM went back to the drawing board when they designed this baby.  Using the talents of the folks at QNX, they have designed an OS that is so fluid and intuitive, I'd be surprised if it doesn't surface on their smartphones in the not-to-distant future.
Running a dual-core 1GHz processor, with another 1Gb of RAM, this is a quick beast.

With full Adobe Flash built-in, this is a machine that shows the web they way it's meant to be seen.  That's one thing that the iPad can't do; and is a major selling point.

Whilst I'm talking web, I also compared the speed of loading websites, and the PlayBook was quicker on every site I tried.  A definite winner.

Since there is no 'home' button, everything is operated through the use of 'gestures'.  Swiping across the screen (up, down, diagonal) brings up various context-sensitive options, keyboard and settings.  The bezel (the black screen surround) is part of this, and is a clever use of the otherwise wasted space around the screen.

The fluid way the apps switch; not to mention the true multi-tasking ability, makes this a beautiful tablet to operate.  The web browser allows for multiple tabs too.

Media
Offering 1080p HD video, and two high-definition cameras (3MP on the front and 5MP on the rear) the picture quality is flawless.  There is no flash.

The built in media player is good; but I have to admit that the iPad has the advantage.  Watching a film, the sound and picture quality is great; however, the iPad remembers where you are when you stop watching; and resumes where you left off.  The PlayBook doesn't do that.  It's not a big thing (and in the grand scheme is certainly not a deal-breaker!)

On the subject of sound, the PlayBook offers stereo speakers - a definite improvement on the tinny speaker on the iPad.

The initial release of the PlayBook is Wi-Fi only (3G is due later this year) and it works very well.  It's possible to tether any mobile phone (via bluetooth) to get online, or use a Mi-Fi dongle outside of a Wi-Fi area.

Of major criticism has been the lack of native calendar and email applications.  I thought long and hard about this, and tried the BlackBerry Bridge that RIM devised.  This allows you to pair the PlayBook with your BlackBerry and use the applications on that.  It's a clever idea, and it works. You can also access files on the smartphone.  Once the connection is cut, the access to the apps is removed.

Cleverly, you can use this bridge to access BBM, and use the larger screen and keyboard to write messages.

Apps
The other criticism is the lack of apps.  These days, the world of tablets is governed by the applications available for it.  However, allow me to counter this by saying, when the iPad was released, the majority of apps were for the iPhone, and didn't scale properly on a larger screen (take facebook as an example).  Over time, apps were built and Apple have managed this to great success.

No-one is pretending that BlackBerry will grow to the heady heights of the App Store; but there are apps available for the PlayBook; and with the promise of an Android player, then the number of apps will increase quickly.

There's plenty more I could write, including being able to wirelessly update the software, copy files wirelessly between the PlayBook and PC; and the fact you're not tied to an ecosystem like iTunes.

It's a beautifully designed tablet.

To all the Apple fans out there; who just want to knock something that isn't created by Mr Jobs; take a proper look at how a tablet can be all things to all men (and women).

A Lot On My Plate(s)

Here's something you may, or may not know.  I made a big deal about it on facebook when it happened, but thought I'd tell my story here too.

About six weeks ago I was stopped by a very lovely policewoman, in her car, who told me that my number plates were illegal.  Now, I knew this (the spacing was incorrect) and it was just a matter of time before I was pulled over.  However, I hadn't counted on there being a fine! I thought maybe a friendly warning, and I'd get them changed.

It must have been a slow morning, because the officer decided to write me a ticket, with a fine of £60.  Sixty quid for illegal number plates!! Then, add on the cost of the replacements (another £35) and all-in-all I well and truly paid for the misdemeanor!!

Imagine my horror when, three weeks later, I had a phone call, from my sister-in-law, which went something like this:

"Hi Jools.  I've just driven passed your car. Did you know your number plates are missing?"
"WHAT?"
"Both, back and front are missing"
"WHAT?"
"They were there an hour ago, so must have been taken very recently"
"WHAT?"

I think you get the drift.

Some thieving little (deleted expletive) had removed my number plates.  It's not a quiet back street.  It's a busy corner, with traffic passing constantly.  The nerve of some people.

Guess what? That'll be another £35 to replace them!!

I called the police to report it - I had visions of an early morning visit by the boys in blue, after a car with my plates had been used in an armed robbery, or some other equally outrageous stunt!

I gave all the details, and they told me not to worry - "oh, but expect to be pulled over, as now it's on the system you may get stopped - again!!"

Needless to say, as yet, I haven't been stopped, and I haven't been made aware of them being involved in any crime.

I must say, the crime squad have been quite attentive, with weekly phone calls to update me, and remind me that my plates might still show up somewhere - can't complain about the service.

So, if you see my number plates on a car similar to mine; check to see who's driving - if it's not me, then call the police and tell them.

If it is me; then a friendly wave will do.

Hey Fever.....

Notice the play on words in the title?

Hayfever.... something that over the last few years I have suffered quite badly.  Nose streaming, eyes streaming, scratchy throat... all the symptoms that tell me summer is here.

This year, however, has been quite different.  Just as quickly as it started, this year I have not suffered.  The strange thing is, I don't know why?

Having said that, we're having another strangely sun-less summer. Yes, there have been sunny, cloud free, moments; but what happened to the sunny days I remember when I was growing up?

There was a time when you could guarantee that June, July and August would, in the main, be sunny.

NB - I did grow up on the south coast, so maybe my memories are slightly biased towards a southern summer!

Even Wimbledon is wetter than in the past (thank goodness for the roof).

So, my hayfever hasn't returned this year; but the summer is absent too!