Playbooking

I recently acquired a Blackberry Playbook.

After the Ipad arrived, a sudden host of competitors appeared out of nowhere with alternatives, usually at a lower price I might add. The Playbook is one of them. And I don't care much for people who say they all copied Apple's design. That's like saying all PC towers cannot be the same shape. The way I see it, a small rectangle is the best shape for a tablet. And besides, what's more important is what it does, right?

So how does the Playbook 'measure up'?

Well, let's start with the things I like. At 7 inches it's small, and that's handy for the businessman. It's has an excellent multitasking facility - you can comfortably run any 5 programs at once and the performance won't even be slightly affected. HD screen, excellent sound quality, lightweight...these are all good points,

What do I really like? Well, it comes loaded with a basic version of Microsoft Office, and that is heaven for anybody who writes a lot or works with excel spreadsheets on a regular basis. Sure, you can buy apps for the app stores for other tablets but this one is already on there.

Messages can all be centralized into one folder - from as many sources as you wish. Facebook, Twitter, email...all in one place. And you can choose to view them separately or all together. Sweet.

The real clincher is the Blackberry Bridge facility. Connect to your Blackberry phone and you can manipulate either device with the other, view your BBM\emails\contacts, and best of all, use your Blackberry's data plan to surf the net free of charge (if you have one of those Blackberry data plans).

Downsides? Well, the app store isn't as large as Apple's but they are incorporating Android apps in on a daily basis, so it's getting there. And...well that's the thing. I can''t think of a downside. It's sleek, fast, reliable and easy to use.

Perhaps it is fair to say that you really maximize the use if you have a Blackberry phone. But even without said phone, there's still plenty to be had on the device. And its cheaper than that damn Ipad.

Should you buy one? If you have a Blackberry phone, yes, no question. If you don't, look around, but I really do think it's a serious contender. I would have it over an Ipad even without the phone. Next year RIM are said to be launching a 3G one. That will be fantastic.

Right, my customer advice for the week is done. What else is happening?

I have a tour in a few weeks with K, Ray and The Bird - love touring with them. After that a production for a week and a half, and then my first drum workshop at Paul Bothner Music. More on that closer to the time.

Peace and love.