After what seems like an eternity of misleading assurances and tried patience all round, Research in Motion (RIM) has at long last afforded its ailing BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet the email functionality – the lack of which contributed to its lukewarm reception last year.
The new email application comprises one of the many new elements offered by way of a new OS update made available this Tuesday, which is free for all users to download.
Ahead of the BlackBerry PlayBook launch in April 2011, analysts and observers had earmarked the device for great things and perhaps the most worthy competitor to the unstoppable iPad. Unfortunately, such optimism was immediately laid to waste when it was discovered that the PlayBook could only send and receive emails if the user connected the tablet to a separate BlackBerry phone.
This rather bewildering oversight caused most to conclude that RIM had rushed along the release of the PlayBook and launched the device before it was in fact fully complete, which was followed by a string of assurances that the necessary updates would soon follow.
‘Soon’ apparently meaning late February 2012…
On the bright side, PlayBook owners in huge numbers will now be able to use their devices as fully functional independent tablets, bringing them right up to date with other leading tablets.
However, analysts have been quick to point out that any such updates at this stage in the game are simply too little too late and regardless of the way in which efforts and intentions may be noble, it may now be simply impossible for RIM to make up for lost time.
