Should RIM Forget About the Playbook?

This past week there was some noise in the mainstream media about the possibility of RIM scrapping the Playbook (like HP recently did with its short-lived iPad competitor).   See this National Post article for the story and RIM's denial: http://business.financialpost.com/2011/09/29/did-rim-scrap-the-playbook/

I bought a Playbook back in the spring and also bought an iPad2 in the summer.  In trying to compare the two I make a point of using both every day.   There certainly are things to like about both.   For the Playbook, the smaller size is more portable, the browser works on all websites (even those with Adobe Flash) and the display is crisp and sharp.

The iPad2?  Certainly the biggest advantage it has is the wealth of applications from the iTunes store.  The Playbook still can't compete with both the breadth of the apps plus the functionality of the apps (some apps that are available for Playbook don't have the same capabilities as equivalent apps on the iPad).   Also, because the iPad's display is larger the on-screen keyboard is bigger and easier for typing by clumsy fingers.   The auto-correct is better on the iPad as well.  Sure, sometimes it makes crazy guesses but at least it is trying to guess.  The autocorrect on the Playbook seems to give up much more easily if it even tries.  

Which do I like?  The answer I guess is that it's the iPad2 I carry with me every day.  I read the paper, take notes, do e-mail, browse the web, and work on it every day.  I haven't quite reached a point where I can leave my laptop at home but it's getting close.  

So, back to the question... should RIM give up on the Playbook?  In my opinion, definitely NO!   It's way too soon.

According to plans announced when the Playbook was initially released, you eventually won't need a Blackberry to provide e-mail access to the Playbook (please hurry on that one).  Plus, you will be able to run Android apps on the Playbook.   That's a biggie because the Android app community is more competitive with the iTunes App store.  

So, RIM, if you're listening (and I doubt it), don't give up yet!  But, pick up the speed.   With Amazon's entry into the tablet market it just got a little more crowded... but we need competition and innovation in the tablet market place.

Is Anyone Else Getting Anxious for the new iPhone?

I am. Apple has, as usual, been very quiet about plans or features for the new iPhone but tidbits are starting to leak out. Check out the article from the NY Times today at the link below:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/alleged-iphone-5-images-begin-to-surface-online/?ref=technology