Nerdberry debates against eWeek.com

 

eWeek.com has just published a nice little article giving you ten reasons why you should pass up the Playbook.  Now I am going to counter offer those ten reasons with 10 reasons you should. In Italics are eWeeks reason, in bold are mine.

1. The iPad 2 is better

Try and compare the iPad 2 to the BlackBerry PlayBook, and it’s hard to choose to the latter. For one, the iPad 2 comes with a larger screen size. It also has an operating system that the market knows quite well. Moreover, the iPad 2 comes with 3G connectivity built-in. In far too many ways, the iPad 2 trumps RIM’s alternative. And for many customers, that’s enough for them to choose Apple’s tablet.

Yes, the iPad does have a huge screen, great if you’re blind, bad if you want to carry it around.  The Playbooks 7″ screen makes portability not so much of an issue.  In case you haven’t read anything before, QNX is a very reliable OS, has been tested in consumer testing, as well as corporate.  In fact you use it without even knowing it.

This was taken off the QNX.com website:

Over the past 30 years, QNX software has become a big part of everyday life. People encounter QNX-controlled systems whenever they drive, shop, watch TV, use the Internet, or even turn on a light. Its ultra-reliable nature means QNX software is the preferred choice for life-critical systems such as air traffic control systems, surgical equipment, and nuclear power plants. And its cool multimedia features have QNX software turning up in everything from in-dash radios and infotainment systems to the latest casino gaming terminals.

If you can trust the items that can potentially save your life, charge your Apple product, fly it with you in an airplane, we have bigger issues.  Remember when you see an Apple commercial, you’re watching it on a tv powered by QNX.

The iPad2 does have 3G connectivity.  What they fail to mention is the data plan you have to purchase to use that 3G.  According to TCGeeks.com you have 2 choices:

Verizon Wireless

• $20 – 1 gigabyte
• $35 – 3 gigabytes
• $50 – 5 gigabytes
• $80 – 10 gigabytes

AT&T

• $14.99 – 250 megabytes
• $25.00 – 2 gigabytes
• Postpaid option

Both have Wifi connectivity.  Tethering is also available with a BlackBerry.  4G is expected in Q2 of 2011.

2. The 4G option is coming

Why should customers opt for the Wi-Fi-only BlackBerry PlayBook when they know that 4G versions that are capable of connecting to LTE and HSPA+ networks will launch later this year? In order to connect to the Web while on-the-go with the soon-to-be-launched PlayBook, users must tether the device to a BlackBerry. It’s not convenient and that could prove to be a liability for RIM.

 

4G is such a wonderful thing.  If you look at most public places, 90% of them have free Wifi.  In turn to that there is no additional MONTHLY cost to use a 4g, and why are we even debating on something that doesn’t exist yet?  If you’re on the go, you tether with a BlackBerry, which in turn makes your data transfer secure with the BlackBerry BBOS.  I’d prefer security to a small inconvenience.

3. The 7-inch display is a problem

Small displays are a problem in today’s mobile marketplace. Yes, RIM is saying that the 7-inch screen on the BlackBerry PlayBook will help make the device more mobile for enterprise customers. But, that’s not likely to convince buyers in either the enterprise or consumer markets. Larger displays make all the difference in the tablet space. It’s why Apple has a 9.7-inch display and the Motorola Xoom comes with a 10.1-inch screen. As Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted in an earnings call last year, 7-inch displays just don’t cut it in the tablet space.

Steve Jobs, isn’t he the same guy that “tried” to tell consumers that the BlackBerry had antenna issues?  When that didn’t work he went after Android.  After that, why would you believe anything he says….oh that’s right….he’s paid to say that’s to small.  The fact that the screen is 7″ is hardly a problem.  Mobile products are made to be mobile, to fit in tight places and to be PORTABLE and CONVENIENT.  Carrying around a floor tile sized tablet is a lot of things but convenient isn’t one of them.  NEXT!

4. Will the enterprise like the OS?

RIM has said that the BlackBerry PlayBook is designed with enterprise customers in mind. But perhaps the company should reexamine its focus. The corporate world is resistant to change and it likes working with a known quantity. The BlackBerry PlayBook will run QNX Software’s Tablet OS. It’s an operating system that has yet to be used in the wild. And although RIM has said that testers are happy with it, the corporate world will be suspect of a brand new operating system. Unfortunately for RIM, it probably should be.

The corporate world already uses QNX.  Did you read above?  iOS is a known software.  I’ll give it that.  According to Wikipedia iOS was unveiled in 2007.  I guess that close to 30 years if you are counting in dog years.  QNX has 3 decades behind it.  How much more reliability do you need to make a point?

5. Apps could be a problem

RIM has said that its BlackBerry PlayBook will support applications. That’s a good thing. However, the chances of RIM coming close to matching the 65,000 apps available to the iPad 2 seem awfully slim right now. Over time, RIM might be able to catch up. But until its platform can match the iPad 2 in the total number of available apps, it’s probably best to skip the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Yes, the amount of Playbook apps is limited, it is a new item.  HOWEVER….it is said that it will run Android apps. 152,653 android apps are out right now.  You are right 65,000 apps is slim Apple developers should get moving if they are going to compete!  Seems like Apple is looking to be not so good of a choice!  Over time Apple might catch up, until then it probably best to skip over Apple products.

6. Android-based devices are compelling

There are some folks out there that have no interest in getting an iPad 2. But rather than pick the BlackBerry PlayBook, they might be better off with an Android-based tablet. Devices like the Motorola Xoom come with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, an operating system that bridges the gap between the desktop and the mobile market with full tabbed browsing, an Action Bar for better productivity, and more. Plus, the slate of Samsung Galaxy Tab units, including one with a 10.1-inch display and another with an 8.9-inch screen, look awfully compelling, as well. Simply put, the alternatives look to be even more impressive than the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Are we doing the screen envy thing again?  Ok, I can’t really fight this one, I need tabbed browsing.  But I would like it on a tablet I can fit in my POCKET!  I’m not blind, I have really good vision, why do I need a foot wide screen??

7. The timing is off

One of the biggest issues with the BlackBerry PlayBook is the timing of its launch. The device will be made available more than a month after the iPad 2 and just weeks and months before some of its more compelling alternatives. RIM should have either released the tablet earlier or done more to impress the market and launched it later. This in-between time could come back to haunt RIM.

Yes it did come out after the iPad2, but where is the problem coming out with it before the other units come out?  Isn’t that the point..beat the competition?  Maybe the other tablets should have been faster to come out.

8. The corporate world might prefer the Cius

Though it might be the first enterprise-focused tablet to the market, the BlackBerry PlayBook won’t be the last. The upcoming Cisco Cius could prove to be the device the enterprise is after. It will run Android, feature the same 7-inch display as the BlackBerry Playbook, and according to Cisco, deliver even more enterprise-friendly features. Some companies would be smart to wait and see the Cius in person before opting for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Most major corperation are using BlackBerry because of its security.  I don’t see companies risking secutiry for a whole lot.  Besides the fact, if Cisco trusts QNX shouldn’t you?

Who uses QNX?

Customers rely on QNX to help build products that enhance their brand characteristics – innovative, high-quality, dependable. Global leaders like Cisco, Delphi, General Electric, Siemens, and Thales have discovered QNX Software Systems gives them the only software platform upon which to build reliable, scalable, and high-performance applications for markets such as telecommunications, automotive, medical instrumentation, automation, security, and more.

9. It’s pricey

The cheapest BlackBerry PlayBook, which includes 16GB of storage, will be on-sale for $499. Those who want the 32GB or the 64GB options will need to pay $599 and $699, respectively. The only issue is, the devices are priced the same as Apple’s Wi-Fi-only iPad 2. And as mentioned above, Apple’s alternative offers much more value to customers. Based on that, it would seem that the BlackBerry PlayBook is overpriced. And that won’t help its sales.

Do I really need to go there?  I will let the picture speak for itself.  This picture is a screen shot of the AT&T website.  It’s double the price when not on sale.

10. What’s the key killer feature?

Take a look at the BlackBerry PlayBook’s specifications and try to find a single feature to point to that will sell customers on the device. The iPad 2 has iOS. The Motorola Xoom has its large display. The BlackBerry PlayBook has, well, nothing that can best any of the others. It’s a huge issue for RIM. And it’s arguably the biggest reason the average customer should skip the BlackBerry PlayBook and find something else worth buying.

This is actually my favorite one.  Let’s see what the Playbook has.

5MP rear 3MP front camera.  Double the RAM of iPad; 1GB in the PlayBook.  14.4 oz as opposed the the almost 2 lb iPad.  These 3 items are just a snippet of what the Playbook bring to the table while th iPad weighs as much as the table.

Source: eWeek.com