BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 Soon to Receive Updates

Research in Motion previewed some upcoming features of the Blackberry Playbook 2.0 at the BlackBerry DevCon Europe event in Amsterdam.

One of the features demoed is Runtime for Android, which allows repackaged Android 2.3.3 platform apps to be run on the Blackberry tablet. These Android files have to be first converted to the BAR format, then checked for compatibility by developers.

Runtime for Android expands the possibilities for Blackberry users by giving them access to the long list of third-party apps that were once only for Android users.

Several new updates for Blackberry Bridge 2.0 were also shown during the event. Blackberry Bridge facilitates the communication between Blackberry devices, such as a Blackberry smartphone and the Playbook. For instance, a new functionality called Open on allows the user to open a file from the Blackberry to the Playbook by means of a single click.

Another novelty is a remote control functionality that allows users to access the Playbook via the Blackberry. Users can now, for example, use the Blackberry smartphone keyboard to key in text on the tablet. It is also possible to preview or share apps on the Playbook using the screen of the smartphone. Other updates include enhanced contacts and calendar views.

These updates will be available this February.

via pocket-lint