RIM launches its new BlackBerry Playbook tablet this week. The 7-inch device runs the QNX operating system and is designed to tether with a BlackBerry handset. We received our review unit from RIM on Tuesday and have begun putting it through its paces in preparation for our full review. Here are some initial thoughts.

The Playbook hardware is quite good—it’s got a great feel and robust build quality. The core software experience has some compelling features, but still leaves much to be desired. It has good support for multitasking and offers gesture-based interaction that removes the need for physical buttons. The launcher and other integrated software components offer acceptable usability and a decent look and feel.

Read the comments on this post

Go here to see the original:
Out of the box: first look at the BlackBerry Playbook