play books

Performing a security wipe, also called a factory reset, on the BlackBerry PlayBook is a fairly straightforward process. Resetting the device to a like-new state is ideal if you want to sell your PlayBook, or if you are running into issues and want a fresh operating system install. … Read more

If Research In Motion is going to take a scalpel to its work force, it should start at the top.

Monday's move to cut 2,000 jobs is designed to cut costs--RIM calls it a "prudent and necessary step for the long-term success of the company." But for RIM to remain in the game as a major player in the wireless industry, it needs to look at its management structure.

With two chief executives and two chief operating officers, RIM is the epitome of a top-heavy company. You've seen the consequences over the past few years: … Read more

It may not be good enough for the likes of AT&T or Verizon Wireless, but the U.S. government is giving a thumbs-up to Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

RIM said today that its PlayBook has received Federal Information Processing Standard certification, which means it can be deployed within U.S. federal government agencies. RIM said no other tablet on the market has gained certification from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including Apple's smash-hit iPad.

"This certification demonstrates our continued commitment to meeting the needs of security-conscious organizations and enables the U.… Read more

Apple's iPad is still the top tablet in terms of shipments, but its share has dropped lately against a crowd of competing devices, according to a report out today from Strategy Analytics.

For the second quarter of the year, Apple grabbed 61 percent of the global tablet business, shipping a record 9.3 million iOS-based tablets. Though still a healthy chunk, that number was down from the 94 percent share the company scooped up a year ago.

Those results aren't exactly surprising, however, given that the market has been flooded lately with rival devices from the likes of Samsung, Motorola, Acer, Research In Motion, HP, and a slew of other vendors.

Apple itself reported yesterday that it shipped 9.25 million iPads during its fiscal third quarter, which ended June 25.

Android-based tablets soaked up 30 percent of all global shipments in the second quarter, according to Strategy Analytics. However, no one single Android tablet has yet come close to matching the appeal of the iPad, and demand for many of these tablets is still "patchy," the report noted.… Read more

This week, we poll everyone on their favorite online music service, and find out why New Yorkers can't get the latest and greatest in streaming TV services. Plus, we've got some Spotify invite codes to give away!

Bonus: Download the show's jaunty theme song as a free MP3 here.

… Read more

An anonymous Research In Motion employee has penned a devastating open letter to the company's senior management.

The letter was posted on Boy Genius Report by a reportedly "high-ranking" employee who bemoans the company's current "chaotic" transition period. (Boy Genius Report said it has verified the identity of the writer.) The writer's main objective is getting co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie to seriously consider his or her suggestions to stop RIM's slide into irrelevance in the mobile industry.

The beginning of the letter:

While I hide it at work, my passion has been sapped. I know I am not alone -- the sentiment is widespread and it includes people within your own teams.

Mike and Jim, please take the time to really absorb and digest the content of this letter because it reflects the feeling across a huge percentage of your employee base. You have many smart employees, many that have great ideas for the future, but unfortunately the culture at RIM does not allow us to speak openly without having to worry about the career-limiting effects.

Before I get into the meat of the matter, I will say I am not part of a large group of bitter employees wishing to embarrass us. Rather, I believe these points need to be heard and I desperately want RIM to regain its position as a successful industry leader. Our carriers, distributors, alliance partners, enterprise customers, and our loyal end users all want the same thing...for BlackBerry to once again be leading the pack.

… Read more

Research In Motion has reportedly put the brakes on a 10-inch PlayBook tablet and is instead focusing on a new BlackBerry "superphone," according to enthusiast site N4BB.

Previous rumors had pointed to RIM launching a 10-inch follow-up to its current 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. But N4BB said yesterday that it had received "word" that the company has changed its mind and has stopped development on the new tablet, citing the focus on the new superphone as the reason.

Though the alleged superphone has no name or launch date at this point, N4BB listed some of its … Read more

The calls for Research in Motion to reconsider its current executive structure are getting louder.

Today major shareholder advisory group International Shareholder Services (ISS) added its voice to the mix, telling clients they should support a proposal to split the company's CEO and chairman roles. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie are co-CEOs and co-chairmen of the Waterloo, Ontario-based mobile computing company.

"The board's mandate is to represent the interests of shareholders through overseeing management and instilling accountability...Conflicts of interest may arise when one person holds both the Chair and CEO positions," ISS said today, according to Bloomberg. … Read more

Research In Motion has slashed its internal sales target for its BlackBerry tablet due to weak demand, DigiTimes reported yesterday, citing information from Taiwanese supply chain sources.

For the second quarter, RIM now expects to sell 800,000 to 900,000 tablets, down from its original goal of 2.4 million units, according to DigiTimes.

The PlayBook kicked off launch day in mid-April with strong sales of 40,000 to 50,000 units. Since then, demand for the tablet has softened, said the sources.

Though RIM may not reach its original sales target, the PlayBook has still sold well enough … Read more