A source recently let a rumor slip that part of this new partnership RIM has launched with Microsoft would be very prominent on the PlayBook in more than just Bing. The source mentioned that RIM is actively working to bring Microsoft Office Suite to the PlayBook. Currently, they are trying to decide in what way will this be implemented on the tablet. The question is whether or not these will be web apps of 365 or solid apps on the device. Pricing and availbility are also up in the air to whether this will be pre-loaded as a trial or if this is a download from App World.
The most interesting note is that it looks like there may be an option for Outlook on the PlayBook and RIM is currently deciding if that could be a replacement for a native email app. This could be why we are still waiting on native PIM on the PlayBook. Take this with a huge grain of salt, but we could see this finalized in the next few months.
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This would be a massive win for the Playbook (as a “Professional Grade Tablet”), if true. I’m almost afraid to get my hopes up, but if this comes to fruition, then roll-out of Playbooks to all the lawyers in my firm will be a lock.
Why would Outlook be RIM’s choice for native email? They have to write a native email program for their upcoming QNX phones, so why wouldn’t there just be a modified version of that for the PlayBook? Unless you’re saying there’ll be Outlook on BlackBerry phones too… in which case I’m out of here… haha. I haven’t used Outlook in years since Gmail just seems to be way more flexible and convenient. Last thing I want is to go back to MS bloatware. Having a non-BlackBerry native email client also seems like it’d erode BlackBerry’s security reputation.
As far as other MS Office apps, I don’t need ‘em but others may. I personally can’t imagine doing much “work” on a PlayBook or any other tablet. I have a computer with two 24″ monitors and even that seems cramped at times! lol
Not me
Anyone else participate in Blackberry research questionaire yesterday that covered this exact topic, including if it should be preloaded with trial period or available via BB App Store?
They have a research survey about it? Any chance you still have it or pictures?
Nic I will see if I still have link and forward it. The questionnaire covered all of the ms suite – importance of each, whether they should be downloaded or resident with trial or resident with upcharge. Also asked preference for native email designed for playbook or outlook.
Wow! Good sign if they’re already sending out materials like that. Or bad sign because they couldn’t make the decision either way themselves. Anyway, if you have anything feel free to email it to me: [email protected]
I didnt buy a playbook its lack a office suite. For our students this will be great. I think many students will buy a playbook cause of its size and office suit. Playbook can count me in if the becomes a fact!
That’s a good point.
The PlayBook is the perfect size for students.
10″ versions are way to big, and will become distracting.
Personally I’m holding out until something like this is confirmed and/or ready. Anybody know if Android has a productivity suite now that the Android Player has been leaked?
this is awesome news, and yes, it would explain the ridiculous delays and zero details on the \someday soon\ native email app.
But to be able to utilize the office suite, we first need to have a proper keyboard with shift, ctrl, del and navigation keys. editing a spreadsheet with my giant thumb stabbing over and over again to get the cursor in the right position to type or delete text. so far, I’ve had to give up on any degree of accuracy with the thumb stabbing and I just have to delete and retype an entire line of text in order to fix one character. Oh and cut&paste needs some work too. its a bit hit and miss at best if the keyboard doesn’t cover what you are selecting and if you have to scroll to select a large portion of text, don’t count on it all making it to your clipboard and into the document you paste to.
it is an editor’s nightmare.
Good luck, I hope it works out. I’m still in a love/hate relationship with my Playbook. can’t go anywhere without it, can’t put it down. but at least once a day I come \this\ close to firing it through by front window.
Michael
You are a violent guy Michael.
I have a PlayBook, and have used it every day since April 19th.
I use it mainly for surfing the web while I am out back on my deck.
Love it !!!
I am new to BlackBerry, I had to get a new phone and as I liked the concept of the Playbook as opposed to the almost ‘censored’ iPad, I opted for a Torch.
I think MS Office would be great as an option with maybe a trial built in. It should also be available on the BB App Store as a trial. Not everyone likes MS Office, personally I have migrated to Windows Live Mail as it is free and I did not want to purchase MSO again.
Hopefully it would have a realistic price tag. Let’s face it, nobody would buy it if it costs as much as their Playbook. Having said that, price could be the stumbling block regarding seeing this idea come to fruition.
By the way, I love both devices and particularly that there are plenty of options for developers.
John
I too have been using my Playbook since April 18, 2011. I love the product and hope the QNX platform survives through these dark days at RIM. It would be unfortunate to see Apple and Google (and perhaps Microsoft) rule the tablet world. A little competition is required.
I think if Office were available, Playbook would become the tablet of choice for enterprise. Eventually, I could see myself connecting it to a screen and keyboard at the office through my Playbook and never, ever carry a laptop with me again.
Daniel
A friend let me know that signing up to the Office365 trial and then using the web app works really well so far. Looking forward to a native app.
I’d love to get a full blown office experience and a outlook version of some sort on there to. even to complement RIM version too.
If they can get office on there. It will sell a whole lot more tablets. DO IT RIMM!