Report: PlayBook To Launch Without “Core” Native Apps

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Tim Higgins

It seems as if RIM will be launching its long-awaited BlackBerry PlayBook without a suite of "core" native apps

"In a future software update for the BlackBerry PlayBook, we will also provide native e-mail, calendar, and contact apps for those customers who prefer to have these apps directly on the tablet," the mobile company recently confirmed in a statement obtained by CrackBerry.

Although it seems odd that RIM will debut its tablet without essential native apps, CrackBerry’s Kevin Michaluk attempted to put a positive spin on the rather glaring oversight.

"[This is] definitely good news for those of you worried that the tablet would be left without these native apps should you not have a BlackBerry to pair with it," wrote Michaluk." It makes sense that these do need to be there before the QNX software hits phones down the road. Hopefully this native support will be ready to roll when we see the 4G version of the PlayBook hits this summer or hopefully even sooner."

Clearly, the message sent by RIM is confusing. I mean, what is the point of launching a BlackBerry branded tablet without the native apps that fanbois worldwide have come to know and love?

Then again, to be perfectly fair, I’m not sure how much of an impact the (initial) lack of apps will have on sales.

BlackBerry enthusiasts will undoubtedly purchase the tablet no matter what. While consumers unfamiliar with RIM should have little problem accessing their contacts, calendar and email in the cloud, say with Google apps or the Web version of Microsoft Outlook.

Still, the lack of native core apps is definitely a glaring omission on RIM’s part that probably should have been avoided.

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