BlackBerry’s PlayBook tablet can also make video-calls! Research In Motion’s new tablet, the BlackBerry Playbook, supports video chat through its front-facing camera. Research In Motion has started to pushing out a software update version 1.0.3 for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and should be rolled-out to all users out there in a matter of days or weeks. This update brings a series of new features – Video Chat, BlackBerry Messenger over Bridge, home screen browser bookmarks, and document editing over Bridge. BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat will be available through an over-the-air software update and via the BlackBerry App World app store. RIM also stated that there are many bug fixes packed in the update, specifically for the browser.
The users who purchase a new BlackBerry PlayBook will automatically upgrade after activating their new tablets as part of the BlackBerry PlayBook setup operation. The new Video Chat application lets the users to make both voice and video calls over the Wi-Fi connection.
In PlayBook’s video chat options, you’ll have a contact list, picture-in-picture capabilities and there would be a little notification that will pop up when you’re receiving a new call. You can also switch between the front and rear cameras on the PlayBook in the middle of the call. You can also set yourself to a “Do Not Disturb” mode if need be and mute audio if you need to take another call.
Download
Users need to use the Software Update utility in the Settings Menu to download and install the software update v1.0.3.
The update is weighing at the size of 300MB. The whole update process should not take more than 15 minutes to completed. After the installation is completed, a new application icon for ‘Video Chat’ appears. The Video Chat app lets the users to sign with a BlackBerry ID and now the users can make video calls or audio-only calls to the other PlayBook users over a Wi-Fi connection.
So the PlayBook owners can download it over-the-air through an update, or by checking into the BlackBerry App World.
[Source: RIM]