Software : BlackBerry may (or may not) release PlayBook followup, someday |
| BlackBerry may (or may not) release PlayBook followup, someday Posted:  We haven't forgotten BlackBerry's brief and ill-fated foray into the tablet market, and apparently neither has the smartphone maker - but they won't launch a second attempt until they're damn good and ready. Pocket-lint reported that BlackBerry appears to be in no particular rush to unleash another tablet device on unsuspecting consumers, with one executive claiming the company simply isn't ready yet. BlackBerry's Vice-President of Global Product Management Francois Mahieu was in Barcelona this week for Mobile World Congress 2014, where he threw cold water on the idea of another PlayBook tablet right away. "Would BlackBerry consider one day re-entering the tablet market? Yes. Will BlackBerry do it in the coming months? No," the executive told Pocket-lint. 'We're not ready'The BlackBerry PlayBook launched nearly three years ago to mixed reviews and ultimately contributed to dragging down the company's fortunes as the unwanted tablets wound up being continually marked down to fire sale pricing. Recovering from that folly is one of many challenges facing new BlackBerry Chief Executive Officer John Chen, but the onetime smartphone giant isn't completely closing the door on a potential sequel to its unloved tablet. "I wouldn't be surprised if we have a meeting one day and I show you a tablet. We have equity in that space, but we're not ready. We need more time," Mahieu elaborated. Judging from the way consumers largely turned their backs on the first PlayBook, BlackBerry's lackadaisical attitude toward the tablet market is probably a smart move, especially considering how many heavyweight names have already thrown their hats into that ring.
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| Google Now Launcher app lands for more Androids, plenty left behind Posted:  Google Now has become a little more immediate thanks to the new Google Now Launcher app that became available for select Android devices today. Installing the app makes Google's contextual personal assistant one easy swipe away from the home screen. Sliding the interface left brings up all the app's relevant information. It also adds the "Okay Google" voice trigger to the home screen for instant voice-prompted searches. Previously, Google Now was buried within the home screen of most Android devices. This required holding down an on-screen home button and dragging your finger up toward a Google logo. Bringing Google Now to the forefront should give its Siri-rivaling capabilities more use among Android owners. Google Now for some, later for othersThe new launcher made its debut with the Nexus 5, but has broken out of the operating system and into the Google Play Store for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. That means while the new Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets running Android 4.4 are able to take advantage of the easier-to-access Google Now app, everyone else has to wait. We asked Google when other Android phones and tablets would be compatible with the new Google Now Launcher app and will update this story when we hear back.
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