CES 2012: BlackBerry unveils PlayBook OS 2.0

Update designed to make RIM's tablet more attractive to enterprise buyers

RIM used the CES show in Las Vegas this week to try to revitalise its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet business by unveiling an update to the device's operating system.

The company said BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 allows users to manage their personal and work email accounts together, as well as information on social networking sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

The ‘tabbed email' option allows users to reference one email while they compose another and the tablet OS can also set out-of-office messages and email signatures.

Another new feature is a ‘people-centric' calendar application that allows users to view the calendar by who they are meeting on a particular day and contact information that can be automatically consolidated from social networking sites.

Perhaps of more interest to enterprise buyers is the fact that RIM is claiming to offer increased control and manageability of corporate data.

RIM said that several pieces of software originally designed for its handsets can now be used on the PlayBook. These include BlackBerry Mobile Fusion – on-premise mobility software that can manage BlackBerrys and other devices that use the Apple iOS and Google Android operating systems – and BlackBerry Balance, which is designed to secure business data.