Interfacing on the PlayBook

A computer isn’t a sealed box; it’s being able to connect with other peripherals and data sources that makes it most useful. This can often be a problem with tablets, which often have limited connectivity because of design constraints, or like Apple, insist on proprietary connections for all their equipment. BlackBerry PlayBook is comparatively well-connected for a tablet.  Let’s look at some of the ways that you can connect with the Blackberry Playbook.

The first thing you’ll note is that the PlayBook has a micro-HDMI output. As was noted in this BlackBerry Playbook review:

"With a mini-HDMI port it can do a few tricks that even the other tablets can’t match"

This port lets you connect to TVs, digitally equipped projectors, and other forms of external monitor; in order to work, output presentations, or watch videos or games. Like a laptop, the PlayBook can mirror its own display, letting you use your applications on a large screen; or it can drive the external screen as a separate monitor for application output. This latter leads to two great things about the PlayBook; it can run the external screen at up to full HD (1080p), and it can also stream full HD video to it while remaining totally usable for multitasking apps (thanks to the PlayBook’s advanced video acceleration chipset).

The PlayBook also has a micro USB connection, which lets you  sync your Playbook with a PC. The most common use for this is going to be copying files to the Playbook, whether they are office documents for use with Documents To Go, or media files to play. The BlackBerry Desktop application allows you to move files over USB. It also has a file-drop facility that can quickly transfer a file to the PlayBook over Wi-fi, if you don’t have time to plug the device in.

Finally, the PlayBook has Bluetooth, which is not only used for phone/3G tethering and the secure BlackBerry Bridge communication suite (if you are using a BlackBerry) but can connect an external mouse and keyboard, if you would like to use your PlayBook in this way.