How to Run an existing SWF file on the BlackBerry PlayBook

Running your exisiting Flash application on a PlayBook is as easy as Drag Drop and Run.  PlayBook's browser serves as your Flash Player, so if you know how to copy files to your PlayBook, skip to step 4

1. Turn on file sharing, (you will need to set a network password here, this password should not be the same as the Password you use to access your PlayBook)
   
   
   
   
2. Connect your PlayBook to your LAN network, either at work or home.  (Your Playbook should resolve using its name, however you can always access it via the IP provided your computer and the PlayBook share the same network. Some corporate environments may not share the WIFI with LAN).
   
3. Open up your Playbook network drive. I have included a screen shot to illustrate :
   
   
   
4. Open your PlayBook Browser and type the follwoing URL ensuring you have 3 slashes after file:
   NOTE THE "Media" network share is known as "Shared" on the Playbook.
   file:///accounts/1000/shared/

Use your desktop Browser with the BlackBerry PlayBook Browser Webkit Inspector

Here is a quick step by step showing you how to use your Browser on your Desktop computer to actively inspect and debug webpages on the PlayBook Browser.

You need to ensure both your Computer and the Playbook are using the same local area network.

1. Open up your PlayBook Browser and turn on the WebKit inspector.  To do this, swipe down from the 
   
2. Go to the Privacy and Security Tab and select enable Web Inspector.
   
3. You will be asked to enter your BlackBerry PlayBook Password to activate the Web Inspector
4. Now open up the URL you want to monitor on your Playbook Browser. If you are using multiple tabs, note which tab number you are working with.
   
   
   
5. Now go to your favorite Webkit browser such as Chrome and enter in the following URL, Note you will need your PlayBook IP or Network Name and the Tab Position you want to inspect.
   http://[Your PlayBook IP or Network Name]:1337/inspector.html?page=[The Tab Position from the BlackBerry PlayBook you want to inspect]
   
   For Example http://davidsplaybook:1337/inspector.html?page=0 is the correct url to inspect the first Tab on my PlayBook Browser.
   

Once this is done you will see the PlayBook inspector window show up on your Desktop computer like the following screenshot:

Are you trying to decide between IPAD2 and PlayBook?

I too was in this dilemma, and I want to share why I ultimately chose BlackBerry's new PlayBook with QNX.

The PlayBook with BlackBerry Bridge will change tablets forever

Here is why:

Raw Power of the RIM Tablet

When it comes to processing speed: Playbook’s 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 is significantly better performance than the IPAD2, further dedicated 1GB of Ram for CPU intensive applications such as Flash mean the Playbook gives you laptop quality responsiveness.

Truly Mobile with Blackberry quality

The PlayBook is 30% smaller with a true grip rubber backing and an HD aspect ratio, you can hold this tablet in one hand.

Playbook is a multitasking delight that makes IPAD2 look like a toy.

Unlike IPAD2 which cannot really run even two applications  at the same time (without lots of hacks and trickery), Playbook lets you open up many applications and be using them all.
Example, You can be running a streaming application, and at the exact same time, use the spreadsheet application, while at the same time browse the web for data to add to your spread sheet.

Fast secure file sharing over WIFI with my Computers

Playbook does not have an SD card slot, however this is not a short coming; The reason is that PlayBook connects to your WIFI network and appears to your other computers like your PC or Mac as just another computer on the network. You can click on the “Playbook” on your computer open up its folder system and drag and drop files as you please.

PlayBook has the best tablet Browser and supports full Flash

The Browser on the Playbook is vastly better than Safari on IPAD2 and follows web standards to perfection. Multiple tabs, presentation mode etc. Further page rendering is much faster than Safari and I noticed its pixel perfect.  Also full support for CSS3 and HTML5 and Flash give you the real internet. From the Desktop version of Google Apps to flash intensive sites like LOGMEIN.com Playbook delivers.

I can share my Playbook with other co-workers

Another huge advantage for Playbook is that you can be share one device between family, co-workers, and even friends who happen to have a Blackberry Phone. Playbook uses Bluetooth to wirelessly access all information on your Blackberry and gives you BBM, Mail, Calendars, etc right from the Playbook. When someone else uses the Playbook, they let Playbook to connect to their Blackberry and voila The Playbook switches to their files and their information, will leaving your files safely on your phone.

No Cell phone contracts needed to use PlayBook 3G

For Cellular connectivity here is another cool thing. Playbook can run using the existing data plan on your Blackberry, you don’t need to get a second data plan, and what’s more, if your friend uses a different Cell company than you, (even a different network eg: CDMA, AWS etc) Playbook will still work. This is done through a cool innovation known as the BlackBerry Bridge which will keep your Playbook connected to your Blackberry even at distances of 30meters (100ft).

Apple's iOS is at the end of its lifespan, QNX is made from the ground up for next generation devices

Finally QNX is the Playbook OS is really the BMW 5 series of tablet OS’s. Compared head to head with iOS from Apple, iOS might as well be an entry level Ford Compact that is slightly used. QNX is based on the idea of running most of the OS in the form of a number of small tasks, known as servers. This differs from the more traditional monolithic kernel, in which the operating system is a single very large program composed of a huge number of “parts” with special abilities. In the case of QNX, the use of a microkernel allows users (developers) to turn off any functionality they do not require without having to change the OS itself; instead, those servers are simply not run.

I NEED a tablet that works like my laptop, not an APP that mimics flatulence

While there are not a million apps yet for PlayBook that will change fast. Anyone who makes Adobe Air Applications or makes Flash applications can run those APPS on Playbook. Flash is ultimately a faster platform than HTML 5 Canvas so expect new developers to choose the QNX based PlayBook.
On 3D power and graphics: there is no contest. Playbook wins.

I can use PlayBook for movies, and presentations from any 1080p big screen

HDMI: Playbook takes a standard Mini HDMI while IPAD2 is busy creating yet another expensive clumsy connector that likely will be one more useless wire when IPAD 3 comes out. http://youtu.be/BGate36hsZw
Bottom line: if you want a tablet good enough to replace your heavy laptop PlayBook is the only tablet on the market that will deliver the performance.

Amazing stereo speakers and full stereo mic recording with 2 1080p cameras

PlayBook's video and sound recording are astounding, and whats more the tiny speakers deliver really good quality sound. Playbook's cameras have a special "WhiteBoard" feature that is designed for capturing documents, and meeting and class notes left on a white board.

PlayBook is about to be the sleeper hit of the summer.  If you want a tablet to free you from your Laptop PlayBook is amazing.  If you have a Blackberry Phone, Playbook is an essential must have device.