By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Orlando, FL - There's a buzz here at the Marriott Orlando World Center in anticipation of this week's BlackBerry World which is the largest annual gathering for the BlackBerry ecosystem, and the place where the community behind BlackBerry devices, services and solutions gather to learn, share and network.
This one's a big deal. As Research In Motion prepares to unveil much anticipated new smartphone hardware later this year running on an entirely revamped BlackBerry 10 operating system, many believe can make or break RIM's future prospects for success in the smartphone market it created. This is their chance to rally the troops and create excitement for upcoming hardware and software.
This is my first time to attend a BlackBerry community and developer event and from the time my journey started at 4 AM in Toronto, I have seen more PlayBook tablets than I can remember. They were plugged in and being charged pre-takeoff in the airline lounges, some were being used on the plane to play movies or for Angry Birds Space (which is awesome on the PlayBook) and dozens are littered here in the hotel and conventiona area.
PlayBook Kiosks: Apple uses iPads in stores to sell products and RIM uses PlayBooks to register guestsRIM is using PlayBooks here as registration terminals.
Participants simply type their email addresses on the slates and then they can go pick up their badges at one of the booths.
I've also seen a profliferation of BlackBerry Mini Keyboard for the PlayBook being used by BlackBerry staff as well as participants.
The BlackBerry PlayBook is on everyone's minds here at BlackBerry World 2012, the heavily discounted dual core slate is one of RIMs bets for its future.
If that leaked BlackBerry 10 Development device is any indication of RIM's design direction then it is deeply rooted in the PlayBook and it's multi-touch QNX features.
I'll be covering the events as they unfold here in BlackBerry World specially tonight's Welcome Reception and tomorrow's Keynote with RIM CEO Thorsten Heins tomorrow from 9 AM to 11 AM Eastern (check out @gadjosevilla for a running commentary and liveblog).