Improved Android apps support getting BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1

Of lately most news about RIM focuses only on its forthcoming BlackBerry 10 smartphones. So the news of a software update comes in as a welcome change.

The company has rolled out PlayBook OS version 2.1 update for its PlayBook tablet. This new update is free and is being pushed over-the-air. Consumer can also manually check for software update on their PlayBook tablet and install the same.

According to BlackBerry, PlayBook OS version 2.1 will add slew of new capabilities and security features to their tablet. In a blog post on Inside BlackBerry, RIM mentions three major reasons to upgrade, including enhanced Android apps support.

• Updated BlackBerry Bridge: Now you can view, respond and compose new SMS messages on their BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet when connected to a BlackBerry smartphone over Bluetooth. You'll also enjoy increased performance and speed of other BlackBerry Bridge functions as well. So you can do more, more efficiently. Txt away, my friends.
• Email and PIM Enhancements: You've asked for it and we've delivered portrait support for email, calendar and contacts, giving you the option to use your tablet in either orientation to message. This will definitely come in handy for those of you who enjoy thumb typing in portrait mode like I do.
• Improved Android Application Support: Includes Multi-Window Applications, Camera Support and In-App Payments. We all love a richer app experience, and with the improvements to the Android runtime, that's just what you'll get. Running the applications in separate windows allows you to multi-task between Android apps easier, and in-app payments will make it easier for you to enhance your app content. Game on!

The new update will also help PlayBook Users to encrypt all of their data on the tablet. Before this update, users could only encrypt corporate data. PlayBook OS 2.1 also brings with it a number of enterprise features.The BlackBerry PlayBook can now connect to the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion server over-the-air and get support for ActiveSync authentication.