CES 2012: RIM updates BlackBerry PlayBook

The BlackBerry PlayBook will finally get its own email software from next month, its maker, RIM, announced at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

The new BlackBerry PlayBook operating system will allow it to recieve email without being connected to a BlackBerry smartphone. The lack of built-in support for email has been one of the main criticisms that have dogged the iPad rival since it was introduced last year.

RIM also said a new operating system for its smartphone, version 7.1, would be available from today.

Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said at CES 2012 that "with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 we are building on this strong foundation, as well as leveraging our strengths in communications, social integration and productivity, to allow people to use their BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day."

The update will add native email to the PlayBook and will finally remove the need to tether the device to a BlackBerry phone.

A new unified inbox will allow users to mix work and personal email accounts, while multi-tasking will let users have multiple email messages open, either in plain or rich text.