RIM shows off native email client for PlayBook

The PlayBook tablet, intended for both consumer and business users alike, shipped without a native email client and is still without one after practically 6 months in the market. The promised 2.0 firmware update was originally scheduled to be launched before this year’s end and would finally include a native email client, but the update has since been pushed back to February 2012.

Although the email client is still a long ways off from release, RIM took its time today to demo the functionality to the public, along with a new calendar and contacts app, at the BlackBerry Innovation Forum. Blackberrycool.com was onsite during the event, claiming that the new email, calendar and contacts clients all seem to be very clutter-free and should make the February 2012 deadline launch with no problems.

In particular, the email client layout bears a striking resemblance to that of iOS and Android, which isn’t to say that it’s bad, of course. The calendar app functions as what one would expect, but busy days that are cluttered with user notes will appear relatively larger than days that are less busy onscreen. Meanwhile, the contacts app is nothing too special as it still allows users to store a variety of numbers, websites and addresses.

With Ice Cream Sandwich already on its way, there is pressure on RIM to provide a smooth 2.0 update upon release, or risk falling behind further in the tablet race.

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