What You Want Me To Do? I'm Sorry! I'm Back...And The Game Has Changed.

(Photo via antiquesweb.org)

It's been a while since I've dropped science in the form of a post. Shit has changed P&B faithful! Let's kick this off the right way: to all of our readers, thanks for hanging in. If you're anything like me you crave fresh information and the blog has been stale for a minute. We have some exciting things coming down the pipe which we will drop on you when the time is right. Please continue to come back and keep that subscription on lock.

Blunderbust? Jack White's Debut Album Review: The P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(Photo via weallwantsomeone.org)

T: So bro....seriously....are you not feelin' the Jack White rec?
T: For me...it's been a real 'half empty/half full' listening experience thus far
T: But the half I like.....I love!!
P: I'm on the same wavelength. I listened to it a few times and I feel like something is missing...like that Jack White swagger.

Balls Out: RIM Ex Co-CEO Bails Before 4Q Fiscal 2012 Earnings Announcement

(Photo via wallpapersgalaxy.com)

So much for the Captain going down with the ship. In true Schettino fashion, Balsillie retired from the company he helped to create as it continues to experience its fall from grace. Additionally, Newly minted CEO Heins cleaned up his shop, so we can all say goodbye to the current CTO and COO along with a handful of SVPs and VPs. Keeping with this theme, RIM bid adieu to their profits in the 4th quarter to the tune of a 125 million dollar loss. All in all, a shitty start for Heins who inherited a mess.

Everything comes down to BlackBerry 10, which is slated to hit the market later in 2012. So we're looking at 3 quarters of stale products before the next gen phone comes out (BTW RIM shipped 21% less Blackberrys in the last quarter of their fiscal year. Not good.). I really hope that any new phones they release between now and then will be compatible with the new OS (we all know this is not gonna happen).

RIM is betting the Waterloo on BB 10 and it better pay off. Or else you might buy your Samsung BlackBerry very soon.

-Paqman

Happy 1st Birthday, Paqman&Bull!

Turnbull & Paqman (Photo via us)

Well, it’s a bit of a belated birthday but here we are 1 year later and (hopefully) wiser. 276 posts, over 30,000 pageviews and hundreds of hours spent writing have come to pass. We feel that we're still refining our style to ensure we deliver the best product on the web while focusing on our mission: to be your source for insight on music, sport, and culture.

Instant Karma Got Me: Blackberry Playbook Lost and Found

(Photo via prweb.com)

I'm attending the Canadian Music Week conference for work and had a technology heart attack today. I was hanging out with my boy LC on the Mezzanine level of the Royal York Hotel, catching up on today's news. We left the spot and I accidentally left my Playbook on the bench where we were sitting. I NEVER leave anything behind, especially my beloved tablet.

Update - Do Or Die For The Blackberry Playbook: OS 2.0 Features and Release Date

UPDATE: OS 2.0 is available now! Go to settings (cog wheel in top right corner) on your Playbook, select Software Updates and press Check for Updates. The update will appear and should be about 400 MBs.

(Photo via mobilesyrup.com)

Word on the street is that the Blackberry Playbook OS upgrade to 2.0 is coming February 21st at 4:01 a.m. For those of you that own the device (I know I'm not the only one), this is welcome news as a truckload of new features are to be included. This will be newly minted CEO Thorsten Heins first major play and he will need to deliver this new software by the end of February at the latest or face the wrath of every media outlet, Blackberry nation included. As we patiently await its availability, here are the new bells and whistle that will bring the Playbook to the next level (hopefully).

From the RIM press release for OS 2.0:

Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss(es)?: RIM Shakes Up Leadership Structure

RIM's newly appointed CEO Thorsten Heins (Photo via rim.com)

After months of speculation and pressure from investors, RIM has shuffled the top of the hill as former COO Thorsten Heins takes over as President and CEO. Gone is the ridiculous co-CEO structure as Balsillie and Lazaridis are now Board members. This is great news for RIM as they now have stability and fresh blood in the driver's seat.

According to what I've gathered, Heins will focus on marketing RIM's line of Blackberry products, OS 7.1, the Playbook and BB 10, and delivering a proper consumer experience with clear communications. RIM's fall from grace is due to their inability to recognise changes in the market (come on y'all, you couldn't create a SWOT analysis and action it??) as Apple and Google swooped in to take their market share with friendlier, stable handsets. Heins will need to be aware of these changes or will not be around long enough for anyone to remember his name.

I wish Heins all the best as he takes the reigns of a company in flux. If he can focus on setting reasonable expectations and delivering on them, RIM will be in a very good position in the market. If he doesn't, it will be more "same old, same old" as consumer confidence will continue to plunge. Heins' first order of business will be to ensure that OS 2.0 for the Playbook is released by the end of February. If he doesn't deliver on this, he will have some rough times ahead.

-Paqman

Dissecting The Throne - Post-Show Analysis (Feat. Fabs the Fiancé!): the P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(All photos via esdevlin.com)

***We've invited Fabs into the chat for her insight on the show. She's a member of the P&B crew so make her feel welcome!! You can follow her on Tumblr here***


Fabiola: Sunglasses and Advil, last night was mad real

Meezy: Holy shit that's my story right now!

Fabiola: B-)

Young T: Welcome to the jungle made my night. I was happy from that point onward!

Quick Shot Review: Drake - Take Care

(Photo via aglobalculture.com)

I added Drake's Take Care to my Blackberry this morning (legally) so that I could sample the delayed and anticipated album. Singles, or leaks, are usually an indication of what we should expect from the official release. For Take Care, this is the case.

The feel of the album is dark and moody on my first listen. In contrast, I thought that Thank Me Later had more kick to it, with a great mix of ballads, bangers and everything in between. Based on what's been written about Drake's process in creating his sophomore effort, he took his time. And his meticulous and drawn out process is reflected in his work.

The main themes of the album are fame (don't hate) and the ladies. This isn't a shocking deviation from what he's released in the past. My feeling is that he could've expanded on what he previously established, but why fix something when it isn't broken.

So take Take Care for what it is. A deeper exploration into Drake's soul and his struggle with fame. It's a darker journey that you might not want to take more than a few times.

P&B Approved Cuts:

- Make Me Proud feat. Nicki Minaj
- Headlines
- Lord Knows feat. Rick Ross

-Paqman

Nothing But RIM: Blackberry Maker Misses The Mark With Playbook OS 2.0 Launch Delay

(Photos via rim.com)

I'm going to keep this as short and bitter as possible (click here for the original rant post). David J. Smith, SVP, BlackBerry PlayBook, from RIM announced yesterday that the Playbook OS 2.0 is "expected" to be available to the masses by February 2012. Which is fine, even though I was reeeeeeaaaaaaaally looking forward to getting the update this fall. And why would I even expect to get it this fall?

That's the expectation that was set by everybody's favorite hockey franchise hunting co-CEO Jim Balsillie during RIM's 2Q financial conference call. This is the same Balsillie that promised native email on the Playbook 90 days after launch. This is the same Balsillie that sets failed expectations for product and software launches. One of two scenarios are evident here: 1) Balsillie is living in his own world as he is totally disconnected from RIM's (add: the world's) current state and reality OR 2) the folks that feed him information are out to lunch, a literal gang of yes people.

The bottom line is that the biggest retail/consumer holiday is around the corner with no added incentive to buy the Blackberry tablet. The device has not sold well at all and the Kindle Fire will be good to go in November (with forecasted sales to be 5 million before the end of the year). Another opportunity lost as inventory collects dust. The underlying issue for RIM is the decline in confidence from both investors and consumers. Have you seen what happened to Netflix over the last few months as they changed their service, increased their subscription fees and re-branded (then flipped back) the DVD side of their business? They lost close to one million subscribers. Take heed RIM, this can happen to you as well. If I had a dollar for every Blackberry user that told me they were switching to an iPhone over the last two weeks, I would be in position to buy a majority stake in RIM.

-Paqman

In Which I Write a Letter To RIM Which Will Never Be Read (By Anyone At RIM)

(Photo via thesmythgroup.com)

Dear RIM and Board of Directors,

I've held out on writing this letter for quite a long time. Amid speculations of a takeover, the Playbook's poor performance, the disastrous 3rd quarter revenue announcement and parade of broken promises, I didn't post one negative word. Here we are now, as the BES/BIS service is back online where some customers were without service for 3 days...we all witnessed a fall from grace that is not slowing down. Stock value is shaky at best and RIM is becoming even more faceless thanks to a lack of solid customer service and communication. You've found yet another way to embarrass yourself. But, more importantly, you've embarrassed me.

The Enigma That Is the New Bon Iver Album: The P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

photo via culturebully.com

ATeezy: Hey man I gave the new Bon Iver record a listen on my drive up north last weekend. Its a real head-scratcher for me! I can't figure it out.

ATeezy: I think some parts are brilliant, but other parts I'm like "wtf I don't get it"

Paqman: I think that's it! I listened to this album at least 5 times and I really tried to like it cause I think Vernon is brilliant. It just didn't happen for me.

Paqman: I stayed away from checking out reviews so that I can develop my own opinion. Here are one of my theories on the final product: he had too many resources to work with. More instrumentalists. More toys. More money. More problems?

Hot Saucynisity - the Return of the Beastie Boys: the P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(photo via randyraisch.wordpress.com)

Turnbull AKA Tza: Bro I've finally given this new Beasties rec a listen. Wasn't sure at first but after a few listens it sound completely dope.
Turnbull AKA Tza: So nice to hear a rap "group" again. Nice lyrical trade-offs between MCs
Paqman: Agreed. That is their trademark. Did u check out the vid?

Digital Natural Selection: Evolve or Become a Virtual Victim

(Photo via warungkopiseesharpminor.blogspot.com)

The buzz word around the interweb these days is privacy (and its apparent unsecured availability). I conduct the bulk of my daily tasks online (and on my BlackBerry) like millions of other plugged in citizens of this increasingly virtual world. There have been 3 major breaches that have sounded the alarm in the past month that should make you put your s%|t on lock down. If you don't take this seriously, you will succumb to Paqman's first law of Digital Natural Selection: the virtual ecosystem is a living, evolving environment, and you should adapt to its changing landscape. If not, you will become a victim (as your information will be used maliciously and your funds will become extinct).

Enter the Blackberry PlayBook

(Photo via blackberry.com)

After some delay and anticipation, the Blackberry PlayBook is now available for all of the crackberry abusers of the world. RIM's tablet has been received to mix reviews. The most common knocks on the device that I've read are the screen size (7 inches compared to the iPad's 10) and incomplete software options (lack of email support and access to BBM). The PlayBook app store is very bare at the moment. You can expect the software to start rolling out at a rapid pace.

Wherein Lupe Fiasco Can find No Love in this House - "Lasers" Review: the P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(Photo via kingsrowe.com)

Paqman: Are you feeling the new Lupe?
Turnbull aka Tza: No not at all. Disappointed actually
Paqman:  Disappointed is the right word. What the hell happened? A lot of folks out there are digging it. I don't get it.

"Angles" by The Strokes: the P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

Turnbull aka Tza: Yo Paq, I'm finally getting a chance to listen to this new Strokes rec...it's got that percussive guitar "jangle" we know and love from them doesn't' it? I thought the first single wasn't bad...nice & catchy. What do you think man?
Turnbull aka Tza: Such dynamic changes in some of the songwriting...3rd track "Two Kinds of Happiness" is pretty ambitious man....reminds me of The Cars at certain points.
Paqman: To start, I don't know much about the Stokes. I kinda dismissed them after hearing their first few singles off their major debut. I did see their performance on SNL which featured some new material and I thought they were cool. Sooo why not give the new release a try? They write catchy shit and I can hear tons of singles. "Under the Cover of Darkness" and "Taken for a Fool" stood out to me as cuts with charting potential.