BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Video Chat

RIM's newly launched tablet computer, the BlackBerry PlayBook, is getting video chat, the company announced this morning at its BlackBerry World conference in Orlando, Florida. The app, which works over Wi-Fi only for now, lets users callt heir contacts from their Video Chat contact list, or by entering in the BBID email address of the person they want to call.

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The new application, arriving later this week via an over-the-air update, supports a notifications feature which alerts you to incoming video calls. You can then accept the call as either a video or voice call, or decline the call altogether. A "Do Not Disturb" feature is included as well, so video calls do not interrupt you when you're doing other things - like watching a movie, playing a game, or, we suppose, actually working.

With Video Chat, you'll see a picture-in-picture display so you can preview your image before placing the call. You can also switch cameras during the call, in order to show your caller what you're seeing around you. A mute feature and call logs are available, too.

To maintain a list of friends and colleagues available for calls, the app ships with a Friends List feature which lets you list your contacts, associate a picture with their contact entry.

RIM says the app will begin to roll out starting on May 3.

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