While several previous OS updates were looking like complete ROMs with their sizes of downloads in the region of ~500 MB, this one measuring mere 133 MB looks like a real "upgrade".
As with every upgrade, or update of BlackBerry OS, one can find plenty of users that seem to brick their tablets by incomplete/non-resuming download. Downloads without power adapter stuck in was not recommended from the day one. I'd be adding having a reliable, non-interrupted broadband connection would be a must for such delicate operation.
However, if something fails anyway, de-bricking procedures are well known. I never had a need in any of them for all 2 years I own my Playbook. Sure, there might be some defective Playbooks in circulation out there: if I remember right, Slickdeals was quoting some refurb 16 GB Playbooks for just $60.
My Playbook is not out of that number, and the upgrading went smooth. First impressions:
1. It could be a placebo effect, but my PB has become a tidbit more responsive to touch. Mind you, it wasn't bad at all before. So if it's just my illusion, it's a good illusion. Bing Maps seem to be more responsive (if still buggy like hell), Google Maps for Android Player is mostly feels the same: what do you want from an Android 2.3 emulation?
2. For many, the Playbook is famous for its browsing prowess. Sure, what's not to love out of record breaking 411 points plus 9 bonus points at HTML5test.com? (I will tell you what: it's not BB10 yet, with its 485 points). SunSpider marks of 2278 ms show the aging Javascript engine. Peacekeeper Futuremark that is greatly tooled for Chrome gives mere 192 points to poor Playbook (Chrome 24.x shows 1672 points in my Chrubuntubook. There are plenty of other benchmarks that can show very quantitatively that Playbook's browser is very low on their scales. Let them...
3. WebM, WebGL support is as was: Vimeo HD videos doesn't like to start (works fine and smooth when paused and restarted though). Veetle HD/HQ content is smooth as ever, so Adobe Flash support is going on strong -- unlike what Google devised for its after ICS phones and tablets.
4. So, Playbook is mostly its magnificent nameless Browser for me. It's fine on .1526 update, so do a security wipe/factory restore on your PBs if you think otherwise. It will certainly become better with coming BB 10 OS (March, maybe? Hello, out there, any fresh rumors?). It's just my wishful thinking for Playbook to get "native" Google Maps/Street View/Google Earth/Google+ etc. Or XBMC port, at least: why my generation older Nook Color can run it like a champ, and this browsing monster called Playbook can't?
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