RIM touts BlackBerry 7.1 and PlayBook 2.0 OS features

BlackBerry 7.1 and PlayBook 2.0 OS details

RIM may have been having a torrid time of it over the last couple of months, but it's striking a positive note at CES, showing off the features list for its upcoming BlackBerry 7.1 and BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 operating systems.

New features on the cards for BlackBerry 7.1 include the long-awaited addition of mobile hotspot capability, letting you connect up to five devices to the internet using your BlackBerry.

Also coming to BlackBerry 7.1 is BlackBerry Tag – if you and your chum both have NFC-equipped BlackBerrys, you'll be able to exchange contact info, documents, URLs, photos and other data by tapping your phones together.

PlayBook OS is also getting an update, with version 2.0 letting you use your BlackBerry as a wireless keyboard and mouse for your PlayBook over BlackBerry Bridge. You'll also be able to open content stored on your BlackBerry directly on the PlayBook.

Other features include native address book, calendar and e-mail, wireless Print To Go, support for embedded charts and formulas in Documents To Go, and a unified inbox for your all-important social media updates.

PlayBook 2.0 will roll out in late February.

More CES 2012 coverage