Today RIM announced a new version of the operating system for the BlackBerry PlayBook: OS 2.0 adds a number of new features and functions to the Consumer Reports–recommended tablet.

New features include:

• Built-in e-mail, calendar, and contacts. The PlayBook now offers a unified e-mail inbox, so you can view all your mail at once, as well as a "social hub" Contacts view that lets you see information from Facebook, Twitter, and so on.
• BlackBerry Bridge. Demoed at CES 2012, this new feature lets you use your BlackBerry smart phone as a remote control for your PlayBook. (This video shows you some of the functionality you'll get with this feature.)
• Open On. With a click, you'll be able to open documents, photos, and links that reside on your BlackBerry smart phone on your BlackBerry PlayBook.

If you're a BlackBerry PlayBook owner who wants to get started now with OS 2.0, check out this RIM post: How to download and update to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 and manage the new home screen.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 is here [RIM blog]