Removing the case absolutely did solve the problem. I was confronted with the problem in two different circumstances.
The first was 'Mahjong Legends', which opens in landscape mode and doesn't rotate to portrait. I had zero luck swiping the bottom of the landscape mode to minimize the app for closing. Removing the case solved this and I can swipe up from the bottom of the long portrait edge to shut it down.
The second was the web browser, in landscape mode. I eventually did manage to minimize it while in landscape mode, but it took several trys and significant pressure from the edge of the case onto the screen. Too much to be usable in my opinion. I could rotate to portrait to make the upward swipe work, but I shouldn't need to. Without the case, the phone just works as it should, and feels much more like my PlayBook.
I saw a comment somewhere about the protective screen portion of the Otterbox causing trouble. Some have cut it off. I didn't try that as I wanted to return it... ;-) but it might be at least a partial solution for some who can't NOT use that box!
Knowing what I do today, I'll be very fussy with my case selection. I put a screen protector film (are those over-priced or what?!) on it for the moment and will watch to see what comes on the market. I like the BB holster, but it doesn't seem to be large enough to allow any sort of skin. Roots is evidently coming out with something similar to the Otterbox which I'll look at, but who knows...
