BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) is set to unveil its version of a tablet computer to take on the iPad next week, it was claimed today.
The BlackPad, as it has been nicknamed, will be launched before the end of the year and will have a seven-inch touch screen and at least one built-in camera, a source told the Wall Street Journal.
And it is claimed that RIM will unveil the device at a developers’ conference in San Francisco next week.
Quoting people familiar with RIM’s plans, the Wall Street Journal also confirmed Tuesday that the BlackPad is being launched Monday. The tablet will feature a seven-inch touch screen and one or two built-in cameras, the paper said.
It will also have Bluetooth and broadband connections but will only be able to connect to cellular networks through a BlackBerry smartphone. The tablet won’t be sold with a cellular service, leaving unclear which carriers or retailers will sell the device, the journal reported, quoting people familiar with RIM’s plans.
RIM Blackpad
As reported earlier, the BlackPad will not operate on the newly launched BlackBerry 6 operating system launched in August, but on a new platform built by QNX Software Systems.
The BlackBerry maker had acquired Ottawa-based QNX Software Systems for USD 200 million in April to have exclusive access to its software technology for its tablet.
QNX Software Systems is a unique company as its technology powers the six-wheeled unmanned Crusher combat vehicle of the US Army as well as the music, media and navigation systems in cars from BMW and Porsche.
By buying QNX Software Systems, RIM has also brought on board independent software developers who develop applications exclusively for QNX. Since RIM is way behind Apple in offering applications on its devices, QNX’s technology is a major boost for the Canadian wireless giant.
All future devices from RIM will operate on the QNX operating system, rather than its current operating systems, including BlackBerry 6, which have been termed slow.
The BlackPad tablet is being manufactured by Quanta Computer Inc. of Taiwan, and will run on chips from California’s Marvell Technology Group Inc., the journal reported, quoting people familar with the the tablet’s manufacturing.
The tablet will be another attempt by RIM to catch up with its rivals as it has been fast losing its market dominance in the smart phone market to Apple’s iPad and Google Android devices.
Though theWaterloo-based Canadian company has posted a record growth in the second quarter and reported high sales of the latest BlackBerry Torch 9800, Apple’s iPhone is making big inroads into its corporate and business client base.
Compounding its problems, the BlackBerry maker also faces ban in some big markets, including India, which are seeking access to its secure encrypted emails for security reasons.
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It looks like Nokia and Intel will soon get competition from RIM, as the latter will soon unveil the BlackPad running a MeeGo competitor.
Sources at RIM have told the Wall Street Journal that the company will soon unveil a new operating system for tablets and high-end smartphones. In conjunction with next week’s developer conference, RIM will possibly take the wraps off the new OS, which is built by QNX Software Systems. RIM acquired the company earlier this year.
If you ask us, RIM’s new OS will basically compete directly with Nokia and Intel’s upcoming MeeGo, meaning that the Canadian manufacturer is looking to expand its effort beyond the traditional QWERTY messaging phones, and ultimately offer a portfolio of products that integrate with new and existing solutions. According to the Wall Street Journal, an upcoming tablet dubbed BlackPad will for instance work seamlessly with BlackBerry phones.
http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/internet-tablets/rim-blackpad/11385.html
Research in Motion has been quietly touting a big press event Monday in San Francisco and it appears its Black Pad tablet may be the main event.
Officially, RIM isn’t talking about the event. It’s way secretive, but we’re told it’s important. The RIM press briefing is expected to go down Monday before its developer conference in San Francisco. At the event, RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis will deliver the keynote at Moscone West.
So why are we willing to bet that the Black Pad is coming soon? Like Monday.
We’re starting to get pitches from folks that will start supporting the Blackberry Black Pad. The big caveat is “when it launches.” Seems obvious no?
Let’s see. Key enterprise vendors—the ones most likely to support the Black Pad—like Citrix are planning to support RIM’s device. Citix’s Receiver app is already a hit on Apple’s iPad so it’s a no brainer that the company would support every tablet out there. And now we’re getting pitches on tablet strategies pegged to the Black Pad.
If you connect the dots it appears the Black Pad is coming next week. After all, RIM’s first mission will be to pitch developers on its tablet.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/connecting-the-dots-rim-may-launch-its-black-pad-monday/39455
BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is finally getting rid of its antique operating system, BlackBerry OS.
No, it’s not jumping on the Google Android bandwagon — not yet, at least. But if this one doesn’t work out, it might have to.
Instead, RIM’s new devices — beginning with its “Blackpad” tablet, which could be unveiled next week, according to the WSJ — will run a new OS from a company called QNX, which RIM acquired earlier this year.
RIM “eventually plans to transition its BlackBerry smartphones” to the new OS, the WSJ writes, citing people familiar with RIM’s strategy. (Will it keep the BlackBerry OS name? Or use something else?)
Will it be any good? The big problem with the BlackBerry OS is that it feels primitive next to Apple’s iOS or Android.
http://www.businessinsider.com/rim-is-finally-ditching-the-blackberry-os-but-not-for-android-2010-9
It was revealed a few days ago by MobileCrunch that RIM has recently bought the domain name Blackpad.com – strongly suggesting that they’ve got a tablet device in the works intended to take on the iPad.
And Bloomberg reported that the BlackPad is indeed real, with a launch date set for November.
According to the reports, the BlackPad’s specs and pricing will be roughly in line with the iPad, with a 9.7inch screen, and WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity – enabling users to connect to the internet through their BlackBerry phones.
An announcement by RIM is scheduled for a press event on Tuesday afternoon, with the company tight-lipped on what the event is about.