Tag Archives: Blackberry 6

Blackberry to reveal ‘BlackPad’ tablet to rival iPad

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RIM

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.

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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.

Sneak preview of Blackberry 6 OS

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RIM has shown off its BlackBerry 6 OS again on video, only this time with a lot more relevant information without an annoying Black Eyed Peas video in the background.

The new video highlights the integration of messaging options for the BlackBerry range, with IM, text and social networking all available from a contact profile.

Pinching and zooming has also been added to the process, so web page viewing (on the new Webkit-based browser) will be a much more pleasurable experience.

Social hubs will be integrated too – you’ll be able to send a Tweet or Facebook message to a specific contact (or more) and then simply scroll right to see RSS feeds and the like.

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Rim, based in Waterloo Ontario

The main message from RIM seems to be that this is a much more consumer-friendly interface, with touch at the heart rather than an afterthought, as it felt on the Storm range.

Back in April, at WES 2010, Research in Motion offered the first public Blackberry 6 sneak peak. The new OS looked like it might appeal to a larger audience and move away from the notion that the Blackberry is just for business folks.

Now another sneak peak video has popped up on the Blackberry Blog letting the world know that this OS might turn out to be a pretty good competitor to the iPhone and Android phones rather than being the phone primarily used by big business.


The new OS will include a new browser powered by WebKit, the same open source engine that powers Safari. The OS now supports pinch to zoom and a new application called Social Feeds, which will give you access to sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as RSS feeds from other sites.

“In addition to the new fluid user interface, the video illustrates a few of the new applications and features in BlackBerry 6 that are designed to provide users with a mobile experience that is fun and approachable, yet extremely powerful.”

The Blackberry OS is known for its exceptional handling of email. If RIM can create an OS that is not only visually pleasing but also as functional as its email services, it could be a huge hit for the vendor.