BlackBerry PlayBook: RIM reveals BlackBerry’s Answer to the iPad
BlackBerry creator Research In Motion (RIM) has unveiled its answer to Apple’s iPad: the BlackBerry PlayBook.
The PlayBook is a 7in touchscreen device and is designed to be paired with an existing BlackBerry handset. Its operating system, BlackBerry Tablet OS, was developed by QNX, a company that was recently acquired by RIM. QNX has a lot of expertise in building operating systems for embedded devices, particularly in-car infotainment systems.
The new OS was designed specifically for the PlayBook, which RIM says helps to avoid the difficulties that come from taking a smartphone operating system to a larger form factor, which Apple did when it took the iOS from its iPhone and iPod Touch devices to the iPad.
Despite its name, the PlayBook is aimed firmly at corporate customers. However, its multimedia functionality is impressive for a business-oriented device. Offering full 1080p HD video playback from H.264, DivX and WMV sources, the PlayBook includes an HDMI output for connecting to a big screen. It also includes two high-definition cameras – a three-megapixel front-facing camera and a five-megapixel rear camera – which can record 1080p HD video.
RIM has concentrated on the browsing experience, ensuring that the PlayBook can offer full access to media-rich websites. Accordingly, the device’s built-in web browser includes support for Adobe Air, Flash 10.1 and HTML5 rich content, all of which can be accessed via the integrated Wi-Fi network card.
The initial version won’t have mobile broadband capabilities, although RIM says that future revisions will. Instead it relies on a Bluetooth tether to a BlackBerry handset for internet access. This may hurt the device’s chances of being pushed by mobile network operators, as they can’t sell a data bundle with it.
RIM’s president and co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, said at the annual BlackBerry Developer Conference: “This is one of the most exciting times in our history. RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry, with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world’s most robust and flexible operating systems. The BlackBerry PlayBook solidly hits the mark with true multitasking, uncompromised web browsing and high-performance multimedia.”
RIM confirmed that the device would be launching worldwide in the second quarter of 2011, but it has yet to announce a price. It remains to be seen whether the company can keep the price low enough for ordinary consumers to consider buying it, as its enterprise credentials and high-power specifications are likely to push the price up.
BlackBerry creator Research In Motion (RIM) has unveiled its answer to Apple’s iPad: the BlackBerry PlayBook.
The PlayBook is a 7in touchscreen device and is designed to be paired with an existing BlackBerry handset. Its operating system, BlackBerry Tablet OS, was developed by QNX, a company that was recently acquired by RIM. QNX has a lot of expertise in building operating systems for embedded devices, particularly in-car infotainment systems.
The new OS was designed specifically for the PlayBook, which RIM says helps to avoid the difficulties that come from taking a smartphone operating system to a larger form factor, which Apple did when it took the iOS from its iPhone and iPod Touch devices to the iPad.
Despite its name, the PlayBook is aimed firmly at corporate customers. However, its multimedia functionality is impressive for a business-oriented device. Offering full 1080p HD video playback from H.264, DivX and WMV sources, the PlayBook includes an HDMI output for connecting to a big screen. It also includes two high-definition cameras – a three-megapixel front-facing camera and a five-megapixel rear camera – which can record 1080p HD video.
RIM has concentrated on the browsing experience, ensuring that the PlayBook can offer full access to media-rich websites. Accordingly, the device’s built-in web browser includes support for Adobe Air, Flash 10.1 and HTML5 rich content, all of which can be accessed via the integrated Wi-Fi network card.
The initial version won’t have mobile broadband capabilities, although RIM says that future revisions will. Instead it relies on a Bluetooth tether to a BlackBerry handset for internet access. This may hurt the device’s chances of being pushed by mobile network operators, as they can’t sell a data bundle with it.
RIM’s president and co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, said at the annual BlackBerry Developer Conference: “This is one of the most exciting times in our history. RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry, with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world’s most robust and flexible operating systems. The BlackBerry PlayBook solidly hits the mark with true multitasking, uncompromised web browsing and high-performance multimedia.”
RIM confirmed that the device would be launching worldwide in the second quarter of 2011, but it has yet to announce a price. It remains to be seen whether the company can keep the price low enough for ordinary consumers to consider buying it, as its enterprise credentials and high-power specifications are likely to push the price up.
