Blackberry BlackPad, RIM’s tablet with touschscreen – the story

If you were reading gadgets’ sites this time last year, words like “tablet”, “touch screen”, “Android” were nowhere to be seen. These days though, news about new tablets equipped with touch-displays and all kind of customizable OSes are all around. That is iPad’s “fault”, the device that managed to sell in 3 millions in just 3 months and revolutionize the entire industry. Now, everyone prepares a tablet, trying to catch the late wave. And while devices like the Asus EEE Pads or the Acer tablets seem interesting, what would you say of something called the BlackPad ?

Yes, BlackPad is supposedly the name for a soon to come touch tablet from Research In Motion, the company behind the popular Blackberry. And although there are many unknowns and uncertainties about it right now (including the actual name), you should know that RIM plans to launch it in November 2010 (so expect it in stores for Cyber Monday 2010).

From the start, BlackPad is designed as a competitor for the iPad: will offer a 9.7 inch capacitive multitouch display and will cost $499. However, with the iPad the only known tablet these days, it’s obvious the competition will follow its lead.

Like i said, there are only dims of info about this device right now, although we should see it in stores in just a couple of months. It’s going to come with Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth, plus, when connected to a Blackberry smartphone, will also be able to use its 3G connection (if any). There are also going to be two video cameras, one on the front and one on the back of the device (a feature the iPad lacks).

BlackBerry BlackPad - 9.7 inch from RIM, trying to beat the iPad

However, nothing about what’s actually important, like the hardware inside and the OS used. I’d reckon they will try using a customized version of their Blackberry OS, but that’s not the best out there. People buy Blackberries because of their flawless email features, but many complain of the bugs and problems of the OS.  Plus, RIM is yet to make a successful touchscreen phone or develop an appropriate Apps collection for BlackBerries. That’s why for many, jumping the big-tablet’s wagon might seem a tough nut to swallow. Still, the guys at RIM are confident, hence given rumors from Digitimes, saying Taiwan-based notebook maker Quanta Computer will be producing the BlackPads and they are planning on manufacturing 2 millions devices this year, with some other 8 million in 2011.

Mockup sktech after Apple's iPad

These are optimistic expectations to say the least. But as Brad from Liliputing mentions in this post here, nobody was actually expecting to see such a huge success for the iPad also.

Now, that’s pretty much all we know about RIM’s BlackPad tablet for the moment. I’ll be keeping an eye on the subject and update this post once interesting things about this project spill out. For now though, be sure to check the Touch tablets category on the site and stay tuned, we’re about to see a lot of movement in this segment in the next months.

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Tags: BlackBerry, BlackPad, touch tablet

Last updated: August 9, 2010 | Published: August 9th, 2010 | Add the first comment!