RIM “BlackPad” Slated For Show Next Week

A buzz has arisen around next week’s meeting of RIM’s developer community with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) kicking off rumours of a tablet preview. If true, a debut at a developers’ conference would be an ideal kick off to gain apps support, essential to the success of any competitor to Apple’s iPad.

The BlackBerry has not had much luck in attracting developers compared with the Android and iPhone apps markets. An early entry into the tablet arena could create a wave of interest but new skills may be required.

BlackPad With QNX

Widely expected to be called the BlackPad, following the registration of the name by RIM, the tablet may not be powered by the revamped Blackberry 6 operating system, the WSJ reported. Quoting “people familiar with RIM’s plans”, the paper said that the mobile device will be based on an operating system from QNX Software Systems.

RIM bought QNX earlier this year. The purchase was seen as a major effort to eventually improve the reputation of the BlackBerry operating system which has been heavily criticised as being slow and buggy. The revamp dispelled some of the criticisms but some irritating bugs remained and browser performance was noticeably slow.

With RIM successfully keeping the lid on the project, details of the features of the BlackPad are sketchy. WiFi will have to be available and the ability to connect to a BlackBerry by Bluetooth would allow mobile broadband access even if connectivity is not native to the tablet itself. It is said to have the same approximate size and shape as the iPad but will be geared toward corporate users. This will necessitate secure messaging and email functionality.

The tablets are said to be manufactured by Quanta Computer in Taiwan, using a processor from Marvell Technology Group in California. Quanta has not admitted to anything but Marvell has confirmed that it is fabricating tablet processors for RIM. RIM itself has refused to comment on any rumours.