RESEARCH IN Motion has unveiled a tablet computer aimed at its core business customers, as it tries to gain a foothold in a fast-growing market dominated by Apple’s consumer-friendly iPad.
The BlackBerry PlayBook has a seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen, dual high-definition cameras and boasts support from corporate IT departments. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but needs to link with a BlackBerry smartphone to access mobile phone networks.
RIM emphasised the PlayBook’s “uncompromised” web browsing experience – which, unlike the iPad, supports Adobe’s widely-used Flash multimedia software – as well as the tablet’s security.
RIM expects to ship the device to corporate customers and developers in October and to consumers from early in 2011, meaning it will miss a crucial sales period in the Christmas buying season. In the meantime, many competing tablets are expected to hit the market.
Research In Motion has not said how much it will charge for the PlayBook; pricing could be an important factor in its adoption.
MKM Partners analyst Pablo Perez-Fernandez said he was initially sceptical, but added that key features could help it stand apart from the iPad. – (Reuters)
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