RIM shows off PlayBook, a BlackBerry tablet

October 26, 2010 By Jeffrey Van Camp

RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis showed off the PlayBook, a new tablet running BlackBerry's OS 6.0 at the Adobe Max conference.

Mike Lazaridis, CEO of Research in Motion, showed off the smartphone company’s first tablet at the Adobe Max conference. Named “PlayBook,” the device is intended to compete with the iPad and growing number of Android tablets hitting the market. Video is below.

The PlayBook was announced in early August and makes use of a new operating system dubbed BlackBerry Tablet OS from QNX, which the veteran smartphone company hopes will help it stave off the onslaught of iPhone and Android sales and bring momentum back to BlackBerry. Unfortunately, from this demo, the user interface (UI) seems laggy and unresponsive when performing simple tasks like browsing photos. It also appears necessary to sift through two menus to get to an Internet browser.

During the final portion of the demo, Lazaridis explains that he doesn’t plan on dumbing down the Internet for his device, but instead the PlayBook is powerful enough to fully experience the Internet. He then shows that the tablet can run HD quality YouTube videos, but does so with some lag. Still, “it’s actually running,” he says.

To learn more about the PlayBook, check out the opening announcement. Interested in the PlayBook? The company is certainly trying to remain relevant. Is it enough?

Showing 7 comments

Mike at 1:29pm 26th October 2010 YEAH. I'm sure this is going to work.
roy.nid at 1:25pm 26th October 2010 If this thing is anything close to develop for that their current nightmare of an os is then it's a sure flop!
Suz at 12:46pm 26th October 2010 Planning to buy. Wish the item was available immediately. Not impress with iPad which I found too bulky and heavy.
The Expert at 11:54am 26th October 2010 Umm. The writer says its using BlackBerry Device Software 6.0. That is incorrect, its using BlackBerry Tablet OS from QNX. Compeletely different!!
1. @JeffreyVC at 2:52pm 27th October 2010 You are right! My mistake. I've corrected the article.
Rubens at 11:28am 26th October 2010 RIM go this device right and I can't wait to get my hands on one. Addresses all the weaknesses of the iPad and then some.
nyvaca at 10:49am 26th October 2010 Yikes! O my goodness.. they have a way to go yet.. I loved their comment "It is acutally running".... "thats right!"