RIM edges in on iPad with BlackBerry Playbook tablet

September 27, 2010 By Nick Mokey

RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet one-ups the iPad with full Flash support, plus 1080p video recording, a dual-core processor, and more.

Tablet computing just got a little more productive. Or at least, that’s what you had better get your boss to believe if you want the company to shell out for the new BlackBerry PlayBook, an iPad competitor announced at RIM’s developer’s conference in San Francisco on Monday.

The seven-inch tablet follows in the conservative footsteps of RIM’s smartphones by promising enterprise compatibility out of the box for serious work capability, with all the goodies of other tablets stacked on top. Most notably, RIM is pushing a “full” Web experience, meaning Flash compatibility, true multitasking, and face-to-face videoconferencing.

Like RIM’s phones, the PlayBook will take on an unassuming gloss black design with rounded edges – a shrunken iPad gone corporate. Specs include a 7-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive touch screen, 1GHz dual-core processor, HDMI output, and dual HD cameras – a 3-megapixel front cam and a 5-megapixel in the back, which will be capable of recording full 1080p video.

Confirming earlier rumors, the tablet won’t run RIM’s BlackBerry OS 6 operating system, but a new operating system from QNX, a company RIM scooped up back in April.

Following the release of Apple’s iOS-powered iPad back in April, all other major smartphone operating systems have begun the transition to tablets. HP promised a webOS tablet back in August, Samsung drummed up Android tablet hype with the Galaxy Tab, and now BlackBerry has completed the circle with the Playbook. The only player missing: Microsoft, which has continued to push Windows 7 as a viable tablet platform with Atom-powered tablets like the Archos 9.

Check out a video preview of the PlayBook from BlackBerry below.

Showing 4 comments

*E* at 10:26am 12th December 2010 PLAYBOOK TOPS THE iPAD ANYDAY!!!!!!!!!
Otto at 6:21pm 29th October 2010 So.... when is this available?
Gee Gee at 3:20am 8th October 2010 Anyone interested in a low-cost three-way? Telecommunications company Powwownow will be showing everyone how to save loads of money with conference calling by launching an attempt to set the world record for the longest ever three-way conference call on 30th September. Phil Tufnell, Patrick Monahan and Jodie Marsh have agreed to talk non-stop for 24 hours straight on a Powwownow call from three of London’s busiest stations - Victoria, London Bridge and Waterloo. They are pulling the stunt to publicise the incredible savings they provide on conference calling. Check out www.powwownow.co.uk for more info.
ShowtimeNupe at 2:48am 28th September 2010 I am very pumped about the BlackBerry Playbook, and cannot wait until it's released. I am curious as to if there will be a larger version released, as I'd love to see a 10 inch version. I also would love to know if it supports movie applications such as Blockbuster On Demand or Netflix. It appears to be a fantastic tablet, and will bring welcome competition to the market. I especially love that it has full Flash support.