The BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) will launch its new tablet, 4G playbook, in the second quarter of 2011 through Sprint Nextel in the U.S.. RIM has announced the launch in 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
First, the basics. The playbook BlackBerry device is a seven-inch tablet runs the new BlackBerry Tablet OS and sports a TI OMAP 4430 processor 1 GHz dual core. While some of the specifications have not been completed, the target weight is 0.9 pounds, which is closer to what a Kindle is an iPad, and battery life target is eight hours from a fixed unit. This is a number that RIM has reiterated today despite negative press earlier this month which suggests otherwise.
The applicant RIM playbook is shipping in Q1 (a solid release date has not yet been revealed, although TabletPCReview was told to “hold your breath” for a RIM representative at CES) will be Wi- Fi, and is associated with a BlackBerry device for a data connection. Sprint also plans to launch a 4G playbook this summer that RIM is working on ironing out a specific functionality.
BlackBerry playbook offers dual camera, a 3 megapixel facing for video calling and a 5 megapixel in the back. During the presentation at CES, the software for free video calls to Skype, has been seen in this tablet. Playbook also provides 64 GB of internal storage. Other features include the playbook Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI, MP3, AAC and WMA audio, etc. The new playbook IPAD compete with Apple and Motorola, as well as Xoom, which was also revealed at CES. Currently, about 80 percent of the total market share of the tablet is controlled by Apple iPad. Apple is also planning to launch its second version called IPAD 2 with additional features.
The playbook is running a new operating system, which is based on QNX Neutrino, a RIM product purchased earlier this year. Neutrino is a modern, UNIX-like operating currently running in many embedded systems, including cars. According to RIM, developers can create applications for the playbook in a number of technologies such as Java, Flash, Adobe Air, OpenGL, and RIM “WebWorks’ HTML widget platform.
The playbook has two cameras, HD video playback at 1080p, and as expected, but surprisingly, seemingly, no modem, at least at the moment I am writing this. Instead, you can trust relationship with an existing BlackBerry handheld. It is unclear whether the playbook will work for people who own BlackBerrys yet.
The playbook is not evolutionary. It’s big, exciting, and risky. It is an aggressive bet that you can set the agenda and actually cause Apple to pursue behind or could be an expensive waste that falls flat.
BlackBerry PlayBook Specifications:
- 7-inch capacitive display with 1024×600 WSVGA resolution
- BlackBerry Tablet OS
- 1 GHz dual-core processor
- 1 GB RAM memory
- MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
- Dual cameras
- 5MP at rear
- 3MP at front for video calling
- Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support
- HDMI out
- Internal storage – 16, 32 and 64 GB models
RIM has not announced the rate of PlayBook. It is expected that the price will be around $500 which is relatively low when compared to other tablets.
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