As has already been reported here, there is a Tablet PC in the making in the RIM stable which is being rumored to be named the BlackPad. And now, as per the latest slate pc news coming in, it seems the BlackPad will be ready for launch by the end of this year. So come December and there will be one more contender that will like to do battle with the iPad.
In fact, it is being widely believed in some sections that a Tablet PC was always in the making at Research in Motion even before we had come to hear of the iPad. The BlackPad tablet initially had a black and white screen and could well have made it to the market in that avatar itself had not the iPad with its brilliant color display came into the scene. So perhaps this prompted Blackberry to rethink their strategy and went back to add color to their display.
As for the tablet, we know by now that its going to have a 8.9 inch screen but would be devoid of any networking connection. It is its not having any networking connection that has made the BlackPad to differ from the iPad and the upcoming tablet from Google. However, it would still be possible to connect the tablet to other devices by means of WiFi or Bluetooth. The tablet pc will also be the first non hand held device that Blackberry is making. So it will have cell phone running Android or the iPhone running the Apple OS to put up with.
Reports also indicate that Blackberry is partnering with the Marvel technology Group to take care of its silicon needs and the Quanta Company that specialize in hardware manufacturing.
So all of this is pointing towards an exciting non iPad tablet coming our way. And familiar as we are with the Blackberry range of smartphones, we can also be sure of a smart tablet PC that perhaps will bring in a quantum change in the way we perceive tablet PCs.
Watch this space for more developments on this or for the latest e-reader news.
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Sovan Mandal is the senior tablet and tech corespondent for goodereader.com. He brings a international approach to news that is not just applicable to the North American market, but also Asia, India, Europe and others. Sovy brings his own writing flavor to the website and is interested in Science Fiction, Technology and Writing. Any questions, send an email