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Meet BlackBerry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM

By | September 27, 2010, 1:33pm PDT

Summary: RIM introduces its own answer to the tablet PC market, an enterprise ready device with a 7-inch screen called Blackberry Playbook

Today at the BlackBerry Developer’s Conference in San Francisco, Research in Motion President and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis kicked off the event with the widely-anticipated news: a tablet PC of its own.

Called the BlackBerry Playbook. the device is a a “Flash-loving,” “device-pairing,” “enterprise-ready” tablet with an “uncompromised browsing experience” on a 7-inch screen. It is 9.7 millimeters thick and features a high-res wide screen display that supports 1080p with HDMI and USB ports.

In addition, the company announced the BlackBerry Tablet OS, which will power the Playbook. The OS is built on the QNX Neutrino architecture, which the company touts as one of the most “reliable, secure and robust” architectures.

Related coverage:

Lazaridis said it wont require new data plans, new security or anything new. It comes with out-of-the-box compatibility. He said it will become the enterprise standard.

It sounds like a powerful device and, as such, it would probably need a powerful battery, right? The company talked up a lot of the specs and the performance but not once - not in the on-stage presentation nor in the press release - was there a mention of battery life.

I also didn’t hear anything about pricing. The technical details from the release:

  • 7″ LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
  • BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
  • 1 GHz dual-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
  • Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
  • HDMI video output
  • Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
  • Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL, Java
  • Ultra thin and portable:
  • Measures 5.1″x7.6″x0.4″ (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
  • Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
  • Additional features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook will be shared on or before the date this product is launched in retail outlets.
  • RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

The device is expected to be available in early 2011 in the U.S. with rollouts to international markets in the second quarter of next year.

Initially, it will be a WiFi-powered device that pairs with BlackBerry smartphones. The company said it plans to offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

Want to see it in action now? Check out the YouTube video:

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Topics

Developer, RIM BlackBerry, Handhelds, Hardware, Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger for more than 18 years.

Disclosure

Sam Diaz

Sam Diaz has nothing to disclose.

Biography

Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger, reporter and editor at ZDNet, the Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News and Fresno Bee for more than 18 years. He's a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a graduate of California State University, Fresno.

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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
the.moog 27th Sep 2010
Awesome! Looks just awesome!
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And When The Blackberry Network Goes Down
cyberslammer 27th Sep 2010
It makes a great flyswatter.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
unclefixer@... 27th Sep 2010
@cyberslammer It's wifi powered too-
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
linasmith 23rd Aug
@cyberslammer Really very good work. buy book report | Admission essay help | thesis help
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
allargon 27th Sep 2010
1080p and dual core plus QNX? Me likey.

Android who?

First native app on this one will probably be Scrabble. Those guys never met a platform they didn't like.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
ArtInvent 27th Sep 2010
@allargon - QNX who? Honestly, have been following tech for years and never heard of this.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
kevindarling 27th Sep 2010
@ArtInvent QNX is a realtime multitasking OS that's been around for almost 30 years. Very well known to embedded system developers, which is a field most consumers know nothing about. It's used in military gear, the Shuttle, nuclear power plants, you name it. Very robust.
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There is life beyond PCs
Bruizer 27th Sep 2010
@ArtInvent

If that is all you consider "tech". QnX is a great, fast and light weight OS. Not only that, it is one of few certified OSes for safety based systems and can be used to control nuclear reactors and other critical industrial equipment. In short, the OS quality is top notch and far beyond the quality of Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and OS X.

I have seen the OS upgraded in full from major version to major version without having to shut down operating tasks. Like adding Windows 7 to a Windows XP without having to shut down any apps. Right cool.
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QNX Runs on Linux API's as RTOS UNIX CLONE As Well Itself!
i2fun@... 28th Sep 2010
@ArtInvent It's another POSIX Compliant UNIX like OS but is a full Microkernel based OS and as such is most like BeOS in that it can boot almost instantaneously and you can stop or start any service individually w/o restarting the entire OS.

Forget every other OS as far as FAST BOOT! ....the only question is in Applications, but thanks to the fact that the API's are Linux based based, that will help Developers in porting applications and the designing new ones. For certain uses this RIM Tablet will be a standout favorite. But for consumers it won't even touch the Android or iOS markets. Not just because of Applications, but PRICE!!!!!

Dual Core Atom, 1gig of Ram alone will not come cheap and ARM will still rule over the consumer market! grin
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Hate to say it.... Seems like they did a nice job on it (nt)
croberts 27th Sep 2010
(nt)
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
floyd.saunders@... 27th Sep 2010
I am typing my comments about the Playbook from my iPad and have to say for the business customer this will be one hot product.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
ghutch2262 27th Sep 2010
Play.. As in "playbook". Weird name for a business-centric promoted device!
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
hoaxoner 27th Sep 2010
@ghutch2262
I think it's more a reference to the secrecy with which football teams keep their playbooks. You could be right though.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
dave95. 27th Sep 2010
@ghutch2262

That was my first reaction also, play and enterprise doesn't quite go together.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
kevindarling Updated - 27th Sep 2010
@ghutch2262 - It's a common phrase in business. Most people have read news like "So and so took a page right out of Apple's playbook when they introduced an app store", etc.

It's a very clever name, evoking competition and leadership for business users, and fun for home users.

Beats the heck out of the reception that 'iPad' got... remember the crude jokes about it?
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
ItsTheBottomLine 28th Sep 2010
@kevindarling Exactly.
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Playbook
prof123 Updated - 1st Oct 2010
@kevindarling

You got that right. RIM took a page right out of Apple's playbook.

Everybody is aping Apple. RIM, forget the consumer market. This tablet may find some acceptance in the enterprise, but have a charger handy. No way this thing can match the iPad battery life of 10 hours. And forget fun and innovating apps, only boring spreadsheets.
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Wow.
Cylon Centurion 27th Sep 2010
That bezel is HUGE! :/
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
rossdav@... 27th Sep 2010
It looks really good! I'm impressed!
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The interface looks great!
P. Douglas 27th Sep 2010
.
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Wait for More
gmendez@... 27th Sep 2010
What I've read so far looks great, but I have to wait to see some more information on pricing, battery life, and compatibility with other eBook publishers. Until then, it's all marketing fluff. Flash support is a big plus, but not having at least a 3G model may place it a disadvantage.
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Odd Intro Video for an Enterprise device
steve@... 27th Sep 2010
I think the PlayBook will find a home/niche, however I found it odd that in the 2:27 video introducing their new enterprise ready device, a little over two minutes was spent promoting its consumer applications.
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I want one!
TwoHerbs 27th Sep 2010
If it's true....
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
zane9 Updated - 27th Sep 2010
No 3G, no price announced, unknown battery life, not available until after the Christmas buying season. Sounds like a winner.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
bhartman36 27th Sep 2010
@zane9

Who said no 3G? The {i]initial one won't have 3G, but that's no surprise, is it? In fact, that's exactly what Apple did with the iPad: The wifi-only version came out first.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
Droid101 27th Sep 2010
@zane9
Why would I want a 3G one when I already have a Blackberry (through work) that I can freely tether it to? Two 3G plans? Waste of money.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
zane9 27th Sep 2010
@Droid101

Perhaps we all don't have a Blackberry or other 3G-enabled device?
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Important that it supports Citrix Receiver
rograham1 27th Sep 2010
Taking a cue from Apple, the combination of playbook tethered to BB would be a great platform for thin client access (e.g. Citrix). BB would serve as touchpad mouse. Make sure that there is a credible speech-to-text capability to minimize need for keystroking.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
calwoosnam@... 27th Sep 2010
Wow and anyone with a business Blackberry instantly has 3G-4G capability with its pairing. So why invest in 3G/4G in the pad. With your hip worn or purse buried, Blackberry taking your crystal clear calls you now have connectivity, speed, and all the apps running day one. Congrats Jim, and RIM you have done it again. 3 Chears!
Cal Woosnam
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
russdwright@... 27th Sep 2010
Looks sharp! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for when this one is released. It could seriously give the Galaxy Tab a run for its money if released at the right time with all the features as promised.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
bhartman36 27th Sep 2010
The thing I found a little unsettling is how little time they actually devoted to showing the device. I mean, most of the commercial is devoted to projecting the UI onto other surfaces. Why not just show the Playbook doing all those things? There wasn't nearly enough product time in that video.
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A keyboard option would be great
aaronalter2000 27th Sep 2010
I'm wondering if a bluetooth full size keyboard exists that could be used with the device.
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Bluetooth keyboard?
Old Techie 28th Sep 2010
@aaronalter2000 I use the Logitech MX5500 along with the Revolution mouse daily with my laptop. Should work fine.
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So...you thought us Qannaddians...
Feldwebel Wolfenstool 27th Sep 2010
...are merely your retarded cousins to the North? Eh?
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
unclefixer@... 27th Sep 2010
This looks completely awesome! If it performs half as good as it appears to in the video, WOW!
I bet it costs your left pinky to buy one... still I might be able to get used to life with no left pinky! happy
www.dfwsupergeek.com
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
Johnny Gage 27th Sep 2010
Glad somebody made it business adaptable with HDMI out, maybe something for presentations that works.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
rhonin 27th Sep 2010
@Johnny Gage
My second thought....
First was that as indicated by specs it should work with most of the software we run at our company today.... and we can run a thin version of SAP on our BB phones... potential big time...
I can see this on the execs shoppping list asap....
Especially the one who was pissed off his ipad couldn't run our flash based training software...
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Device Pairing
aaronalter2000 27th Sep 2010
Device pairing would be useful if you could make and answer calls on your mobile phone number with the Playbook. Then you could manage the calls like Skype does.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
slampert@... 27th Sep 2010
Does this unit provide full (wireless) integration with MS Exhange out of the box, or is the BB Enterprise Server still req'd ???
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
pjamieson@... 27th Sep 2010
What it all comes down to will be the Apps !!
I hope they have created an SDK that is easy to develop for, or it is game over !
Look at the amount out BB Phone apps they have .. less than 10% of what Apple touts and far less than Android too ..
Apps will make or break this product .. we will just have to wait and see ..
BUT, The product does look very nice, along with it's spec sheet ..
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
tallbruva 28th Sep 2010
@pjamieson@...
And to make that happen they can't "stick up" the developer with fees. That's why Blackberry apps cost so much.... The developer has to recoup his costs. It's also why Android has so many free apps. A one-time $25 developer fee for Android and you can go buck wild.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
dragonfishusa 27th Sep 2010
looks cool, just like the videos for the MS Courier.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
petermat@... 27th Sep 2010
I tried the video. What did I know at the end of the video that I did not know to start with? Nothing!! What was the point? If you are selling to tech junkies maybe it meant something, but professionals, forget it.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
Graham Ellison Updated - 27th Sep 2010
Well, you can't take a call on it and it's too small for making presentations or doing any real work, and it's too big to fit in your inside jacket pocket... So this is what?

When designing smart enterprise products, it's smart to think about how people actually work.

This thing places itself between the mobile phone and the iPad or laptop - and as of 3 April 2010, in that order. So RIM's solution is to give us a third device to carry around?

In what sense is this a business tool?
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
tallbruva 28th Sep 2010
@Graham Ellison

7 inches is the sweet spot in terms of ergonomics, as Samsung noted with its Tab. In fact, Samsung showed the device fitting easily into pockets, purses and briefcases. And since this is the same size, just replace Samsung's Tab in their promo with this BB. Plus it has HDMI out. So if you're doing a presentation, just send it to a projector with HDMI.

Although I'd love to be at presentations you've been at where everyone huddled around a laptop proved to be productive. Every presenation is pushed to a projector. This is no different.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
Graham Ellison Updated - 28th Sep 2010
@tallbruva "7 inches is the sweet spot in terms of ergonomics, as Samsung noted with its Tab."

Samsung's Tab is called what? And Samsung have sold how many? You don't prove anything by launching a product, you do so by selling it. You prove everything by selling record numbers.

Talk to me about products that are actually selling in the real world. I'm sure a few million men believe similar thoughts about their 7" solutions! But here we're talking about vaporware.

Any 7" device will fit in a side jacket pocket, and any 9" device will fit into a briefcase. But who carries a briefcase anymore anyway? I carry a laptop bag - if I have to, but I'd rather not.

But you're completely missing the big elephant in the room. Any device this small is going to be limited by its battery capacity - something they conveniently failed to mention. So you're going to have to carry a power block, plug and cable if you want to use it to feed a projector.

You're just not thinking laterally. Half of the iPad is battery. Why? Because just to perform respectably as a STAND ALONE DEVICE, relying on the very best of current battery technology, that's what was necessary.

A fully featured netbook sized device has been some sort of wet dream for the likes of Gates and co for a couple of decades. But we're not there yet - because of the battery situation. For at least that time they've all tried and failed.

Only 12 months ago, MS were still touting netbooks as the things that were going to kill Apple! Why? Because it allowed them to sell cut down versions of Windows, and they were afraid some flavour of Linux was about to eat their lunch. As soon as the rumours of Apple's tablet solution were confirmed, Ballmer re-announced HP's tablet, something Gates did 10 years ago with one from... who cares?!

And anyone who believes RIM [who comprehensively failed to get the touch screen solution until way after everyone else] is the company to take us there, is in cloud cuckoo land.

The smartest part about this product is its name. But even that only works in the US and mainly for sport-minded males. So that's less than half a win. The era of macho nomenclature is as over as go faster stripes and chrome trim.

Today, prestige, cachet and kudos are no longer represented by exclusive themes such as: big shot, bigwig, big gun or even expert or new. We live in an inclusive world of: celebrity, star, VIP, leading light, ergonomic and trust.

When I see a white haired fat man in a suit reading from an autocue trying to sell anything in the 21st century, I know that company is dying.
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Copycat
mrye@... 27th Sep 2010
Looks like a copycat of Palm webOS!
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
rhonin 27th Sep 2010
@mrye@...
considering WebOS is a lot newer.... flip that statement... happy
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
jmiller1978 Updated - 28th Sep 2010
@zenwalker

Considering WebOS has been on the market much longer than RIM's acquisition of QNX, the statement is valid. QNX may be a much older OS but this interface is newer than WebOS's and looks very much alike.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
jorjitop 27th Sep 2010
Looks like a solid product that will fit well with enterprise. It might be coming out around the time Apple announces an updated 7" iPad, so that will present an interesting choice.

A good alternative to the iPad. No serious enterprise would consider Android, so it is good to have another choice.
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RE: Meet Blackberry Playbook, a tablet PC from RIM
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
Awing submit. I've help on for myself specifically how flexile WP is, like a internet hosting political product for your universe extensive website . you really have very nearly all kinds of things you include to release a universe mulberry purses extensive website at your fingertips, by WordPress. many thanks.

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