BlackBerry unveils PlayBook tablet
Research in Motion's answer to Apple's iPad features a 7-inch screen, Flash-capable video and a front and rear high-definition camera.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- BlackBerry maker Research in Motion unveiled the PlayBook, a tablet computer, at a developer conference Monday.
The tablet market is so far dominated by Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) and its popular iPad, but other tech companies are trying to cash in as well.
"Every successful professional has a great PlayBook," said Mike Lazaridis, co-chief executive of RIM, at the BlackBerry Developer conference in San Francisco.
The PlayBook tablet features a 7-inch screen, Flash-capable video and a front and rear high-definition camera. It's thin, at just 9.7 millimeters, and weighs 0.9 pounds. Lazaridis did not name a price.
For now, the PlayBook -- which will be released in 2011 -- can connect to the Internet only via Wi-Fi. RIM said it plans to offer 3G and 4G models sometime in the future.
Still, Lazaridis said RIM's goal was "to offer an uncompromised Web experience."
The PlayBook includes a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. It's compatible with HDMI video output and Bluetooth, as well as microHDMI and microUSB.
A new operating system: The tablet won't use RIM's newly launched BlackBerry 6 operating system. Instead, it's built around a new platform from QNX Software Systems, which RIM (RIMM) acquired earlier this year.
A QNX rep also appeared at the conference and said the PlayBook will offer "just a great gaming experience."
Lazaridis said the BlackBerry Messenger system will be "opened as a social platform for applications," but he didn't give any further details. He also said in-app payments and a BlackBerry advertising service will "generate revenue immediately."
Shares of RIM rose about 2% in after-hours trade Monday, but the stock is down nearly 30% this year due to concerns that the company is falling behind Apple as well as smartphone makers using Google's (GOOG, Fortune 500) Android operating system.
The PlayBook is being released at a critical time for RIM. The company surprised its critics by posting strong sales and subscriber growth last quarter, but its just-launched BlackBerry Torch failed to make a splash in the smartphone market. 
Right Now
- Gun maker fleeing Maryland
- Apple profit soars but iPads slump
- Microsoft weighed down by ailing Nokia
The U.S. Marines are testing renewable energy technologies like solar to reduce costs and casualties associated with fossil fuels. Play
Looking for Mr. or Ms. Moneybags? Hunt down the perfect mate in these wealthy cities, which are brimming with unattached professionals. More
You'll see double in Twinsburg, Ohio, and Ketchup lovers should beware in Middleton, WI. Here's some of the best and strangest town festivals. Play
NBA Commissioner David Stern says the basketball league is looking to expand its use of technology to improve gameplay and increase its audience. Play
With 67 acres of land and room for 150 horses, the former ranch of the 'King of the Cowboys' sold at auction for $640,000. Play
Find out how TireRack tests and reviews tires and why choosing the right ones for your car is so important. Play
- Ask the Expert
- Best Advice
- Bing!
- Business of Green
- The Buzz
- CNNMoney NOW
- CNNMoney Reports
- Conscious Capitalism
- Corner Office
- Leadership
- Disruptors
- Energy Fix
- Help Desk
- Home Work
- How We Got Started
- Innovation Nation
- My Biz Playbook
- Kids & Money
- Life at the Top
- Look Ahead
- Money Tips
- My Biz Playbook
- New Money
- Rules of Retirement
- Road Warriors
- The Score
- Small & Global
- Small Business Tips
- Street Life
- Strategy Sessions
- Small Biz Makeover
- The Stream
- Tech Transformation
- Techmate
- The Turnaround
- Visionaries
| Index | Last | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 17,113.54 | 61.81 | 0.36% |
| Nasdaq | 4,456.02 | 31.31 | 0.71% |
| S&P 500 | 1,983.53 | 9.90 | 0.50% |
| Treasuries | 2.47 | 0.00 | 0.00% |
Data as of 8:29am ET
| Company | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Corp... | 15.52 | 0.00 | 0.00% |
| Apple Inc | 94.72 | 0.78 | 0.83% |
| Microsoft Corp | 44.83 | -0.00 | -0.01% |
| Intel Corp | 34.79 | 0.73 | 2.14% |
| Facebook Inc | 69.27 | -0.13 | -0.19% |
Data as of Jul 22
Sections
|
Passion fruit, Mexican cinnamon and Ecuadorian cocoa. From coast to coast, entrepreneurs are brewing craft beers that incorporate Latin flavors. More |
One recently retired airline worker on Obamacare said his tax credit for 2014 will return him $3,600 for the year, or 23% of his annual income. He's watching the dueling court rulings closely. More |
Ladar Levison, the guy behind Lavabit, is launching Dark Mail to encrypt emails so the NSA doesn't even know who's talking. More |
Passion fruit, Mexican cinnamon and Ecuadorian cocoa. From coast to coast, entrepreneurs are brewing craft beers that incorporate Latin flavors. More |
Court documents show big support from Detroit employees and retirees for a turnaround plan that should help the city emerge quickly from bankruptcy. More |
.
