Remember when the Apple iPad was still a rumor, but everyone was anxious to know more about it? Well, it’s like deja-vu all over again with rumors of a possible BlackBerry Tablet by Research In Motion. Just a few days ago, we learned that the device was [allegedly] real, and that was currently under development under either “BlackPad” or “Cobalt” codenames. We also learned that it could be smaller and thinner than the iPad.
Now, according to Rodman Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar, Research In Motion was originally planning to use the Android operating system to power the tablet, but has reconsidered and decided to go with its own BlackBerry OS 6. Kumar also states that this mysterious BlackBerry Tablet will use a Marvell ARMADA processor instead of one made by Intel.
Additionally, a touchscreen swipe gesture patent was filed by RIM on April 1, 2010, and recently uncovered by BBLeaks. The patent describes how to use a finger in somewhat intricate moves to perform different actions such as close a window on a buttonless touchscreen device. As BBLeaks points out, many of the swipe gestures are reminiscent of gestures used by BumpTop, which Google acquired earlier this week.
Expectations are extremely high when it comes to a BlackBerry Tablet. After Microsoft killed the Courier, Research In Motion remains as the only company that could really produce a great iPad rival. RIM has, and has always had an upper hand in the enterprise and business sector, thanks to its amazing email and security. Additionally, a new and improved version of its App World is said to be released soon, which could definitely help the adoption of the BlackBerry Tablet — given that its application roster continues to become larger.
Hopefully RIM produces a great and sleek device that doesn’t look anything like the ugly BlackBerry Slider or BlackBerry 9670 [clamshell]. Everything from the operating system down to aesthetics has to be more than perfect if it wants to stand a chance against the Apple iPad — which has turned out to be a very successful product, despite negative commentary after its announcement.
RIM should definitely take its time perfecting the device, and not make the same mistake it made when it launched the BlackBerry Storm. Most importantly, it should not try to imitate Apple and its iPad. RIM is capable of so much more when it produces its own ideas.