RIM to introduce tablet in November to rival iPad
By Brian - on July 30th, 2010 7:56 PM EST
Posted in - Apple, Mobile, News

Bloomberg is claiming that they have been told by two tipsters who are familiar with RIM that the company is planning on releasing a tablet computer in November of this year that will directly rival the Apple iPad. According to the tipster, pricing for the BlackPad will be the same as the base Wi-Fi only iPad model, $499.

The device is rumored to have a 9.7-inch display, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. The device will also reportedly allow users with Blackberry smartphones to use the Internet connection from their phone for the tablet. There will also be a front-facing camera, as well as a back-facing camera for video conferencing, sounding very similar to Apple’ FaceTime video conferencing feature.

RIM is also reportedly going to call the device “BlackPad,” as they purchased the domain blackpad.com this month, according to the WHOIS database.

One thing is for sure – if RIM is going to enter the tablet computer industry, and almost directly copying Apple’s iPad features (and even name), they better have something big hiding under their belts. Good luck, RIM!

RIM is stepping up its competition with Apple on multiple fronts. The company is hosting an event in New York Aug. 3 at which it will debut its BlackBerry 9800 slider phone, according to one person familiar with its plans. The device will feature a full touchscreen like Apple’s iPhone and a slideout Qwerty keyboard to allow for easy e-mail typing, the person said.

RIM plans to use the phone to regain the market share it has lost recently to its U.S. rival. RIM’s share of the smartphone market fell to 19.4 percent of global shipments in the first quarter from 20.9 percent a year earlier, according to researcher IDC, based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Apple claimed 16.1 percent of the smartphone market, up from 10.9 percent a year earlier.

We initially reported on a possible Research in Motion tablet back in May, but it appears as though that report was inaccurate due to these new specifications released today.

Research in Motion has refused to comment on today’s claims.