RIM expected to unveil tablet next week

By Laura Khalil September 22, 2010

blackberry — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Research in Motion (RIM) is expected to enter the tablet market, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the company will announce its tablet offering next week in San Francisco.

It’s expected that the company will not be using the Blackberry 6 OS, but a new operating system developed by the recently acquired QNX.

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In recent years the company has struggled to see its Blackberry operating system compete with Android and Apple. A new operating system could the solution they’ve been looking for. According to reports, QNX will eventually implement its software in the BlackBerry line as well.

Internally dubbed the BlackPad, few details are known about the device. It will reportedly have a 7-inch touchscreen and at least one, possibly two, cameras. It will be Bluetooth and broadband compatible, but will require a tethered BlackBerry to connect to cellular networks, WSJ said. Carriers have not been announced.

It is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.

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Laura is a tech reporter for Digital Trends, the editor of Dorkbyte and a science blogger for PBS. She's been named one of…

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