While most of India was asleep, Blackberry gave a press release introducing the Blackberry Playbook which looks awesome on paper.
The tablet utilizes an OS created by the recently acquired QNX. People not familiar with QNX may ask "What's so great about that?" Well lets explore a few applications of the QNX Neutrino microkernal architecture. It is used to support "mission-critical applications in everything from planes, trains and automobiles to medical equipment and the largest core routers that run the Internet."
Blackberry claims it will be an awesome gaming platform and the best part: It supports flash AND HTML 5!! Did you hear that Apple? No more compromising on a full web experience while using a tablet. It also supports true multiprocessing and multitasking. The Playbook will also have a HDMI port and a MicroUSB port! The tablet -- which Blackberry calls "the fastest tablet ever" -- will sport a 7 " 1024x600 WSVGA multi touch capacitive touch screen, 1 GB RAM, 1 GHz dual core processor, a front facing 3 MP HD cam, a rear 5 MP HD cam and weighs in at a cool 400g! Multitasking is handled like it is on WebOS; with a "card" approach.
As Per Blackberry, the tablet will see an early 2011 release in the US and a Q2 release in the international markets.
You can read the full press release here
Playbook Preview video:
Specs at a glance:
* 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
* Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
* 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:
o Measures 5.1"x7.6"x0.4" (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
o 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.
