Rumor: RIM readies new 7" and 10" tablets

[CanadianThomas]

RIM readies 7in, 10in BlackBerry tablets for 2012 • reghardware

Jut thought I would share.

[anthonybaker]

heres the article for those not wanting to click the link. Also i think this guy is confused a little

"PlayBook 2.0 will be out in February, apparently. Why wait until April to ship a tablet that uses it? Good question, and one that's tricky to answer. You'd have thought RIM would want to get kit out pronto, but maybe it's holding back to see what Apple really comes up with when the Mac maker introduces the iPad 3." sounds like this techblogger doesnt understand that the current playbook will be updated to 2.0. :S thats all we need is more confusing articles the general public will read lol

RIM seems unwilling to give up on tablets, if what's claimed to be a leaked roadmap is correct.

According to the tabulation of the BlackBerry company's plans, a revamped 7in PlayBook will be out in April. It will sport improved, 3G HSPA+ connectivity, fansite 3NBB reports.

By Christmas, RIM will have released a 10in PlayBook, this one with LTE connectivity in countries that have the cellular infrastructure to support the technology.

Crucial to getting it right this time round, will be PlayBook OS 2.0. Demo'd at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week, this software update finally brings native email, calendar and contacts apps to the platform.

PlayBook 2.0 will support remote management with BlackBerry Mobile Fusion - out in April, according to the leak - and separate work from personal stuff with BlackBerry Balance.

PlayBook 2.0 will be out in February, apparently. Why wait until April to ship a tablet that uses it? Good question, and one that's tricky to answer. You'd have thought RIM would want to get kit out pronto, but maybe it's holding back to see what Apple really comes up with when the Mac maker introduces the iPad 3.

RIM is said to have scheduled the release of PlayBook Admin Service for big businesses in the summer.

The first smartphones based on the BlackBerry 10 operating system will be out in September, it's said, though this had been rumoured to be taking place in May. ®

[PTZ]

I read this article too and it seems farfetched- to me there are already enough players in the ten inch tablet market not making sales or money- why go there? I think that Samsung with their Galaxy Note are looking in a new direction- half cell phone half tablet- RIM should stay with their forte but refine it- the business enterprise communication thing. I like my Playbook but there has been to much drama regarding it.

[glennster28]

Odd thing happened earlier today.. I read something similar to this in a downtown Toronto elevator this afternoon. You know those elevators with a news screen to keep occupants occupied during the ride.

There hasn't been any announcements, but according to the news flash, the "Playbook 2" will be launched later this year with NEW 7 and 10 inch models.

[ALToronto]

With so many inaccuracies in the article, I cannot take any of the information seriously. Does this guy not realize that existing PBs will run OS2? Although, it makes business sense for RIM to put out a tablet with a token hw upgrade (independent HPSA+) to justify getting retail pricing back up where it should be.

[christenmartin]

I'm fairly new to the techno club, game, fanboy,....whatever. I've noticed there is alot of bs thrown around! I understand the bad reviews and less than positive press. When a company advertises ALOT with you, you tend to write accordingly. I think the best thing is to go with what the company releases and what is actually out. This article is incoherent.

[ummie4]

A month or 2 ago RIM tech support did tell me that new hardware (playbook) will be released in q1 2012. I asked them hardware? not software? and she confirmed hardware. I think all that means is 3g modem tho nothing too huge.

[lotuslanderz]

Actually, I believe this is the source for the article the OP posted:
What’s Coming? New 7″ & 10″ PlayBook, One BlackBerry 10 Phone, Two Curves and More | N4BB - News for BlackBerry - leaks, rumors, videos, faqs, reviews
Lots of interesting tidbits at that site....

[grahamf]

Originally Posted by ummie4

A month or 2 ago RIM tech support did tell me that new hardware (playbook) will be released in q1 2012. I asked them hardware? not software? and she confirmed hardware. I think all that means is 3g modem tho nothing too huge.

She may be right, but I think all it is, is that the preloaded OS is upgraded to OS2 and a sticker is slapped onto the box.

[buckwylder]

I can't wait for more devices! First things first though, I want 2.0!

[Hush9300]

RIM need to focus on getting the OS and the ecosystem ready for prime time in anticipation of BB10...

I see them releasing a 7" with radio but they need to drop plans for other tablets for the time being.

[deRusett]

Originally Posted by Hush9300

RIM need to focus on getting the OS and the ecosystem ready for prime time in anticipation of BB10...

I see them releasing a 7" with radio but they need to drop plans for other tablets for the time being.

I disagree

The PB with HSPA+ means they get to have more of us as Beta testers for their radio stack being sandboxed from the OS so they can show carriers their new push infrastructure, as well as show how Carriers will be supporting BB10 devices in the future. it is a great test bed.
the 10" PB with LTE will just be an expansion of the first BB10 LTE device, chances are it will be very similar and the OS development for it will be a branch off of BB10 LTE of the first phone, The hardware teams would be different teams, and the core software team will be getting things done anyway.
RIM needs a 10" Tablet for the home market, and for the reviewers who think 7" is just too small, RIM having both form factors in 2013 with BB10 gives them a better range and larger user base for the ecosystem to develop for.

[sam_b77]

Wouldn't a 10" PB be a larger device than other 10" devices since the Bezel will occupy some space?
That would become a big tablet.

[deRusett]

Originally Posted by sam_b77

Wouldn't a 10" PB be a larger device than other 10" devices since the Bezel will occupy some space?
That would become a big tablet.

I suspect on a 10" tablet they would reduce the bezel by 3-5mm and it would still be very usable, I am sure part of the reason for the Bezel on the 7" playbook is room for all the components, speakers, and battery in such a small form factor.

do note RIM has 2 Front facing Speakers on their 7" tablet, while most other tablets have a single rear facing speaker

[Sith_Apprentice]

Playbook 2.0 - Feb 17 *Free
Playbook Admin Service/Mobile Fusion - Feb 17 *Free
4G Playbook - May/June (Same specs just adds LTE only, Verizon for now)
10" Playbook - Does exist in a physical touchable fashion lol (and has traveled recently, wonder if TSA gave it a pat down? lol)