[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

RIM tablet to use newly acquired 'infotainment' software?

RIM Said to Plan Crusher Tank Technology for Tablet Computer

Research In Motion's upcoming tablet may not run the BlackBerry OS after all.

In a report Thursday, Bloomberg says it was told by unnamed sources that the so-called "Blackpad" will feature software from QNX Software Systems, a company acquired by RIM in April.

The so-called Blackpad may not get the BlackBerry OS after all.

At the time of the acquisition, RIM said it would use QNX software to "further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems."

Perhaps this is the "infotainment" device referenced? QNX software is used in a variety of applications; interestingly, BMW uses it for in-vehicle navigation and the U.S. Army has it installed in Crusher tanks.

Bloomberg doesn't have a lot of details about what RIM thinks the advantages of using such software in a device intended to compete with the iPad are, other than that there are independent developers who already make apps for QNX.

A solid core of professionally made apps ready for the Blackpad at launch is important. Thanks to the success of the iPhone and iPad, Apple has many people already thinking in terms of apps with these kinds of devices. But what Apple and Google have done well is attract independent developers. Apple's App Store currently boasts 225,000 apps, the most of any mobile app store, and Google's Android, another major player in the burgeoning tablet market, has 100,000 apps.

How many "new" Operating Systems is RIM working on?? Maybe if they concentrated on one....

One interesting point in the original report was that the BlackPad would not connect to cellular networks, so I guess if you want one you will have to pay full price for it. But maybe it will tether with a BB without an extra plan or fee??

[lnichols]

It probably has to do more with the current Blackberry OS limitations. This device has to compete with the iPad (and don't anyone say that it isn't being released because of the iPad because that's why everyone is releasing tablets now), and will have to have a far superior multimedia and web browser experience than anything RIM has ever brought to market to date. If they released a pad running OS 6 it would be an instant failure in what will be a rapidly saturated market place. Personally I think this niche market will continued to be dominated by Apple, with Android based tablets coming in second simply due to saturation just like with the Android phones flooding the market now.

[Xopher]

This has been known around here for at least six months. Old news.

[cplush]

too much legacy code in even os6. they needed to start from a clean slate. im so glad they did....os6 would have killed the tablet....