Rumor: RIM's BlackPad Will Have... Android?

By Kevin Parrish
published

Apple Daily claims that the BlackPad will be Android-driven.

Will the BlackBerry tablet use the Android OS? That's what Chinese-based Apple Daily reports along with claims that Taiwan-based notebook maker Quanta Computer has signed on to manufacture the device. Even more, RIM's BlackPad is slated for a November 2010 release, and will retail for $499 USD, "confirming" previous reports.

In addition to those details, the BlackPad will reportedly feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, however the 3G connection will be accomplished by tethering a BlackBerry smartphone. Previous reports have also indicated that the device will have a 9.7-inch screen, and both a front and a rear-facing camera for video conferencing.

Quanta is expected to start shipping orders in September with volumes to reach two million units before the end of the year--eight million are expected to have shipped in 2011. As for the Android OS, that factor seems unlikely. If anything, RIM will incorporate a modified version of BlackBerry 6 that will be more suited for a 9.6-inch touchscreen.

Then again, it's possible that RIM modified a tablet-oriented build of Android to mimic the overall theme of the smaller BlackBerry 6. This would cut down on the overall development time and get a product out before Tablet Season (aka Q4 2010) comes to a close. Still, an Android-based OS seems unlikely for RIM.

Kevin Parrish
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • eklipz330
    godd MORE PADS? i hate this trend. almost as much as i hate the 3d trend.


    god forbid they make a tag team.
    Reply
  • ares1214
    breaking news, Apple and RIM form a tag team making a 3D tablet :P
    Reply
  • MarioJP
    dfsdkfsd
    Reply
  • tipoo
    I call BS, but it would be nice. A blackpad (what a horrible name) with vanilla BB OS6 would appeal to only a limited niche, moreso than the iPad.
    Reply
  • dEAne
    More pad, I wonder what else in the coming months, pads?
    Reply
  • hakesterman
    I doubt very much it's going to have black berry 6 operating software installed. I am willing to bet it is going to be a full pledged Android 2.2 or higher and it will Rock. It's only downfall perhaps will be Battery life compared to the Ipad. The Android version will beat out anything Dell or HP will produce useing Windows 7 so i am atually excited for Android for the Tablet/ Pad market.

    Reply
  • zaznet
    What's the point of making a pad and then running an OS that already competes with your platform? RIM may as well admit defeat to Android and port their BlackBerry system over to run on Droids.
    Reply
  • gm0n3y
    1) Tablets have still failed to provide any reason for their existence beyond niche markets. Until tablets can do something important better than a laptop, they are dead to me.

    2) So an Apple website is telling us that Blackberry will be using Android? That's just odd.
    Reply
  • victorc777
    @gm0n3y, I own an iPad and I would have never of guessed how productive I could be with it until I got it. It makes research, emailing, reading ( books and magazines), casual gaming, music, movies, streaming content and remote access to you computer at home SO FRIGGIN EASY! I have a laptop that is currently dusty because I almost never find a reason to boot it up. My iPad is always on and lasts all day.... You were saying?
    Reply