BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) just unveiled its enterprise-grade mobile tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook. Though the device is aimed at enterprise smartphone users -- in fact, it's meant specifically for BlackBerry users -- the PlayBook also has a strong multimedia focus.
Here's a quick list of top-level technical specifications:
The BlackBerry PlayBook is 9.7 mm in thickness. Its widescreen display is 7 inches. The PlayBook browser supports HTML 5 and full Flash 10.1. Two HD cameras, one on the front and another on the PlayBook's rear side, enable HD video capture and video conferencing. The BlackBerry tablet uses non-proprietary HDMI connections and USB ports. And the PlayBook packs a powerful dual-core, 1GHz processor.
It's "out-of-the-box" compatible with RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). The BlackBerry PlayBook doesn't require any sort of data plan of its own -- it connects to your BlackBerry smartphone via Bluetooth -- and no additional software is required, so it shouldn't create any new headaches for IT managers.
The BlackBerry "PlayBook" offers users an "amplified view of BlackBerry," according to RIM's co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, who announced the device at the company's BlackBerry Developer Conference in San Francisco.
"The BlackBerry PlayBook, like BlackBerry smartphones, will become the enterprise standard," said Lazaridis, while announcing the new device. Pricing details are unknown at this point, but the BlackBerry PlayBook should be available in early 2011.
Check out the preview video for more on RIM's upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.