Blackberry Maker RIM To Enter Tablet Market With 'Playbook'

Blackberry maker Research in Motion today announced the Playbook, a new tablet computer designed to take on Apple's popular iPad in areas including gaming. The tablet, which will sport a seven-inch HD multitouch widescreen and weigh less than a pound, will notably support content written for Adobe's Flash Player, Adobe Mobile AIR and Java, formats Apple's iOS devices do not natively support. RIM also promised the device would include support for Webkit/HTML5 and OpenGL content, as well as the new BlackBerry WebWorks app platform, also announced today. In addition, the Associated Press reports that RIM has invited Electronic Arts to create games for the device. "This is going to be an incredible gaming platform for publishers and the players," said QNX's Dan Dodge, who developed the device's BlackBerry Tablet OS, at an event announcing the device, as reported by Engadget. While initial models of the Playbook will only support wireless networking via Wi-Fi, RIM promised 3G and 4G cellular models would be available in the future. The device also includes dual HD video cameras, an HDMI output and a wireless bluetooth connection that will allow for easy syncing with content on Blackberry smart phones. Apple recently loosened restrictions on App development for its iOS devices, including the iPad, allowing developers to use third party tools like Adobe's in creating Apps for the system. Gaming has not been a focus for RIM's popular Blackberry smartphones, which cater foremost to enterprise users. RIM announced an "early 2011" release target for the device, which does not yet have a suggested retail price.