RIM BlackPad to Feature New OS Built by QNX Software Systems

For the Canadian-based Research In Motion, the release of the BlackBerry Torch on AT&T was meant to signify a departure from the norm that RIM has been so connected to over the years. And while the Torch, and its Operating System (BlackBerry 6), may indeed be different for the company as a whole, it wasn’t as revolutionary as many thought it would be. Perhaps that change is coming in their first tablet endeavor, the BlackPad, with the latest rumors suggesting that RIM isn’t going to use BlackBerry 6, but instead go a different route.

Three separate sources have confirmed to Bloomberg that RIM is indeed going to allow their recent purchase of QNX Software Systems dictate the future of their tablet device. The rumors suggest that the new Operating System will be built from the ground-up specifically for the BlackPad, and won’t be any kind of upscale on previous OS versions. While many thought RIM would just use BlackBerry 6 for the tablet, as it is optimized for touchscreen devices, apparently some legacy code in the fledgling OS makes that more difficult than it is worth.

The 9.7-inch tablet device, featuring a brand new Operating System, means that Research In Motion is treading into relatively unknown waters, and they’re planning on making a significant splash. Is this the change that RIM lovers have been waiting for? What about those shareholders? Only time will tell. But, hopefully that November announcement is true.

Via : slashgear

RIM BlackPad will get a new operating system from QNX?

Insider source said what operating system will use a tablet BlackPad from RIM. Previously it was thought that a new BlackBerry, 6 although zip and messages about Android.

According to new data, a single software platform for BlackPad developed by QNX Software Systems, which RIM acquired in April. Software from QNX is used in products of companies such as Cisco Systems, General Electric and Caterpillar. It is not clear how accurate data on the new OS for BlackPad and what is due to a manufacturer.

Recall of the tablet from RIM already has some preliminary information. It should become a sort of companion for smartphones BlackBerry. The device is equipped with 9.7-inch touch screen (on other data - 8,9 inch), 1 GHz processor, two cameras (back and front) and Wi-Fi adapter and Bluetooth. But support for cellular networks, probably will not. Issue BlackPad tablet can be held in November.

Via : it-chuiko.com

QNX Rumored to be Developing Software for BlackBerry Tablet aka BlackPad

Details and rumors are trickling out about the BlackBerry tablet aka the BlackPad. The latest of rumors is that the software the device will be running is developed by QNX Software Systems, the company recently acquired by RIM for $200M.

QNX has a lot of experience making integrated systems that run in your car, home as well as business sectors such as industrial and medical fields.

It would be really interesting to see RIM’s tablet entering the enterprise market with its gold standard security and a cool new software system.

Someone close to RIM has recently said that the BlackPad is designed to capitalize on RIM’s strength with corporate customers, particularly with email. The tablet will be closely integrated with the BlackBerry’s email system and will have similar security for messaging, the person said.

While the BlackPad will not have any radio connectivity, it will feature Bluetooth and WiFi and piggyback on the BlackBerry’s connectivity. With Wifi,

Rather than use a larger version of BlackBerry 6, it’s said that RIM chose QNX because BlackBerry 6 includes legacy software code from older BlackBerry phones.

Via : blackberrycool.com

BlackPad to Run Its Own Operating System

It appears that Waterloo, Ontario-based Research In Motion intends to equip its upcoming BlackBerry Tablet — also known as BlackPad — with an operating system other than its BlackBerry OS. The highly anticipated and intriguing device will reportedly run on software developed by QNX Software Systems, which RIM acquired from Harman International back in April of this year for $200 million.

Already, several companies such as Cisco, General Electric, and Caterpillar are said to use software created by QNX. More importantly, there are various independent developers already creating applications for the platform, which is probably why RIM has chosen to go with QNX instead of its newly-introduced BlackBerry OS 6.

QNX software is also used to control systems inside popular vehicles from companies such as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Porsche SE. Additionally, the computer used to navigate a six-wheel unmanned U.S. army vehicle called The Crusher uses QNX’s Neutrino software.

However, the BlackPad will also feature some of the features that make BlackBerry smartphones great such as push email and data encryption. The device will also work over Wi-Fi. Though users will be able to access the Internet on the go by tethering the BlackPad to their BlackBerry smartphones using Bluetooth.

RIM has, of course, declined to comment on the matter. The BlackPad is expected to be introduced and may released in November of this year.

Via : erictric.com

LG: Optimus tablet “better than the iPad”; 10 new phones in 2H 2010

Brave words from LG this week, with the company pledging not only to launch 10 new smartphone models by the end of 2010, but promising that its upcoming tablet will “be better than the iPad.” Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, vice president of marketing for LG mobile devices Chang Ma revealed that an Optimus-branded tablet is planned for release in Q4 this year, with “high-end features and new benefits”; the unnamed slate will also have a focus on content creation rather than consumption, with support for document writing, video editing and even coding.

Ma describes it as “surprisingly productive” and points to the iPad’s focus on content consumption as one of its key drawbacks. LG sees the US market as most important for the tablet, but will not confirm any wireless carrier involvement such as Apple has with AT&T.

The company has already committed to releasing a smartphone based on NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset in Q4 2010. That will be one of ten new devices by year’s end, in LG’s attempt to grab a 5m unit share of the market, followed by an LTE-capable device in early 2011.

Via : slashgear

Why Shouldn’t LG’s Android Tablet Be Better Than The iPad?

An Executive at LG is confirming that their upcoming Android tablet which features Nvidia Optimus Technology among other things will be “productive” and better than the iPad. The Executives that made the declaration to the Wall Street Journal is the Marketing VP so this could just be his ploy to get some attention to the upcoming LG tablet.

Right now LG will have to contend with ASUS’, HP’s, Blackberry’s, MSI’s, Notion Ink’s, Samsung’s, Verizon’s tablet and the rumored 7-inch iPad Mini for headlines. Even with that being said we should still take the Marketing VP’s comments seriously the LG tablet really could be much better than the Apple iPad. Although, why shouldn’t it be better than the iPad? Shouldn’t all of the upcoming tablet’s be better than the iPad?

The iPad has been out now for a while, everyone has seen it and gotten to point out it’s flaws as well as things Apple got right. All of these companies aren’t dumb they have to have seen all the same pro’s and con’s as you or me. All of the companies coming with a tablet should produce devices that are either better or the same as the iPad. There just isn’t an excuse for them not to. The formula is out they just have to copy it and hopefully make a better product.

Via : tablets-planet

LG’s Tablet To Be Better Than The iPad, They Sure Think So

According to the piece by WSJ, the tablet is on track to be available for consumers by the end of the year under LG’s Optimus line. The tablet will run Google’s Android OS, and will set itself apart from the iPad, by focusing on allowing the user to create content and not just display it, which is how LG’s sees the iPad.

Not to completely diss Apple, Mr. Ma said that the iPad is a great device, but he doesn’t do much work on it. “Our tablet will be better than the iPad.”

It seems that with this tablet, LG is definitely going after the business market as well as the consumer market by making what they feel is – what I would call, a more “complete” device than the iPad. As of yet, there is no indication as to whether they will package it with a data plan from a wireless carrier like Verizon or AT&T.

For now one has to wonder, can LG really deliver? The iPad is an excellent device and while a lot of folks attempt to make more appealing and functional products than Apple, very few actually succeed. Guess we will just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, jump on over to Wall Street Journal and read the complete article, it is a really interesting article about a company that generally doesn’t normally give a lot of insight into their future direction. But before you go, do you think LG can really pull this off?

Via : zoknowsgaming.com

Sony Alpha A580, A560 Leaked, Record 1080i Video

Sony’s camera department seems to be quite prone to leaks as of lately, as just now another two models have emerged and have been made available to the curiosity of the public eye – this time it’s a new pair of Alpha DSLR models, and they’re both looking like quite the tasty deals.

The new cameras are both successors to the Alpha A550, and their model names are A580 and A560. According to the leak, the first camera features a 16 megapixel sensor, while the latter is equipped with a 14 megapixel one. Both cameras can shoot in a wide 100-12,800 ISO range, and feature slots for Memory Stick and SD cards. The display is also looking interesting, as it can be tilted.

Also worth mentioning is that both models will feature 15 autofocus points, which is quite an improvement over the previous number of 8. They can also record video in a 1080i AVCHD mode, which makes them even more spectacular – we definitely can’t wait to see how much they’re going to cost.

Via : devicemag.com

Sony whets your appetite with Alpha A560 and A580 leaks

Sony's Alpha range of DSLRs have proven to be a success on their own so far, so it is refreshing to know that the consumer electronics giant is working on a couple more models to hit the market soon - namely, the A560 and A580.

The former will be a classic DSLR that will share many features with the A33, boasting a 14-megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 100 to 12800, the ability to record video in 1080i resolution, 15 AF points with some of them being cross-point, dual memory card slots and a swiveling display.

How does the A580 fare? Well, it does better in the megapixel count at 16-megapixels, but then again do bear in mind that a higher figure does not automatically translate to better looking images. One can only wait until Sony releases an official statement on either camera.

Via : ubergizmo.com

Switched On: Gluts and glory

Before the mass adoption of smartphones in the U.S., many fretted that the heavy subsidization model was feeding a free handset model that would keep Americans hopelessly addicted to basic voice plans and phones optimized for them.

The price consumers paid in relation to the value of the handset, it was argued, was hopelessly out of whack. This year, a string of successful smartphones have shown that an increasing percentage of U.S. consumers are willing to pay $200 for a flagship device. On the other hand, there's still ample evidence that price and value can remain disconnected. And the carriers aren't making it much easier.

The smartphone surge has been driven in part by a desire to acquire the best and by a response to carrier advertising. However, a recent run-up in advanced smartphones have made it difficult to define a clear top of the line at many carriers, and carriers simply cannot promote them all with the same attention lavished on the iPhone or original Droid.

Take the turn of events at Verizon, for example, which in the space of a few months has rolled out the Droid Incredible, Droid X and Droid 2, with the Samsung Fascinate in the wings. At least the first three have been all priced at $199, with strong precedent for the Fascinate coming in at that level. And while AT&T has been a bit more diverse in the operating systems of its recent spate of high-end contenders -- the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch and Samsung Captivate -- they too have all been priced at $199.

And for those who find that moderate confusion level of this uniformity humdrum, Sprint has thrown things for a loop with its recent pricing of the Epic 4G at $249. The most feature-packed of the Galaxy S quadruplets with its sliding keyboard and front-facing camera, Sprint has taken a risk in pricing the Epic 4G above its own recently launched EVO 4G and its larger, enthusiast-beckoning 4.3-inch display.

In contrast, while the Droid 2 is not a perfect counterpart to the Epic 4G, Verizon's highest-end keyboard-packing Droid has not crossed the $199 transom. But counter to Sprint's focus on the keyboard, Verizon has implied that the Droid X is its highest-end handset -- and its feature set matches up fairly well against the EVO 4G.

Read More @ engadget.com

Exclusive: LG C900 for AT&T has Windows Phone 7, shows off a little carrier branding

If you're prepping for a Windows Phone 7 purchase later this year and the Cetus doesn't really do it for you, we understand -- not everyone can live without a physical keyboard, and devices like the Touch Pro2 have gotten us used to the idea that Windows Mobile and great QWERTY go hand-in-hand.

To that end, we present to you the LG C900, a rounded landscape slider equipped with a four-row keyboard and a simplified two-button capacitive layout beneath the screen paired with a chrome Windows key.

Notably, this is the first time we've seen carrier branding on Windows Phone 7's home screen in the wild -- you can see AT&T's logo prominently displayed as a tile in one of the pictures in the gallery after the break. We're not sure we're digging the matte plasticky look up front, but to each his own, we suppose.

Via : engadget.com