Rumor: RIM scrapping 10-inch BlackBerry tablet
Company has reportedly put the kibosh on its rumored 10-inch PlayBook tablet, according to NB44, and is instead devoting energy to a QNX-powered "superphone."
Research In Motion has reportedly put the brakes on a 10-inch PlayBook tablet and is instead focusing on a new BlackBerry "superphone," according to enthusiast site N4BB.
Previous rumors had pointed to RIM launching a 10-inch follow-up to its current 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. But N4BB said yesterday that it had received "word" that the company has changed its mind and has stopped development on the new tablet, citing the focus on the new superphone as the reason.
Though the alleged superphone has no name or launch date at this point, N4BB listed some of its key specs, including a single-core 1.2GHz processor, 4.3-inch touch screen, and at least a 900-pixel resolution. The new phone would also be powered by RIM's QNX operating system, the same OS found in the PlayBook tablet.
The tech site added that since RIM has cancelled its plans for a 10-inch tablet, the company is turning more of its attention to the LTE 4G version of its PlayBook, slated to launch this October.
Responding to a request from CNET, a RIM representative said it's company policy not to comment on rumors and speculation.
N4BB didn't cite any other reason for the alleged cancellation of the alleged 10-inch tablet. But reportedly, RIM recently trimmed the internal sales target for its 7-inch PlayBook as a result of weak demand, according to sources cited by DigiTimes. The company now expects to sell 800,000 to 900,000 tablets for the second quarter, down from its initial goal of 2.4 million units, DigiTimes reported last week.