BlackBerry planning iPad rival

Research In Motion, Canadian maker of BlackBerrys, is rumoured to be working on a rival to the iPad, dubbed the BlackPad by tech watchers.

The device is scheduled for launch in November, according to reports, and will be roughly the same size as Apple's device. RIM has already acquired the rights to the blackpad.com internet domain.

Users will be able to connect their BlackPad to the internet using the wireless connection of their mobile phone, rather than having to pay separately for 3G network access as users of the iPad must.

The introduction of the iPad, which hit UK stores in May, has reinvigorated the market for so-called tablet computers. In its recent results, Apple said it has sold 3.27m worldwide. But Steve Jobs' Californian design empire is unlikely to have the market all to itself for long.

Several computer manufacturers are planning tablet devices based on Google's rival Android software, which is already gaining a major foothold in the mobile phone market.

Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy tablet before the end of next month while LG plans to introduce one under its Optimus brand by Christmas.

Source: Media Guardian

David Hockney has started 'painting' on an iPad in preference to paper

Looks like Hockney doesn’t agree with Bill Gates that tablets need a stylus. In fact, he’s a confirmed iPad fan. He works with the iPhone/iPad App 'Brushes', using his fingers to “paint” directly onto the iPad screen to create digi-art which he sends out as emails.

The iPad is the newest example of Hockney's experimental streak; cameras, faxes, printers, and mirrors, as well as the more conventional oil, watercolour and pencil have all been used. And in the last year he has created many paintings on his iPhone.

Speaking to the Evening Standard about his iPad, Hockney said: “The iPad is far more subtle, in fact it really is like a drawing pad. They will sell by the million. It will change the way we look at everything from reading newspapers to the drawing pad.”

In fact, Hockney’s love of the iPad is so extreme, it almost sounds like he’s auditioning to takeover from Steve Jobs at the next keynote: “It can be anything you want it to be. This is the nearest we have got to seeing what I would call a universal machine.”

Last year he started doing pictures on his iPhone, stating: ""BlackBerries are for secretaries and clerical workers while the iPhone is used by artistic people".

Speaking of Blackberries… (and they don't often get a mention on this blog)

I loved this animation concept for Blackberry 6 (well it helps that it's set to one of my fave toons. Thanks for alerting me to it, Avishay

BlackBerry to launch tablet codenamed BlackPad?

With the iPad having one hell of a successful run in the market, it would be a logical decision for most smartphone manufacturers to start working on future devices based on a similar form factor and functionality. According to an article on BBleaks, Canadian corporate handset maker Research In Motion (RIM), better known for their BlackBerry range of handsets is also contemplating bringing out such a device and it may happen as soon as by 2012.

Internally codenamed "BlackPad", or "Cobalt", depending on which source to trust, this tablet would be thinner and smaller than the iPad and will run the BlackBerry OS modified for the device to take advantage of its unique features. It is rumored to include an 8.9-inch touchscreen display. The device is rumored to get launched in WES 2011, so if you liked the iPad concept, but still love the BlackBerry, then you better hold on to your cash, until some concrete evidence comes forth real soon.

Source: Techtree.com