The Blackberry BlackPad sadly didn’t break cover when the Blackberry Torch 9800 was unveiled but hey, that means the intriguing rumours can continue. The latest comes truly from left-field: a new report says the Blackpad won’t run the Blackberry 6 OS but instead turn to QNX, the software maker that powers Porsche navigation systems and US Army Crusher tanks. Is RIM really turning away from its own OS for the tablet?
Anonymous sources quoted by Bloomberg claim RIM has turned to fellow Canadian company QNX to develop the Blackpad OS. The firm, which is based in Ottawa, has developed music, media and navigation systems for BMW and Porsche as well as software for the US Army.
The Blackberry Blackpad remains firmly in folder marked “rumours” but details have been popping up in reports for months. Some reports suggest it’ll arrive packing Wi-Fi only and act a companion for your Blackberry while others describe a more fully-featured tablet with 3G smarts.
QNX’s roster of clients is pretty impressive but after slaving over the Blackberry 6 OS, it does seem slightly odd that RIM would jump to an entirely new OS. But with reports that Blackberry Torch sales are sluggish, taking another direction with the Blackpad could be a good move.
What do you make of the rumours? Should RIM even be making a Blackpad? And if it is, would you rather see the Blackberry 6 OS onboard or a brand new OS?
Out TBC | £TBC | RIM (via Bloomberg)
