BlackBerry Tablet Can Compete with iPad, Android Offerings
pic via pocket-lint.com
Speculation abounds for Research In Motion’s still rumored but expected BlackBerry Tablet (rumored codename “Cobalt”) and while the iPad and coming Android OS-powered offerings are expected to compete, they are not insurmountable obstacles. Take for example Cisco’s coming “Cius”—it will run Android OS and offer video conferencing abilities but it will of course lack support for BlackBerry Enterprise (BBE). Research In Motion (RIM) has worked so hard to get BBE into as many companies as possible, and its tablet offers something that no Android tablet can. It will work without significant modification to existing IT frameworks.
The first assumption to get out of the way regarding the BlackBerry Cobalt is that it is designed to compete with the iPad or any of the lower-end Android OS tablets in the works. The Cisco Cius is shaping up to be the only competitor that RIM will be looking at with its device. While there surely will be some consumers who want a Cobalt, RIM is planning on making its money with corporate clients. Cisco will be too and things could get catty.
While Cisco is a major player in the corporate world, it does not have a line of smartphones like RIM. Companies are going to consider
Cisco tablet
adding BlackBerry tablets for video conferencing before Cisco’s Cius. Their IT departments already know everything about BlackBerrys, so adding a tablet running a BlackBerry operating system will not be seen as a large or costly hurdle requiring more training or investment into infrastructure. RIM’s corporate email system is another selling point. Expect the Cobalt to immediately be able to take advantage of it like its smaller cousins.
It is easy to bash on RIM at the moment, and claim that its tablet will not be able to compete. However, once you figure in how easily it will work with RIM’s existing products and the market that it is being designed for, it becomes clear that RIM really does know what it is doing. The market for tablets in workplaces is growing and with the Cobalt, RIM can really excel in its core market. The business world is waiting, now RIM just has to deliver.
Think that RIM’s tablet will do well?
Can it compete against the iPad and Android OS tablets?
Let us know what you are thinking.
Tags: RIM, BlackBerry Cobalt, tablet, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 9300
i just can’t see this working…
people are suppossed to tether their phones to this pad so that it has mobile connectivity? where does it get the configuration from – the phone or the pad? do i have to duplicate contacts between them? Which configuration is used? do I configure the same email account on both systems? then what happens if they’re tethered – I get a notification on both devices?
and with RIM’s debacles on with low-quality displays, surepress, no app support and touchscreen oddities in general, what the heck am I supposed to do with it besides read my email (with multiple notifications) on a bigger screen?
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A tablet for business is the best thing RIM can do to compete with the iPad. That is, assuming that RIM will realize what Apple didn’t; that even though consumers want to play, they also want to work. MS Office does not work on the iPad at all.
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Yes it can.While business is Blackberries bread and butter.The consumers are the impulse buyers.RIM must know that the largest market is in the consumers.Not saying they should change their business ways but remember that in todays times people are wanting to play while they work too.The consumers are what make things in one day and out the next.A tablet will be a hit in the business world,but an even bigger hit in the consumer world.Even though RIM aim to please the corporate world they must make it consumer fun as well because rather if it were made to compare aginst apple or not the consumers will be making that call and if it don’t live equal to or better than the ipad the consumers will let it be known.their loyalty is in business but the voice is in the consumers which will eat your reputation alive.RIM must please both without short-changing either.
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