RIM’s research spending exposed

Canadian firm, RIM spent $1.35 billion on research and development in 2011 alone, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

These figures equate to a tripling of research and development expenditure by RIM since 2008. In that same three-year period, sales of RIM’s BlackBerry units did rise, although this has been blamed upon a general increase in interest across the smartphone market.

In fact, BlackBerry’s smartphone market share dropped 3.4% in 2010, from 19.7% to 16.3%; a reflection of the high-levels of choice now offered to smartphone consumers.

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Release dates leaked for RIM PlayBook and HTC Flyer

UK release dates have reportedly been leaked for RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet as well as HTC’s 7-inch Flyer tablet.

The information, released by mobile operators Three, indicates a May release for the HTC Flyer, while RIM’s PlayBook is pencilled in for a June release.

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RIM’s Playbook aimed at the business market

The first reviews of RIM’s new PlayBook tablet indicate that is is being aimed squarely at the business sector.

Just like RIM’s acclaimed BlackBerry smartphones, it appears the PlayBook tablet could become an ever-present fixture in the hands of businessmen in 2011.

Reliability was always key to the success of the BlackBerry, and that theme has been carried over to the Playbook. Even the early models of the device were fast, responsive and capable of carrying out even the most processor-frying commands with ease.

BlackBerrys and Playbooks can also sync together to share files or to transfer emails into a larger format for scrutinizing and editing. BlackBerry apps, however, will not work on the tablet device.

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App developers brace themselves for a boom in the market

Redearch from market analysts, Gartner has predicted an explosion in the app market, thanks to new tablet devices.

The research foresees app downloads reaching a whopping 185 billion by the close of 2014 as each tech company weighs in with their own range of tablet devices.

The rise of Android smartphones – as well as other OSs – is also expected to have a positive effect on app downloads.

Gartner’s research has shown that 90% of apps downloaded in 2010 were accessed via Apple’s App Store; a percentage that looks likely to decrease thanks to increased competition from companies such as Nokia and Research in Motion.

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RIM Co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, outlines 2011 for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet PC

RIM co-chief executive, Jim Balsillie has been talking about RIM, BlackBerry, the PlayBook Tablet and how RIM aim to dominate 2011.

RIM’s BlackBerry smartphone has carved out a reputation as a reliable and versatile device, but the brand’s image has suffered in 2010 at the hands of trendier Apple and Android devices. The company will be hoping that a New Year onslaught on the tablet market will be enough to boost their profile.

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