Apple are rumoured to be responsible for RIM PlayBook delay

The delay in the release of RIM’s tablet device –the PlayBook – may have been caused by a shortage in components, thanks to Apple securing the entire inventories of some component producers for use with their own iPad 2 device.

The PlayBook had originally been scheduled for a stateside release on April 19th, a date that has now been knocked back by a month.

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RIM relying on successful PlayBook launch after poor sales

Canadian firm, Research in Motion – or RIM – have reported yet another quarter of negative growth as their smartphone market share dips below a quarter.

Now commanding only 22% of the smartphone market, RIM are reliant on a successful launch for their PlayBook tablet to boost the company’s fortunes.

The device is scheduled for release in the US and Canada on April 19th, making the next three weeks a nervous time for CEO Jim Balsillie and his colleagues at RIM.

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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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Analysts predict Apple’s dominance of the tablet market in 2011

Apple will continue to dominate the tablet market in 2011 according to a new report by market researchers, Canalys.

Canalys’ report predicts that tablet sales will hit 52 million units over the course of 2011, with 75% of sales lining the pockets of Apple.

There are parallels between this report and an earlier one by Goldman Sachs, which predicted that 54.7 million tablet units would be sold in 2011, and that of those units 37.2 million would be Apple iPads or iPad 2s.

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RIM’s PlayBook tablet rumoured to support Android apps

BlackBerry makers, RIM are rumoured to be entering into a partnership with Google to produce apps for RIM’s upcoming PlayBook tablet.

The slightly bizarre move could turn out to be a masterstroke on the part of the Canadian firm, whose App World app market has been criticised for not offering users enough choice.

To understand these criticisms it is worth noting that, while RIM is currently offering over 20,000 apps to its customers, Google’s Android Market now offers their customers over 200,000. A merger would certainly prove attractive to prospective PlayBook consumers.

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New research shows iPad’s dominance in 2010

New research has revealed the true extent of Apple’s dominance of the tablet market in 2010, proclaiming that 93% of all tablet devices sold in Q3 were iPads.

The figures – released by ABI Research – showed that 4.5 million tablet devices were shipped in Q3, of which a staggering 4.19 million were iPad devices.

However, ABI’s senior practice director, Jeff Orr does not expect such a monopoly to continue, as numerous challengers wait in the wings to release their own iPad competitors:

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iPads and other tablets are backed by House of Lords

A report issued by the House of Lords has backed the use of tablet devices and smartphones within the Lords chamber and grand committee.

There had been some limited opposition to the report by those who claimed that the devices would create a distraction – opposition that was countered by the amendment that all such devices must be kept on silent.

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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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