this could turn out to be really interesting - lets just hope they dont underestimate the value of putting some powerful hardware on the tablet!

this could go either way it could be really bad or it could be really good hopefully meets somewhere in the middle of totally know but yet familiar to us addicts...

Could this also be the supposed OS for the storm 3 (not the refresh) that was talked about.

Looking forward to this unit, really hope it complements well.

this could be a smart move or another meh one by RIM. guess we'll find out soon enough..

Wish it was running the Blackberry OS

Wouldn't this make apps for the traditional BB OS not compatible with the BlackPad?

I posted an article on my tumblr blog contemplating whether or not it would be a QNX OS build or it would be an Android build. Most likely QNX. I HIGHLY doubt that RIM would slap a bigger OS6 onto a tablet.

Brand new device type for RIM, with a brand new OS, I can see the logic there. They may be putting their QNX purchase towards building the brand new BlackBerry OS every one seem to wish OS6 was.

Putting a new OS on the BlackPad would allow RIM to get real customer feed back on the OS, and if it fails they don't have to scrap a newly designed phone...

Is it really going to be called the BlackPad? That just seems so... meh.

They should focus on perfecting the Torch's software first.

This is complete speculation based on nothing but extrapolating information from various other rumors, but is it probable that QNX will be handling a second, separate, OS for RIM"s "non-keyboard" devices (i.e. Blackpad & Storm Series)? Maybe it is just wishful thinking on my part, however I think it would be a wise decision on RIM's part if they were headed in that direction.

I have loved both of my Storms, but a better more fluid totally redesigned UI is what is needed!

...

OS 6.1, anyone? OS 6 for 'legacy' (aka 9700-based devices) and 6.1 for Storm 3/BlackPad based devices. Makes sense to me as RIM has been overdue for a major hardware refresh for quite some time now.

Blackberry OS migrated to more or less the same UI with a foundation of QNX would be amazing. Then blackberry would just need to resolve hardware.

I don't know if many of you have used QNX is... but there is no comparison for its level of responsiveness, even under very heavy load. It's stability is also the best you'll find outside of very specialized aerospace systems.

Let's hope RIM actually makes use of this resource.

Make this into an iPad killer!

I want to be able to bluetooth my 9700 to it to act as keyboard, use the usb cable or have some sort of slide out keyboard... It's one thing that is often commented on is how hard it is to type for any length of time on the iPad without sitting in very odd places.

I'm no expert on RIM terminology, but I did notice that the slide from the following article on the Bold 9780 (http://crackberry.com/leaked-training-slides-show-internal-overview-blac...) describes it as having "HH Software 6.0". To me, the specification that it's "HH" or "Hand-held" (I presume) implies that there's other (OS) software that is not HH i.e. that is for a non hand-held device i.e. a BlackPad would have a separate OS.

I'll just wait and see. And i WISH MODERATORS would do something about this stupid reply about www.shoes2.us crap or any advertising like the post above

I already see African American lawsuits against RIM for naming this device the Blackpad and offending them. Why not call it the RimPad or the BerryPad. Someone needs to get fired here!

I already see African American lawsuits against RIM for naming this device the Blackpad and offending them. Why not call it the RimPad or the BerryPad. Someone needs to get fired here!

Someone pls DDoS those websites

If anyone expects this to be anything that will compete with any other tablet, you are sadly mistaken. RIM has not yet decided to address the consumer base in which it has and therefore is out of touch with what consumers want. I do not expect it to sell, at least not in the US. RIM join the rest of the world by uping processor speed, using better screens, please we really need you to step it up!

I can see now this won't be something I purchase but that doesn't mean others won't eat this up like hot cakes. Businesses are all about taking risks and I have to take my hat off to RIM for trying new things...

...not yet another mobile OS - likely incompatible with everything else out there...

No point in BlackPad unless a) we're not re-designing the wheel and all the accompanying software and available product out there, and b) the device actually has features that...ahem... *current popular* pads do not - such as SD / microSD support, USB support, the ability to connect to peripherals, etc - to essentially be a standalone and not a companion device. Otherwise, it the Palm Folio (or worse) all over again.