RIM's 9.7-inch Blackpad rumored for November launch -- yes, Blackpad

We were secretly hoping that RIM's acquisition of the blackpad.com domain name was nothing more than a joke (or a preventative measure, at worse), but it sure sounds as if that'll be the name the folks in Waterloo go with come this winter. According to unnamed sources who have unloaded new information to Bloomberg, RIM's first tablet will actually be "introduced in November," though there's no clear indication as to when it'll ship. Said sources have also stated that the device will sport a 9.7-inch display, inbuilt WiFi and Bluetooth, and a downright comical Blackpad label. We get the BlackBerry link and all, but really? Here's hoping for a last minute change of heart.

[Thanks, Simon]

[Gillz123 Posted Jul 30th 2010 4:54PM]

@Gillz123
Double post (typed from iPhone) fail

[kool1 Posted Jul 30th 2010 4:57PM]

I actually think BlackPad is ok.. I think the engaget writers just feel the need to crap on everything RIM does these days.

[Regulus Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:03PM]

In the spirit of Batman, why not just call it "The Blackmobile"?

[Ed T Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:04PM]

Where are the Wayan brothers when we need them?

[slimskinny Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:06PM]

Did Mr WILL.I.AM have anything to do with the namiong of this product??

Should be called the Black Eyed Pad ;-)

[lp894 Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:12PM]

and your telling me NOBODY considered the name BlackBook?

[sviola Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:27PM]

@lp894

Isn't that the bible?

[That guy 2 Posted Jul 30th 2010 6:38PM]

@lp894 That refers to netbook or laptop, ignorant engadget idiot

[Auouywonz Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:21PM]

I would have gone with PadBerry.

[slimskinny Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:23PM]

How about the : Blackberry Juice ?

[AER0 Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:44PM]

I don't think the name is that big of a deal. I remember when the iPad was still being rumored as the iSlate, etc. Sure "iPad" is a silly name, but no one really cares now that it's actually out. I think the same thing will happen with BB's Blackpad.

[CRX Posted Jul 30th 2010 7:59PM]

RIM naming their touch screen tablet a Blackpad is as original as Apple naming theirs the iPad a few months back. What a let down it was to hear that Apple named it the iPad. Blackpad is starting to sound better with time, but RIM could have been a whole lot more original. This thing better have a decent processor with hardware accelerated 3D graphics otherwise it's going to have a tough time in the tablet space.

[Justin Goldbegr Posted Jul 31st 2010 3:43AM]

@CRX I don't think so. I think it's going to be a hit among diehard blackberry users.

It's probably going to support tethering to blackberry's usb & bluetooth dialup networking profile, which means they'll use lots of cellular plan data, which means big evil phone companies will love them, which means they'll sell them, which means corporations and people will buy them.

[yyandrew Posted Jul 30th 2010 9:17PM]

It's hilarious that you guys have no trouble making fun of many products' names but don't poke even the teeniest bit of fun at any of Apple's products. iPad?

Though blackpad is definitely a horrible a name

[acniehaus03 Posted Jul 30th 2010 10:57PM]

So how is the name blackpad any worse or more ridiculous than iPad again?

[gigarath Posted Jul 31st 2010 1:39AM]

If it's anywhere near as good as this post makes it sound, I will be getting. I wanted to get the 9300, but if this official I will be forgoing the new Curve, and be getting this instead.

[Punk Posted Jul 31st 2010 3:01AM]

I think Rim could be onto something here esp since communications is their thing. Here's hoping their webkit browser will be up to scratch otherwise if this does come to fruition i would love to install a third party browser onto this thing.

hopefully it comes with some external ports and a front facing camera then it'll actually be a lot more useful than some other fruity pad.

[Thotruck Posted Jul 31st 2010 4:44AM]

Whats bigger than berries? Oranges, mellons, bananas. BlackBanana - yes thats a good name ;)
Will it be equiped with a screen that goes "click" when you touch it?

[iamajim Posted Jul 31st 2010 1:09PM]

great stuff lol; personally my favorite so far is the DingleBerry. perhaps we could really go for the gold and call it the iDingleBerry eh?

[dillion3384 Posted Jul 31st 2010 2:02PM]

I like the name.

[SoCoolCurt Posted Jul 31st 2010 11:24PM]

come on RIM, you're better than that.

[ari212 Posted Aug 1st 2010 9:50PM]

RIM's core market is Enterprise and there's a lot of IT departments that already support BB products. If RIM can release a tablet that ties in nicely with that system, and offers companies some decent enterpise software, they could own the enterpise tablet market.

---------------------------------------------
http://www.blackpadforums.net