Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM) could release a 10-inch version of its PlayBook tablet by year’s end and OS7 could be delayed until late August according to the latest rumors.
BlackBerry World 2011 has been the source of many a headline this week, but as the event comes to a close, it’s the rumors rather than the press releases that are capturing people’s attention, with BGR reporting RIM plans to launch PlayBook 2 “around the holidays this year.”
If true, that means RIM will be launching its second version of the tablet less than a year after unveiling its first iteration, and before its much anticipated 4G versions emerge this summer (June, we’re told). This has prompted speculation that the newer tablets will have a form factor differentiator, much like Dell’s Streak, in order to cater to both ends of the tablet market. This would follow on from Samsung’s move to release both a 7” and 10” tablet, and may prompt true gadget fans to want both models.
Though initially lambasted by critics, the PlayBook is beginning to get some decent reviews and is said to be selling well, according to analysts.
On a slightly more pessimistic note, BGR also reports that RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry OS 7, available only on its upcoming Bold 9900/9930 models, won’t be launching until “mid-August at the earliest,” around a month and a half later than originally anticipated. The reasons for the delay are unknown.
