By Ray Williams
The specifics and the price structure of the PlayBook tablet have been released by RIM, and many of them beat the iPad 2, in theory at least.
The tablet will arrive at the US and Canadian stores on April, 19. The Wi-Fi enabled-PlayBook is available at the entry level 16GB model that costs $499, or in the more expensive 32GB or 64GB versions priced at $599 and $699, respectively. The prices quite match the comparable models of the iPad 2.
RIM said that the PlayBook will e shipped in the UK in the second quarter of the year, between April and June, however the pricing of the tablet in the UK is yet to be announced. The PlayBook has specifications quite similar to that of the iPad 2, which was rolled out in the US markets two weeks ago, and is set to go on sale internationally on Friday.
The tablet from RIM will include a 1GHz dual-core processor, 7" 1024x600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen, along with the Blackberry Tablet OS. However, its the constituent dual cameras capable of recording full 1080p footage that puts the PlayBook a little ahead of the iPad 2 in the imaging specs.
With 64GB of internal storage, the PlayBook will have ample space to store applications and media, whereas the 1GB of RAM will keep the multitasking at a fast pace. The PlayBook also has a string of sensors for mapping and gaming including the GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and a Digital Compass. The PlayBook has a smaller screen, which makes it lighter than the iPad 2, at 425g, as compared to the 601g for the iPad. The iPad, however is still thinner at 0.34 inches, as against the 0.4 inches thick PlayBook.
The Blackberry Tablet OS used in the PlayBook is an entirely new operating system designed especially for the tablet. The new OS will enable users to share information such as email, BBM and address book contacts wirelessly between a BlackBerry handheld and the PlayBook.
