BlackBerry BlackPad Tablet for 2011?

The web is awash with rumours that Canadian BlackBerry manufacturer RIM has an iPad rival, dubbed the 'BlackPad', in the pipeline. The rumour seems to have been confirmed by the site BlackBerry Leaks, which claims to have word from a RIM insider that a touchscreen tablet is being developed for release in 2011.

The dizzying success of Apple's iPad has got other manufacturers green with envy as they too seek ways to cash in on the emerging tablet market, racing to develop touchscreen devices sleek enough to rival the iPad.

According to the first online leaks, the BlackPad is said to be slimmer than the iPad, and has an 8.9-inch screen. The OS won't necessarily be developed by BlackBerry, but the tablet will apparently be compatible with all BlackBerry OS functions and with RIM smartphones.

Sources also suggest that the BlackBerry slate is scheduled for release in 2011.

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