BlackPad?

Speculations are that Reasearch In Motion (RIM) is getting to ready to release its own tablet PC, duly named the BlackPad. Reports are that the BlackPad is expected to become available in the fourth quarter. RIM has been on a losing streak in recent times, as its market share in the smartphone market continues to slip. But is this a good move for RIM? Entering a market that it has no experience in? Some analysts seem to think that a move into the tablet PC market for smartphone producers is a natural one. How will the BlackPad compete against the Ipad? This should be be interesting.

The battle for the smartphone market share

As a devout blackberry user I found this article in this past Saturday’s issue of USA Today quite interesting. Android gained market share over the period April to July 2010 while everyone else, meaning RIM, Apple, and Microsoft are lost market share. According to comScore, Android increased its market share by 5% while everyone else’s decreased: RIM by 1.8%, Apple by 1.3%, and Microsoft by 2.2% It’s interesting that Apple lost 1.3% market share even with the release of the Iphone4 in June, (even though a only a month’s worth of sales data would have been included in the study) which reportedly posted good sales numbers and is still doing well. Some seem to think that the reason Apple has been losing market is their lack of contracts with other service providers, in particular Verizon, one of the world’s largest service providers.  Next quarter’s results should be even more interesting since it will include more comprehensive iPhone4 sales data and the Blackberry Torch, which was released in August by RIM, sales data.