Crackberry has got the rumor mill in full spin today by saying that RIM could possibly be developing a BlackBerry tablet, and is already ordering 8.9-inch displays.
Says the report: “The source (of the rumors) is from a research firm that specializes in component supply chain information - and the company sent out a brief report this week touting “RIMM to Launch Own Tablet in Late 2010″ which got the industry insiders buzzing. Three sources have confirmed that RIM has placed an order with supplier Hon Hai for 8.9″ displays for use in a tablet.”
If true, the move would be a stark contrast from RIM’s old position on tablets. Just a few months ago CEO Mike Lazaridis said this about tablets: “I don’t see the benefits of a tablet over a notebook… A lot of technology falls in the middle.”
The report says the more likely use of the 8.9-inch displays will be for in-car touchscreen systems, especially given the company’s recent acquisition of QNX Software, the “leading provider of superior realtime operating system (RTOS) software, development tools, and services for embedded design.”
Result for: industry insiders
Samsung has said it will become the latest company to begin offering new extra-wide 16:9 aspect ratio LCDs for notebooks.
Currently the electronics giant produces 15.4-inch, 16:10 screens found in most notebooks but it will begin 15.6-inch screens that are usually known to be better for movie viewing and side-by-side documents.
According to reports from display industry insiders, the production will start in November with commercial notebook releases being seen in early 2009.
Other display makers such as AU Optronics and LG Display are also reportedly producing 17.3-inch LCDs at the same 16:9 ratio that is usually targeted at HD viewing.
