BlackBerry Tablet

Rumors of a BlackBerry tablet have been circling the Internet for a couple of weeks. Most prophets predict the bPad will be a companion device, connecting via Bluetooth to a BlackBerry smartphone and using it as a connectivity gateway.

This kind of reminds me the old faithful HP Jornada 560 PDA I used to pair over Bluetooth with an Ericsson T39 (one of the first Bluetooth/GPRS phones) to access the Internet. Those were the days! While a lot has changed since then, I still miss the concept of having just one mobile data contract and sharing the connection among many devices. It was Bluetooth then, and it is more WiFi now, with personal hotspots starting too pop up. New smartphones offer the mobile gateway option too - be it Windows Mobile 6.5 or Android. Only Apple does not allow tethering the iPad to the iPhone. But well, we have already learned Apple has it's own vision of the universe. In the meantime let's see what they are up to tomorrow at WWDC.

So coming back to the bPad. I would not be so fast to announce the failure of the concept. A tablet that is the size / weight of the Amazon Kindle would make a perfect mobile companion. And I guarantee it would sell to the existing BlackBerry users for $200 (if they can match this level, dubbed the "I-don't-have-to-as-my-wife's-permission"). We know a 6-inch touch tablet with WiFi and Bluetooth can easily meet this price point. What is important here, the current BlackBerry owners would not need to sign any additional contracts to use it away from homes/ offices.

Yes I know the Palm Foleo failed. But the concept of the companion device has legs in my opinion. Especially if it stays under 10 ounces, does require neither setup nor contract, and has other smart features (like reusing the charger). A Web/reader, or just a hassle - free, bigger screen for those airport lounges waiting minutes, when you are too lazy to take out the laptop, and you do not carry the iPad with you, due to the weight.