BlackBerry PlayBook battery issues could delay launch, says analyst

By on Dec 28, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Tablets December 28, 2010

According to Kaufman Brothers analyst Shaw Wu, RIM may be forced to delay the release of its first tablet computer, the BlackBerry PlayBook. Wu claims he is hearing that the PlayBook “needs to improve its relatively poor battery life of a few hours compared to 6 hours for the Samsung Galaxy Tab and 10 hours for [Apple's] iPad.” As a result, Wu writes, the launch of the BlackBerry PlayBook may be delayed until May, 2011. Wu notes that the cause of the battery issues may stem from the fact that QNX, the PlayBook’s operating system, was designed for use in scenarios where battery life is not an issue — such as in automobiles. RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie stated last month that the PlayBook would launch in the first quarter of 2011, with a price tag under $500.

We ran an exhaustive video preview of the BlackBerry PlayBook earlier this month, and called the PlayBook experience as it stands now “fluid, quick, and downright impressive.” With Apple’s iPad 2 and several Android tablets set to launch over the course of the first quarter, however, sales of the BlackBerry PlayBook could be negatively impacted should RIM be forced to delay the tablet’s launch until the second quarter.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
62 Comments

Related Articles

  • whatcanyoudo

    good for them,they are imitating webOS anyway,karma is b***h

  • Bobdonhim

    All this doom and gloom about BB, BGR where is the article about iPad and iPhone users suing Apple over security concerns? BGR is such an Apple fanboy!

  • Len

    I heard the Playbook is going to have amazing battery life. RIM supports will now believe me, RIM haters will believe Mr. or Mrs. Shaw Wu.

    This is all so fickle. Tech news should be based on something a bit more reliable than a simple rumour from an analyst. These same analysts that have been bearish about RIMM stock for the past few quarters even though RIM continually exceeds expectations. They are simply manipulating the market. Same goes for rumours like this. Simply manipulating the markets to their own benefit.

  • Test

    Qnx has nothing to do with the battery life its used in a ass ton of portable electronics.

  • http://bit.ly/samirsshah समीर शाह

    To RIM: Stick with QNX, modify it for mobile/tablet purpose. It is your only chance.

  • Cayenne

    Have you people ever heard of credible journalism? You are all commenting on a comment made by “someone” having heard that the playbook battery isn t optimal. As usual AMERICAN analysts are talking down RIM! HAVE you heard that RIM just outsold APPLE in the last quarter? THE WORLD IS IN LOVE WITH BLACKBERRY! AS for corporations it will save them huge money, as they don t need a new data plan to use the PLaybook. IT pairs up with a blackberry. DO YOU THINK corporations want inferior security devices which add cost to the bottom line? Have a look at corporates sales of the Ipad, and that also includes consumers who don t want and inferior product, who actually appreciate being able to have a FULL web experience without having to put up with Steve jobs closed app centric platform.

  • iMiiTH

    If there is any mobile device company that knows battery life it’s RIM, albiet they’re using 624mhz processors on their phones, but they still beat the original iphone even when on 3G.

  • John

    Kaufman Brothers analyst Shaw Wu hates RIM and never EVER has anything positive to say about the company. I truly believe he is a short seller of RIM or he must have clients who are short RIM. Do a background check on anything this analyst has ever said. He is full of $hit!
    Besides, why compare the PlayBook to the iPad? The iPad can’t do squat compared to the PlayBook. You want multi-tasking, high def screen, FLASH, yada, yada, yada then you’re going to sacrifice battery life. I am fine with sacrificing battery life and having 4 hours of amazing usage instead of a locked down useless iPad.

  • Susan

    I’ll be getting a Playbook myself when they come out. Everything about QNX and of course being BlackBerry has won me over. And battery life may be a small part of my decision, and besides…are the Droids (no 1 seller in the US market according to a few of the studies) any better with battery life? Maybe with an extended battery and a charger nearby, but it hasn’t detered sales any less with poor battery life for the sake of apps and pooling of data. So really, why would anyone fret about battery life on the Playbook when it’s going to be a reliable product?

  • vas

    Can t apple even get an alarm clock right? Once again it shows its inferior fischer price toy Os. I even thought it maybe an evil plot to get free advertising , It shouldn t have to take three days do fix such an issue. Once again the sheep will all keep quiet about this.

1 2
blog comments powered by Disqus