http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/09/29/rim-needs-this-playbook.aspxGabriel Perna, IBTimes.comSeptember 29, 2010 Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) did the right thing by adding a tablet computer to its lineup of products aimed at the enterprise market, say analysts. The Mississauga, Ont.-based company officially introduced the PlayBook, a tablet computer, at its Developer's Conference this week. The device has a seven-inch screen, will use a tablet version of the Blackberry operating system and will be aimed at the enterprise segment. "I think it was the right move," Mark McKechnie, analyst at Gleacher and Company, said. "It's marketing 101, protect your capital. For RIM, that is enterprise, secure email and secure corporate management." RIM says the device, which runs on a 1 GHz dual-core processor, supports true symmetric multiprocessing. Recently acquired QNX has been called into duty to provide the operating system architecture. It also supports video conferencing capabilities. The first generation of the device runs on Wi-Fi internet and does not have cellular connectivity. However, analysts say this is not a downside as it just indicates that RIM is in fact aiming at the enterprise customer base. "It saves consumers from another data subscription cost with the carrier," Matt Thornton, analyst at Aviation Securities, said. "It also lowers the cost of materials. And for the enterprise segment, it makes it a much cheaper, worthwhile device. It's clear they are going towards the enterprise." The device is also enterprise-ready because it's compatible with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. By using a Bluetooth, users can connect content from their BlackBerry smartphone to the PlayBook tablet. This capability allows IT managers to deploy the BlackBerry PlayBook to non-present employees without worrying about all the security and manageability issues. The PlayBook's size and weight, which is less than the iPad, also impressed analysts. RIM says it weighs less than a pound at 0.9 lbs, and it has less than half of an inch of thickness. While analysts liked the move and the device, they cautioned that the enterprise market for tablets may not be that big. Since tablets are still in the early stages of development, it is unclear whether or not people will actually buy them for business purposes. Yet despite these concerns, most believe this was the right move for RIM in the long run. "This is a step in the right direction," McKechnie said. "They needed to hit this tablet space. I've said it before, real men have tablets. It was important that RIM fight back in this space." | ||||||||||||||||||||
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RIM’s PlayBook: Analysts React
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Stifel Nicolaus: Generally we were pleasantly surprised by the PlayBook specs. At a time when RIM has been widely criticized for falling behind on the innovation curve relative to its smartphone peers, the new tablet appears to put RIM back on the leading edge of technology.
Cowen and Company: Pricing was not disclosed, but we believe the lack of mobile voice/data support will limit operator interest in (and subsidy dollars for) the initial PlayBook, perhaps stunting early developer support and end-user adoption.
Morgan Stanley: We believe the PlayBook is well suited for enterprise, but could be far less successful with consumers. Between the crowded tablet market, the potential for a major OS overhaul across the entire platform with all the risks that entails, and the continued share loss in North America in both device shipments and subscribers, we remain Underweight.
Goldman Sachs: RIM’s PlayBook tablet surprised us by being positioned for the enterprise, rather than the consumer, and by having a robust set of specs including a dual-core 1GHz processor and 2 HD cameras. This could allow RIM to offer a differentiated product rather than a “me too” to the iPad. The PlayBook offers a unique use case by tethering to the BlackBerry over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth as a secure extension to the BlackBerry in the enterprise that can serve as a display or a projector. While the Wi-Fi tethering eliminates the expense of a separate data plan, it also reduces the incentive for carrier subsidies. In addition, the Q1 launch is a qtr behind expectations.
Deutsche Bank: At the start of their developer conference, RIM announced a new device called the PlayBook, their take on the tablet. The device is set to ship in [first quarter of 2011], missing the Holiday Shopping Season. Our first impression is the device is comparable to all the other tablets coming on the market, but runs a new proprietary RIM OS.
Quickly type emails, edit spreadsheets and surf the web on your Blackberry with this full-featured folding keyboard. (Mobile device not included.)
Erica Ogg is a CNET News reporter who covers Apple, HP, Dell, and other PC makers, as well as the consumer electronics industry. She's also one of the hosts of CNET News' Daily Podcast. In her non-work life, she's a history geek, a loyal Dodgers fan, and a mac-and-cheese connoisseur.