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BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. unveiled its first tablet computer and a new operating system that will power it, joining the race to catch up with Apple Inc.’s iPad. Investors don’t seem to be ebullient on RIM’s prospects, shares are down about 1% premarket. Here’s how some analysts see it.
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.
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