Tablet Bucks

Despite being little more than a rumor, scouring the Internet for news on RIM’s Blackbery tablet will find oneself reading mixed opinions on the device. Many journalists seem to have taken a pessimistic view of it, some even comparing the idea of a companion device to the Palm Folio and suggest that the Blackberry tablet will find the same fate (in other words, will never be released due to high potential of being an utter disaster). I have quite a difference of opinion though.

There is no doubt in my mind that tablet devices will become a giant market segment and have a potentially lengthy life-span. The fact that iPads are beginning to outsell Apple computers makes this point hard to argue. So RIM taking a step into the tablet market isn’t unfounded. Arguments that RIM doesn’t belong in this market aggravates me. Sure they don’t already have any market penetration yet. But did Apple have any before the iPad? Did RIM have any smartphone market penetration before the Blackberry? The fact that a company does well in one segment shouldn’t preclude them from expanding into another. Especially when the segments compliment each other so well.

Cellular network technology is continuing to mature, get faster and cheaper. A companion device from RIM, who has established itself as a pioneer in the cellular industry, would therefore have the benefit of being able to scale up to the latest and greatest network technology if able to tether to a Blackberry. Consumers would indirectly have their tablet running on the latest and greatest network whenever they upgrade their mobile device. The lack of cellular functionality (besides wifi) in the tablet device would also bring down the cost substantially and allow RIM to escape having to support both CDMA and GSM networks in the tablet chipset. Add to that the fact that Blackberries continue to top the smartphone charts means that RIM already has a foot in the door with many potential customers.

Blackberry owners should ask themselves, “why would I buy a non Blackberry tablet when I can possibly get this companion device for less cost, that will integrate with my Blackberry, probably use my contact list and media and my data plan that is compressed and far cheaper than non-Blackberry data plans?” While 3G iPad users will be getting pounded by bandwidth charges, Blackberry tablet users will be able to enjoy some power usage with their ultra cheap and conservative data plans due to RIM’s constant pursuit of providing the complete experience from data bandwidth and cellular technology to user interface and interactivity.

No, I don’t believe that RIM’s Blackberry companion tablet will face the same fate as the Palm Folio. In fact, I have a hunch that it will be a marvelous success. In fact, I think that Blackberry companion devices are a new market that RIM should tap into even more. Heck, I’d like a watch that could run apps and tether to my Blackberry. Could potentially also monitor my vitals and email my parents should anything happen.

I can see it now – “Jamie’s pulse has dropped to 0. Sent from my Blackberry companion watch”.