BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. is launching a tablet computer early next year called the PlayBook.
Features: Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM is betting that consumers will embrace a smaller, lighter tablet than Apple Inc.'s iPad. The PlayBook will have a 7-inch screen, making it half the size of the iPad, and weigh about 0.9 pounds to the iPad's 1.5 pounds. And unlike the iPad, it will have two cameras, front and back. Outside of Wi-Fi range, it will be able to pick up cellular service to access the Web by linking to a BlackBerry.
Competition: The iPad has prompted a wave of new tablets. Dell launched the Streak in August, Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Tab on Nov. 1 and Cisco Systems Inc. is going after business customers with a tablet called the Cius early next year.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
