Generally, RIM has seen a quicker pickup of its most recent devices in the consumer, rather than business, sectors. That’s in large part because consumers simply purchase the product, while large companies must first subject it to security tests and budget scrutiny.
However a growing number of observers believe RIM’s future growth – and its continued position as the enterprise mobile leader – depends heavily on a tablet-like product, especially if the company is to continue giving investors the financial results they came to expect during RIM’s first decade of existence.
“They gave monster guidance [during their last quarterly earnings],” Mr. Gillis said. “How many tablets do they factor into that?”
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THE COMPETITORS
If Research In Motion joins a host of tech giants and unveils a tablet computer next week, the smart phone maker will enter a burgeoning market that was once believed to be primarily focused on consumers. Increasingly, however, analysts and observers are discovering that the tablet might just be the next must-have business tool.
Research In Motion
Device: The BlackPad
Released: RIM hasn’t said anything about the product’s release date or even confirmed its existence, even as rumours of the tablet spread.
Size: Believed to be seven inches.
Pros: The ability to closely sync the tablet with BlackBerrys will make it a much easier sell to RIM’s traditional strong suite: the enterprise market. Any RIM tablet will also likely include stronger security features than other mobile computers, making it more appealing to the corporate and government sectors.
Cons: A brand-new operating system might be a good thing in the long run, but if the BlackPad requires application developers to rewrite a lot of code, it may be a while before RIM’s tablet sports a good mix of killer apps.
Apple
Device: The iPad
Released: April
Size: 9.7 inches
Pros: As it did with the iPhone, Apple has taken the early lead in the consumer tablet market with the iPad. The device has been a hit with consumers, but a number of major firms are also testing or using it. Although most of the apps designed for the device are consumer-focused, a number of business-centric apps are on the way. Alongside the iPhone, Apple now has a two-pronged mobile solution to offer companies.
Cons: Apple’s range of new mobile products has always been associated far more closely with fun, rather than business. Its inability to support Flash video and its limited multitasking make the iPad a less-than-stellar tablet solution for many companies.
Device: Myriad products from Dell, Samsung and a host of other tech firms
Released: Several devices are already on the market, with at least a dozen more expected in the coming quarters
Size: Varies by model
Pros: Google’s open-source Android operating system gives companies an easy entryway into mobile devices because it saves them a lot of research and development money. In addition, Google tends to unveil their latest search innovations on Android-powered devices. The surge of Android tablets in the coming quarters should give enterprise customers a variety to choose from, and potentially greater customization options.
Cons: The rush of Android smart phones to the market has made it more difficult for individual companies to differentiate their products from the rest of the pack. The same risk exists in the tablet market. Unlike in the cases of RIM and Apple, there is still no clear defining tablet product running on Android.
Omar El Akkad
