Research In Motion readies a new OS and tablet

Research In Motion Ltd. might finally unveil its first tablet next week.
After scrapping original plans for a tablet launch back in May, the BlackBerry maker is ready to introduce its response to Apple Inc.’s iPad, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Despite being written off by practically everyone, RIM had an astounding second quarter (its most recent) and it doesn’t look like it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon, even as it faces mounting pressure from Apple and Google Inc.
After having second thoughts about its initial tablet design and implementation, we asked if the typically slow company could successfully launch its Torch device and tablet in four months. If this latest report is true, a RIM tablet would in all likelihood be ready in time for the omnipresent holiday shopping season.
Even more notable, however, is RIM’s reported plans to introduce an entirely new operating system that will power the seven-inch touch screen device. More importantly, and likely to the applause of most analysts and consumers, RIM is also planning to move its BlackBerry smart phones away from its recently launched BlackBerry 6 OS in favor of a new OS built by QNX Software Systems, which the company acquired less than six months ago.
The BlackPad, as some are calling it, is slated to hit store shelves in the fourth quarter. It’s expected to include one or two cameras and connectivity will be delivered via Wi-Fi or a BlackBerry smart phone. The tablet will not be sold with a cellular chipset, and as such it’s unclear if carriers will even sell the device, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Sources tell the paper that RIM’s tablet is being manufactured by Quanta Computer Inc. and chips are being provided by Marvell Technology Group Inc.