Blackberry has announced its answer to Apple's iPad with a device called the Playbook.

黑莓发布一款平板电脑Playbook作为对苹果iPad的回应。

The Playbook will have Bluetooth and WiFi.

The company unveiled its tablet computer to much anticipation¹（希望，预感） at its developer conference, DEVCON, in San Francisco.

This is the first business-centric device in the tablet market.

It is seen as a clever move by Blackberry maker² Research In Motion whose smartphone is seen as the phone of choice among this sector³.

'Cutting edge'

"This is one of the most exciting times in our history," said Mike Lazaridis, RIM⁴ chief executive officer.

"RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world's most robust⁵ and flexible operating systems," added Mr Lazaridis.

Analysts⁶ have said the Playbook will give RIM an opportunity to dominate in a market it is familiar with and where it enjoys a solid reputation（名声，名誉） .

"RIM's Blackberry Playbook tablet looks to be a real challenger to Apple's iPad, playing on its business credentials⁷（证书，文凭） , rather than being just another joy machine'," Stuart Miles, editor of mobile technology website Pocket-Lint told BBC News.

"Whether RIM can deliver what it promises in the business environment with a selection of new apps on yet another operating system will be the real test though. Either way, it's clear that the battle of the tablets is now full steam ahead（全速前进） ."

QNX software

In the smartphone arena⁸, RIM maintains a comfortable lead with a 39.3% share according to research firm ComScore.

The iPhone's share of the US market was 23.8% and Google's Android was 17% for the quarter ending in July.

The Playbook will have a 7-inch screen with front and rear facing cameras to enable video conferencing, an important feature that will appeal to the business market.

The operating system will not use the new Blackberry OS 6 but has instead opted⁹ for QNX（嵌入式实时操作系统） software, which was recently acquired by RIM and has extensive expertise¹⁰ in embedded¹¹ systems for the car.

The new OS is designed specifically for the tablet size computer and will avoid the difficulties that come from adjusting a smartphone OS to the tablet platform.

The Playbook will have Bluetooth and WiFi. It will have no 3G capabilities¹² but will enable 3G data connecting by tethering（练栓，拘束） to a Blackberry smartphone.