Rather than focusing its efforts on its diminishing smartphone business, it seems RIM may be planning to launch a device that will rival the Apple TV, packed with PlayBook hardware.
According to a reliable source for BlackBerry fan site NFBB.com, RIM is working on a device nicknamed the BlackBerry Media Box, which is said to fuse the BlackBerry Presenter with a media hub similar to the Apple TV. It is said to be powered by mobile hardware — likely the processor and QNX-based OS featured in the BlackBerry PlayBook.
The source has made it clear, however, that unlike the Apple TV, the BlackBerry Media Box would likely be less consumer focused, although it is likely to offer some third-party media sources.
The device is expected to be ready for shipping as early as the end of this year and will be aimed at business users that may show presentations and videos on larger screens. Although an AirPlay-like streaming feature isn’t expected to accompany the device, Electronista suggests the device could utilise Wi-Fi file sharing, which is already supported in the BlackBerry OS.
NFBB.com does say that this rumor should be taken “with a grain of salt” as they gather more information, however, they also stress the reliability of their source, who has previously leaked both the BlackBerry PlayBook and the BlackBerry Presenter in advance of their official unveilings.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
10 responses to “RIM Working On An Apple TV Rival Packed With PlayBook Hardware”
So while their smartphone platform is burning, the Playbook has been a bust with software that’s not ready yet, RIM is going to sell an Apple TV competitor that is meant for businesses when businesses are moving towards consumer products?
Sounds like a hell of a plan.
Sounds like a leak from the project manager who knows it’s likely on the block given the open letter and likely change of CEO.
Yet another reliable rumor which makes little sense. Of course, RIM’s strategy over the past four years makes little sense, so, why not go after Apple TV?
HAHA.. Your response cracked me up.
Lets be honest. RIMM doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing. They want a device to do presentations for business or enterprise. This is stupid. The iPad w/ Airplay and Keynote do all this. Oh, don’t forget Youtube. HAHA..
Blackberry will eventually go the way of Motorola. In five years, nobody will remember that Canadian company. It’ll be a Trivial Pursuit question. What Canadian Telecommunications company was caught with their head in the sand in the early twentieth century and was obliterated by incompetent management, Google and Steve Jobs?
Why would RIM go after Apple TV? Very few people have an apple TV and the industry for one is very small. Unless they made a whole TV with the media box in it…