RIM Unveils Answer to iPad

Research in Motion unveiled its new tablet today, making the Playbook the first official competitor to Apple's iPad. CEO Mike Lazaridis wasted no time in taking a jab at his rivals, noting that the Playbook was the first tablet to access the "full web"—meaning that it supports Adobe's Flash, which Apple devices do not, notes John Paczkowski at All Things Digital.

Lazaridis also promised that the Playbook will be "an amazing gaming platform"—a bit of a departure for the business-oriented RIM. While Lazaridis was very open about features, he gave less information on more mundane details, like pricing and battery life. The device is set to roll out in early 2011.
(More Research In Motion stories.)