D: Dive into Mobile

D: Dive Into Mobile is an extension of the popular D: All Things Digital conference, founded by Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. The conference was held between 6th and 7th December and is focused on mobile devices, giving us a rare insight into the industry from the key players.

I've added what I consider to be the most interesting videos from Google, Microsoft, RIM and Palm. There are lots of great conversations and even some new gadgets shown off. The only downside is that you have to put up with Walt and Kara.

First up, Google's Andy Rubin talks about Android, Nexus and Google's future plans for mobile.

Joe Belfiore, one of Microsoft VPs and the main spokesperson for Windows Phone 7 talks about the company's smartphone effort, the legacy of Windows Mobile and Microsoft's vision of the future.

RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis talks about the future of smartphones, shows off the PlayBook (RIM's new tablet), and explains why he thinks the BlackBerry's can succeed against the iPhone and Android.

Finally, Jon Rubinstein talks about Palm's chances against Apple, Google, Microsoft and RIM.

For more information on D: Dive into Mobile head over to their highlights page.

PlayBook - The BlackBerry Tablet

Today at their annual developers conference, RIM officially announced the PlayBook, also known as the long rumored BlackBerry Tablet. The biggest surprise (other then the horrible name) is that the PlayBook does not utilise a RIM created operating system, instead they have customised and re-branded an operating system by QNX (who were recently acquired by RIM). The image below shows the familiar design of the PlayBook:

On paper the PlayBook has a lot of potential. It is the most powerful tablet we have seen yet (with a dual-core processor and 1GB memory) and the operating system (known as BlackBerry Tablet OS) fully supports OpenGL and POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface for Unix), as well as modern web standards such as HTML5. It also has wide audio and video support (1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV, MP3, AAC, WMA) with a microHDMI port for 1080p playback on an external display. The full specification can be seen below:

• BlackBerry Tablet OS (Created by QNX)
• 7-inch LCD, 1024 x 600, Capacitive Multi-Touch Screen
• 1GHz Cortex A9 Dual-Core Processor
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB / 32GB Storage
• Dual HD Cameras (3MP Front, 5MP Rear), supports VC and 1080p video recording
• Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• microHDMI, microUSB and Charging Ports
• Dimensions - 5.1 x 7.6 x 0.4 (inches)

RIM have said that this is the first tablet that is ready for the enterprise as it has the ability to sync and tether with modern BlackBerry mobiles. They were also keen to push the impressive hardware specification, stating that it will be an amazing gaming and media playback platform (which on paper looks like it might be true). The video below gives you the first feel of the PlayBook and the new BlackBerry Tablet OS:

This marks the next major tablet release in 2010. Finally, my prediction is starting to come true and with the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Dell Mini 5/7 and now RIM PlayBook, the market is starting to hot up. My prediction is that we will see the HP "PalmPad" next, running a customised version of Palm WebOS.

RIM have not currently released any pricing or a release date. In fact they have not even let anyone get hands on the device, I just hope when they do it proves to be a better experience then the recent BlackBerry Torch. While we wait for more information I suggest you head over to the RIM PlayBook website.