Blackberry working on iPad rival

Rumours are circulating that BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) is working on a tablet to rival Apple’s iPad.

Initial reports say that the tablet device will be called the ‘BlackPad’, and will measure in at around the same size as the iPad, costing from around $499.

According to WHOIS records, RIM has acquired the right to the www.blackpad.com internet domain last month, and reports from sources at BlackBerry suggest the device will be out in November of this year.

Rumours have suggested that the ‘BlackPad’ will offer WiFi and Bluetooth, and may include front and rear facing cameras.

Other companies are also lining up rival products to the iPad; Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy tablet before the end of August, and LG is planning to introduce a tablet under its Optimus brand by Christmas.

Despite growing competition from Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android platforms, RIM’s US smartphone market share tops 40&, and it has shipped more than 100 million BlackBerry devices.

Apple’s iPad managed to sell one million units within the first 28 days, and is now thought to be close to 3.27 million sales.