The Wall Street Journal says that Research In Motion (RIM) is likely to use next week’s BlackBerry Developer Conference to announce its anticipated BlackBerry tablet device, which may then reach the market before the end of 2010. Perhaps the most significant suggested development is that rather than using an evolution of the existing BlackBerry platform, the device will use technology from embedded software company QNX, which RIM acquired earlier this year. QNX’s technology is used for products including in-car entertainment systems, and has been praised for its robustness, but has not been widely used in mobile phones. It was suggested that RIM will also look to transition its future BlackBerry devices to a QNX-based operating system, although the company will need to be careful how this is managed so as not to disrupt the continuity that has made BlackBerry appealing to enterprise customers.

Surprisingly, it was also suggested that the device, referred to using the codename BlackPad, will not include an embedded mobile connection, with connectivity provided by a paired BlackBerry smartphone – the same model suggested for Palm’s failed Foleo mobile companion device. With integrated mobile connectivity a feature of all competing tablet products, it is unclear why RIM has opted not to include this feature. BlackPad is likely to have a 7 inch screen, smaller than the 10 inch screen of Apple’s iPad and the same size as Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. It would have “one or two” cameras, be manufactured by Quanta Computer, and use silicon supplied by Marvell Technology Group – which is already a supplier for other BlackBerry products. Separately, it was reported that RIM has registered the domain name BlackPad.com, although the company appears to be hedging its bets on the name front: it has trademarked the name SurfBook in certain markets, indicating a possible alternative moniker.