Research in Motion’s (TSE:RIM) Blackberry PlayBook is going to get some competition later this year from an unlikely source.
Panasonic Solutions Company, whose focus is on building rugged IT solutions for government and commercial enterprises, said it is building its Android-based Toughbook tablet to sell to enterprises in the fourth quarter of this year.
Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android-based tablets such as the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 are intended to facilitate consumer media consumption.
The Toughbook is targeting government personnel, mobile workforces and "security-conscious IT managers and bottom-line-focused CFOs," Panasonic said in a statement June 16.
Indeed, the Toughbook’s 10.1-inch display won’t feature a glossy front screen that beckons users to watch YouTube videos or play games. These screens tend to be hard to read outdoors in the bright sunlight.
The Toughbook’s XGA screen will boast high brightness, suitable for viewing in the daylight. This will allow corporate road warriors to use their tablets regardless of the lighting differentials in their travels.
The slate will also feature a stylus to facilitate signature capture similar to the way customers currently sign for FedEx or UPS packages. The idea is to appeal to sales, customer service and other fleets where sales transactions are the norm.
To read the original eWeek article, click here: Panasonic Toughbook Android Tablet Coming to Rival RIM PlayBook
