Research In Motion may debut a tablet computer next week at a conference for developers that tailor software for the Canadian firm's BlackBerry smartphones, according to the Wall Street Journal.

RIM responded to an AFP inquiry with a terse email stating that the company's "standard policy is to decline comment on rumors and speculation."

A tablet computer referred to unofficially as the "BlackPad" is due for release by RIM by the end of the year, prompting talk that it will be introduced at a Devcon 2010 gathering beginning in San Francisco on Monday.

The Journal cited unnamed insiders as saying BlackPad will have a seven-inch touch-screen, built-in cameras, and link wirelessly to cellular networks through BlackBerry smartphones.

BlackBerry smartphones have been under pressure from Apple iPhones and handsets running on Google-backed Android software.

Apple earlier this year unleashed a new titan into the mobile arena in the form of its hot-selling iPad tablet computers and firms have been racing to field competing devices.

earlier related report
Dell to roll out second tablet computer
San Francisco (AFP) Sept 22, 2010 - Dell chief executive Michael Dell on Wednesday said the firm will release a second tablet computer to compete in a hot market dominated by Apple's iPad.

Dell made the announcement during an on-stage presentation at Oracle's annual OpenWorld conference in San Francisco and gave no details about the gadget, its price or when it would hit the market.

The Texas-based company did not respond to an AFP request for more information.

Industry insiders believe the new tablet will have a seven-inch (17.8-centimeter) touchscreen and run on Android software backed by Internet giant Google.

Earlier this year, Dell launched an Android-based "Streak" tablet with a five-inch (12.5-centimeter) screen and a camera. The devices connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi or 3G cellular networks.

Streak was for sale at Dell's US website on Wednesday for 550 dollars, but the price dropped to 300 dollars if buyers opted for two-year service contracts with telecom carrier AT&T. Streak tablets are also sold in Britain.

Apple's iPad has a 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) color screen.

AT&T said Tuesday that more than half a million iPads have been connected to its network since the device from the California maker of the Macintosh computer, iPhone and iPod went on sale in April.

A new Dell tablet would join growing ranks of contenders in a tablet market ignited by the success of the iPad.