RIM BlackTab could be no-show at DevCon 2010?

By Chris Davies/Sept. 27, 2010 7:34 am EST

RIM's DevCon 2010 BlackBerry event kicks off today, and SlashGear will be bringing you all the news direct from the show. Expected to be announced is the upcoming tablet-centric build of the company's OS, but according to BGR's sources there won't be any specific hardware demonstrated or even unveiled.

That's apparently both because RIM want to keep DevCon more software focused, avoiding specific devices and any news on availability and pricing, but also – more worrying, perhaps – because the tablet OS is a long way from complete. No specific details but according to the insiders it's just one example of how RIM is struggling to get its software ready according to schedule.

For instance, the QNX-based platform that will apparently not only power the BlackTab but other RIM smartphones is "barely even started", since the company is yet to confirm that it is indeed headed to their phones. Meanwhile porting over RIM's email compression, battery optimization and BES integration – all essential elements to differentiate the platform from smartphone rivals – is taking longer than expected.