RIM said to be readying tablet launch

RIM could soon add a tablet to its offerings

Research In Motion (RIM) is developing a tablet device for launch in November, according to a report on Bloomberg News citing unnamed sources.

The 'BlackPad' will be priced at $499 (£315), the report said, and features a 9.7in touch screen with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The tablet will also connect to RIM's BlackBerry handsets and access wireless broadband through tethering.

If released in November, the device could see a holiday buying season showdown with Apple's iPad, adding to the current smartphone battle between the iPhone and BlackBerry platforms.

Apple released the latest version of the iPhone and its iOS earlier this summer, while RIM is planning a major update to the BlackBerry operating system later this year.