Why Adobe Flash shouldn't get the blame for BlackBerry PlayBook delay

If you've kept a keen eye on the release of RIM's new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, you will have noticed that the device is currently due to launch one month later than was initially stated by the Canadian smartphone manufacturer.

As always, the rumour mill has whirred into action, suggesting numerous reasons for the delay – one being that touchscreen supply has reduced RIM's ability to fulfil initial orders for the device, partly attributing the blame to Apple which reportedly tied up 60% of the supply of the panels for other manufacturers.

The other reason that many blogs have been stirring up is Flash integration. Whilst RIM hasn't moved to confirm or deny any rumours, the willingness to attribute the blame to Adobe and its Flash software is unfounded and implies that outlets reporting the rumour aren't doing the research they should.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is powered by the QNX operating system, a platform RIM acquired in April 2010, and is expected to outfit all of its future tablet and smartphone devices, replacing the ailing and outdated BlackBerry OS. As a company, QNX Software Systems was best known for its work on powering systems in automotive, industrial, telecommunications, medical, defense, and aerospace industries, powering the dashboards of cars and even Army tanks.

Before it was acquired by RIM, QNX was suitably sporting Flash as far back as June 2009. Back then, Adobe and QNX Software Systems announced the availablity of QNX Car, an application platform that facilitated "the production of Flash-based, in-vehicle systems". This meant carmakers were able to deploy Flash-based interfaces in "head units, digital instrument clusters, rear-seat infotainment systems, and other in-car products".