BlackBerry CEO: PlayBook Update Coming, Vague on Future Tablet Plans

BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins said Wednesday that the company is working on a software update that will bring the new BlackBerry 10 software to existing PlayBook tablets.

However, when it comes to future tablets, Heins said the company is trying to figure out a way to combine software and services, since selling tablet hardware alone is a tough way to make money at the moment.

“We are looking for specific value-added services on top of the tablet,” Heins said.

His comments came in a question-and-answer session following the announcement of the first two BlackBerry 10 phones in New York.

He also addressed a few other questions, including the expected April arrival of the second BlackBerry 10 phone, the physical-keyboard-packing Q10.

As for battery life, the Z10 should get users through the day, Heins said, adding that the battery is removable for power users who want to carry a second.

Asked how he would measure success, Heins said that the company had specific sales targets, but he didn’t share those. Instead, he handed it off to marketing chief Frank Boulben, who said the goal is for early users to be very happy, and that, beyond that, the company hopes to quickly become the No. 3 player in smartphones.