The leading newspapers such as the The Times and the Wall Street Journal are forecasting that RIM's new BlackPad will be unveiled next week. However, this will only be to developers at its San Francisco developers' conference.

What a terrific name - BlackPad. It has such finesse ! The papers above are forecasting that the announcement next week on the 27th from the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in California will confirm the BlackPad as having :

7 inch touchscreen

One or two on-board cameras

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity but no direct 3G connectivity

A tailored platform from QNX Software ( owned by RIM )

If we can glean any more details we will post it here. Meanwhile, the full commercial launch is forecast to be before the end of 2010.