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Expensive Launch: New Blackberry Playbook To Retail At $500

Blackberry manufacturer, Research In Motion, unveils the highly anticipated Blackberry Playbook Tablet, priced at $500, in the initial quarter of 2011. This unveiling took place in Seoul, South Korea, with RIM CEO Jim Balsillie confirming the price and announcing global shipping by the second...

Cost of the Blackberry Playbook set at $500
Cost of the Blackberry Playbook set at $500

Expensive Launch: New Blackberry Playbook To Retail At $500

In early 2011, the tablet landscape was dominated by three key players: the BlackBerry PlayBook, the Apple iPad, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Each device boasted unique features and catered to different market segments.

Features Comparison

The BlackBerry PlayBook, launched in April 2011, featured a 7-inch touchscreen and ran on BlackBerry Tablet OS. Its robust multitasking capabilities were a standout feature, thanks to its QNX-based operating system. However, it was more of a business-focused device, with strong security features but limited app availability.

On the other hand, the Apple iPad (first generation), released in April 2010, ran iOS and had a 9.7-inch screen. It was praised for its user-friendly interface and wide app selection, making it a popular choice for media consumption and casual use.

The original Samsung Galaxy Tab, released in October 2010, had a 7-inch screen and ran Android 2.2. While it was praised for its portability, it was criticized for its operating system, which was not optimized for tablets at the time.

Pricing Comparison

The BlackBerry PlayBook launched with prices starting at $499 for the 16GB model, making it competitive with the iPad but more expensive than smaller Android tablets like the Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab. The first-generation iPad started at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, positioning it as a premium product. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, priced around $250 for the Wi-Fi version, was significantly cheaper, targeting budget-conscious consumers.

Market Positioning

The BlackBerry PlayBook was positioned as a business-friendly tablet, attempting to leverage BlackBerry's enterprise reputation. However, it faced challenges due to limited app availability and high price. The Apple iPad quickly gained popularity for its ease of use, app selection, and sleek design, becoming a leader in the tablet market. The Samsung Galaxy Tab offered a budget-friendly option for Android users, carving out a niche for smaller, more affordable tablets.

Michael Kozlowski, an expert on audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has been writing about these topics for 18 years, with his work primarily focusing on audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers. His article about the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet was published by Bloomberg Business Week, where he is a regular contributor.

The BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet, produced by Research in Motion (RIM), is set to be released in the 1st quarter of 2011 and is expected to globally ship by the second quarter of 2011. In an effort to differentiate itself from Apple, the BlackBerry PlayBook is compatible with Adobe Air, Adobe Flash, and other mainstay internet programming.

The tablet market is currently dominated by Apple and their iPad tablet. However, the Google Android operating system, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab as one of its champions, is a serious competitor.

[1] Source: TechCrunch

[2] Source: TechRadar

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