Online orders for BlackBerry PlayBook start Tuesday
Posted March 22, 2011 7:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The so-called key to Research in Motion’s future success doesn’t hit store shelves for nearly a month, but those hoping to be among the first to get their hands on the new tablet can place orders this week.
RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook officially goes on sale in Canada April 19. The Wi-Fi enabled device will be available in three models with 16 gigabytes, 32GB and 64GB of storage capacity.
The first-generation of the device — half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound — will rely on Wi-Fi short-range networks to connect to the Internet, initially without contracts with wireless carriers. RIM’s answer to the iPad is also Adobe Flash enabled and, like its competitor, has two cameras.
The cost of the new tablet will range between $499 and $699. Customers can place orders online starting Tuesday.
While RIM is expected to post strong quarterly results this week, its tablet is expected to be integral to the company’s future success.
Apple unveiled its iPad 2 earlier this month, which is a slimmer and more powerful version of the game-changing tablet. The gadget has two cameras for taking photos and video chatting and goes on sale in Canada March 25.
Motorola recently launched the Xoom, Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad is due out this summer and Samsung and Dell already have tablets on the market.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Rogers TabLife TO video: RIM’s David Neale on the New BlackBerry PlayBook and the Tablet Sector from Rogers Buzz on Vimeo.
