What they are doing is getting the product out there to drum up interest. It was an unfortunate launch and they have to make up some ground. For those looking for a business class device, RIM is still the place to go. After 10 years using RIM, I unfortunately got sucked into the Apple marketing engine and got an iPhone. I will gladly swap it for a RIM as soon as my contract permits. Fortunately I did not make that mistake with my tablet. I am happy to report that my PlayBook is rock solid and my wife is already trying to swap her iPad with me.
As for all the Apple fans out there: more power to ya! I ditched my Mac in the mid 90's and aside from a cost effective MP3 player, Apple holds no interest for me.
After Research in Motion’s annus horribilus, the new year has not brought much luck to the Canada-based company.
The company’s struggling PlayBook tablet, which had been used as a testing ground for the next-generation QNX-based operating system for its more popular BlackBerry smartphone range, is being flogged off at a vastly discounted rate.
As Research in Motion glides gently on the surface of the water, its feet are paddling like crazy to shift the stock. It is becoming increasingly clear that as the company bobs in the water, waving to onlookers, it is in fact drowning.
From now until February 4th, or whenever its inventory is wiped clean, all models of the BlackBerry PlayBook will cost a mere $299 in the United States.
While no change can be seen in the UK, many are knocking down the recommended retail price even further. Amazon UK has knocked off nearly £60 ($95) off the price of the 16GB model, but warns that stocks are close to running out.
The BlackBerry smartphone and tablet maker continues to battle with its unsold inventory woes. This time last month, Research in Motion said it would stick with the tablet market, as the company looked to book a charge for $485 million due to poor PlayBook sales.
Clearly the company is taking a tip from HP’s book, as the firesale of the then-doomed TouchPad tablet pushed its marketshare up to take the third place spot in last year’s third quarter results, at 5 percent of the market.
Research in Motion is far from calling this a firesale, with a spokesperson declining to comment. What is clear is that this year is already starting off on a rough start for the company, as the company loses out to other major mobile players.
Image source: Flickr.
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