BlackBerry PlayBook starts at $500 starting next year

Bloomberg Financial reported that RIM has said that its 7-inch tablet BlackBerry PlayBook will be available in the first quarter of 2011, starting at less than $500. In other words, the price of the entry-level version will be the same as or lower than the Apple iPad.

RIM CEO Jim Balsillie said in an interview in Seoul, South Korea: “The price of this product will be extremely competitive.” Although he declined to give more details, he said that the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet released in September this year will be held in the first quarter of next year. Listed in the United States, the second quarter to the global market.

It is reported that the initial PlayBook will be a pure WiFi model, there is no built-in 3G network capabilities, so its starting price of less than $ 500 will not include operator subsidies. However, the WiFi version of the PlayBook will be able to connect with the BlackBerry and use Blackberry's 3G data network for web browsing. However, 3G and even 4G versions of the PlayBook are already planned.

Jim Balsillie also said that RIM will adopt a similar strategy with Apple and promote the sale of PlayBook through cooperation with large-scale retail chain companies. The aircraft will be sold in chain stores including Target and Best Buy, and will also be sold through mobile operators that have a long-term relationship with RIM.