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This article was first published 13 years ago

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Last updated on: June 23, 2011 12:50 IST

Image: Bollywood actor Salman Khan during the launch of Blackberry PlayBook in Mumbai.
Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters.
After the success of BlackBerry phone, Research in Motion (RIM) has forayed into fast growing tablet PC market here with its 'PlayBook' to compete with the likes of Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab.

The Canadian firm has launched the PlayBook in India at Rs 27,990 (16 GB), Rs 32,990 (32GB) and Rs 37,990 (64 GB).

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: A conference attendee examines the BlackBerry PlayBook during its launch in Mumbai.
Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters.
Globally, PlayBook is available at $499, $599 and $699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, respectively.

The PlayBook is a seven-inch tablet that runs on a new operating system built by QNX Software Systems -- a RIM unit that makes software, which is used to run everything from cars to nuclear reactors.

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: Frenny Bawa, MD of Research In Motion (RIM) India and Salman Khan (R) unveil the PlayBook.
Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters.
On a PlayBook, users can go online only using a Wi-Fi network or by synchronising the device to their BlackBerry smartphones .

Apart from India, the PlayBook is scheduled to be launched in 15 countries, including the UK, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Australia and UAE over the next few weeks.

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: A customer holds a Research In Motion's PlayBook tablet computer in Fairfax, Virginia.
Photographs: Larry Downing/Reuters.
The competition for "tablets" is hotting up in India with handset maker queuing up launches of their smart devices. A tablet PC, though smaller sized, has PC-like functionalities.

Since the launch of Apple's iPad, the tablet market is witnessing huge competition, with new contenders launching their devices.

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: Dell Streak.
"There are a lot of tablets being launched in India. The market is still niche but is growing at a rapid pace. The launch of PlayBook should not impact the sales of other tabs but will help grow the ecosystem," Gartner Principal Research Analyst Vishal Tripathi said.

Apple's rival in the computing space, Dell had launched the 'Streak' last year in India, while homegrown telecom handset makers like Spice and Olive have also launched similar devices at much lower price points.

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: Apple iPad.
Other companies like HTC and Motorola also plan to introduce their tablet devices in the country soon.

The BlackBerry tablet has received a mixed response from the markets where it has been launched.

According to reports, while rival iPad sold like hot cakes on its launch, the PlayBook just sold 50,000 copies in the first week of its launch on April 19 in the US and Canada.

RIM launches PlayBook at Rs 27,990

Image: The PlayBook tablet is displayed at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Photographs: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters.
BlackBerry has over one million users in India and RIM would target them.

According to analysts, sales in the tablet PC segment in India are expected to touch one million units over the next 12 months.

With 3G (high-speed internet services) being rolled out aggressively, the opportunity has only expanded, they said.

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