Thread: BlackBerry Playbook Now Rumored for Release in March 2011

After RIM released their 3rd Quarder earnings report, it was rumored that the highly anticipated BlackBerry Playbook wouldn't be released until March of 2011, a cry from recent suggestions that its actual release date would be sometime in Februrary 2011. One RIM executive was quoted as saying that customers "shouldn't expect to see RIM receiving income from the PlaybOok until after February."

Should RIM wait until March to release the Playbook, it would be in direct competition with Apple's iPad 2 which is set to release in April, just one month after the Playbook's now-anticpated release date. Although the BlackBerry Playbook is highly antipated and has already received accolades from both experts and tech-fans alike, this close release date could spell heavy competition from Apple.

What do you think: If RIM releases their Playbook in March instead of February, will it effect Playbook sales or will BlackBerry fans stay loyal to RIM?

I for one don't think its good because so many are slowly loosing faith in RIM. Prolonging the playbook is going to make matters worst (I think). First delay the playbook, next the Storm3. its like whatever!!

Originally Posted by awill300

I for one don't think its good because so many are slowly loosing faith in RIM. Prolonging the playbook is going to make matters worst (I think). First delay the playbook, next the Storm3. its like whatever!!

I'm hoping the Storm 3 will just be a surprise release before the new year. They have done it before.

Man now that would be great because I have been seriously considering jumping ship to the Droid

Originally Posted by awill300

Man now that would be great because I have been seriously considering jumping ship to the Droid

A lot of people are holding out with their upgrade plans for a Storm 3, but many will jump ship for Droid or iPhone if nothing new is out before the iPhone hits Verizon early next year.

Originally Posted by Joseph Jerde

A lot of people are holding out with their upgrade plans for a Storm 3, but many will jump ship for Droid or iPhone if nothing new is out before the iPhone hits Verizon early next year.

Agreed. I'm all for a surprise release though! I'd have to make the switch to Verizon for a S3 but I'm willing to do that... if it has a clicky screen.

Back to the topic, at this point I'd prefer a Playbook to an iPad - seems like there's more you can do with it.

Originally Posted by AvonleaCM

Agreed. I'm all for a surprise release though! I'd have to make the switch to Verizon for a S3 but I'm willing to do that... if it has a clicky screen.

Back to the topic, at this point I'd prefer a Playbook to an iPad - seems like there's more you can do with it.

I actually like the surepress screen for texting. It feels better than just touch screen.

It will be interesting to see how apps will be with the PlayBook as it has opened up to the developer world.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the PlayBook. I hope that they come out with one that has a card reader built in. That would make it the ideal tool for mobile sales and service.

BlackBerry will blow the competition out of the water when they bring out a phone with the same OS as that of the PlayBook.

Originally Posted by Jan van Vugt

BlackBerry will blow the competition out of the water when they bring out a phone with the same OS as that of the PlayBook.

I'd be in tech-geek Heaven!

I love the new icons that RIM went with on QNX. The icons now are just too plain looking.

next year will be crucial 4 rim in many ways!! My hopes is that they have the capacity to deal with andro and iOs but we'll see... Biggest mistake they're making at the moment(and all other companies also-nokia,google,htc....) is they're tryin to compete withe the applez, which is a lost game even without startin... + i think rim should concetrate on bringing that QnX on phones!! They're obviously building momentum 4 it with this prolonged release, but, like i sad, they're not apple and could end up biting their own tail...+its the last train for many... Hope some1 will pair the applez cause its gonna be a long decade ahead of us, consisting of different kind of apple.... + upgraded hardware on the phones is a must- they screwed the torch,the 9780 + all the others... 3years same processor, very progressive...

I think, by "delaying" it (or should I say moving the releasedate?) RIM is going to miss alot of potential customers.
By that time Apple is rumored to have the iPad 2 and I guess Micrisift and Droid will have some of theire own on the market.
Here (in Holland) Im seeing people getting this Samsung tablet alot because there are no alternatives if you dont want an iPad.
Besides the whole "Pad thingy" Droid is taking over as nr1 OS and RIM is bringing out phones wich really dont seem to be that different (rg 9700 / 9780) Im missing an eyecatcher, thats why I was hoping the Style would come to Europe, then you got a new OS (^) wich to me looks great but not that well as it was hyped to be.
Like Paspals said, 2011 will be a crucial year for RIM, they really need to give the phoneworld a real shocker / jawdropper becaus it's all pretty much the same up till now.

I agree with you guys for the most part... I've used BlackBerry as a corporate user and as dependable as it is and as much as I love BlackBerry, I was bored! With all the smartphones out that use both work and play, I like what you said Poita316... we'd like something jaw dropping!

- Avonlea