The pricing details of the upcoming dual-core tablet BlackBerry PlayBook, have just been revealed. Apparently, RIM hasn’t announced any pricing information yet. A few days back, WSJ has reported that PlayBook will start costing around $500.
According to sources, BB PlayBook will be having 3 versions(8GB, 16GB, 32GB) and comes with the following different price tags.
- 8GB : $399
- 16GB: $499
- 32GB: $599
We don’t have any information on 64GB model at present. But, no prior information announced that there was going to be a 8GB version. Anyhow, PlayBook has micro USB and HDMI, with Micro USB, we can add additional storage. RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.
These are the better pricing option for a tablet, which comes with Dual-Core 1GHz processor and will give tough competition to Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple’s iPad (which starts at $499 for 16GB).
The PlayBook will be capable of 1080p HD video, and comes equipped with an HDMI port as well as a microUSB jack, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1. BlackBerry Tablet OS which will offer full OpenGL and POSIX support alongside web standards such as HTML5. It sports 7 inch LCD capacitive touch display(1024 x 600 pixels), dual HD cameras 5 MP rear facing, 3 MP front facing with shooting capability of 1080p HD video.
Technical Specifications of BlackBerry PlayBook*
| Dimensions | |
| Size | (130 x 193 x 10)mm |
| Weight | 400 g |
| Display | |
| Type | LCD Capacitive touchscreen |
| Size | 7 inch |
| Colors & Resolution | (1024 x 600) Pixels WSVGA |
| Input/ User Interface | |
| Input | Multi Tasking Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate* Proximity Sensor for Auto turn-off* |
| System Properties | |
| Operating System | BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing (QNX technology) |
| CPU | Cortex A9 Dual-Core 1GHz Processor 1GB RAM |
| Storage Capacity | |
| Memory | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB |
| Browser & Messaging | WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 |
| Camera | |
| Main Camera | – 5 Megapixels HD camera -2560×1920 pixels |
| Secondary(Front side) | – 3 Megapixels HD camera |
| Video Recording Capability | 1080p HD recording capability |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth & USB | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR & v2.0 micro USB* |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Music & Video | |
| Music Format | MP3, AAC, WMA |
| Video Format | 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV |
| Other Features | HDMI video output Built-in support for HTML 5 Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader POSIX, OpenGL, Java 3G access via existing BlackBerry smartphone service plan |
| Color | Black* |
[*] Specifications are subject to change.
The BlackBerry PlayBook is a ‘True-Multitasking’ powerhouse and the new BB Tablet OS supports true symmetric multiprocessing to provide users with true multitasking and a highly-responsive and fluid touch screen experience for apps and other services. It also comes with native smartphone features like Messenger, Email and Push Technology.
Price & Availability
The BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to be available in retail outlets and other channels in the US in early 2011 and might be delayed till mid-February 2011, pricing $399, $499 & $599 for 8GB, 16GB & 32GB models respectively.