With Apple’s successful launch of iPad, the tablet devices has created a significant embracement and adoption in technology world. A lot of firms started to develop their own tablets in a very short time in order to jump into this bright new technology train. Among them was RIM, who is best known as the developer of popular BlackBerry smartphones. During their Developers Day event, RIM announced in September that they will be launching BlackBerry Playbook, their tablet device, in the first quarter of 2011.
As the leading IT and telecoms news portal of Turkey, turk-internet.com is continuing to follow the latest improvements in smartphone and tablet segments. Within this context, we interviewed with Jamie K. Moran, RIM EMEA Channel Marketing Director, and asked him both about the BlackBerry Playbook and latest news from RIM. You can read our interview below.
Turk-internet.com: Can you provide a timetable for BlackBerry Playbook launch? I mean when will we see the product on sale and in which countries (to be more specific, when will we see it in Turkey)? Will it be offered via carriers first?
Jamie K. Moran: The BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to be available in retail outlets and other channels in the United States in the first calendar quarter of 2011, with rollouts in other international markets beginning in Q2. Furthermore, a brand new announcement was made during Mobile World Congress mentioning that the BlackBerry PlayBook will have variants supporting LTE and HSPA and that these variants will be available during the second half of 2011.
Turk-internet.com: I recently tested a BlackBerry Torch 9800 and for me it’s pretty obvious that RIM is slightly changing its focus from corporate customers (I mean the business man) to the young population. Touch-screen capabilities and social network integration were pretty strong in Torch 9800. What is your focus target with Playbook and do you share the view that RIM is leaning towards young people?
Jamie K. Moran: Mobile technology innovation is in a growth trend and RIM believes this growth will continue over the coming years. The more personalized technology becomes, the more it can meet the needs and wants of people. With BlackBerry smartphones, including the BlackBerry Torch which was positively received in the Turkish market, Turkish youth have multiple ways to call, email, message, share photos, take videos or send a status update on their favourite social network right in their hands. To this end, RIM is continuing to evolve its devices, enabling customers to use them to carry out a wide range of day-to-day activities.
With regards to BlackBerry PlayBook. it is perfect for either large organizations or an individual, the BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to give users what they want, including uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and high performance multimedia, while also providing advanced security features, out-of-the-box enterprise support and a breakthrough development platform for IT departments and developers.
Turk-internet.com: BlackBerry Playbook has been described as the strongest tablet release, but it has been more than 3 months since it was announced and we still don’t see it out. What is the reason behind this delayed launch? Some people are arguing that since your competitors are also planning new launches, RIM is missing a big opportunity as the time goes on. What do you think about that?
Jamie K. Moran: The new BlackBerry PlayBook is a professional-grade tablet that delivers cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world’s most robust and flexible operating systems. The BlackBerry PlayBook solidly hits the mark with industry leading power, true multitasking, uncompromised web browsing and high performance multimedia. RIM is working hard to offer its users the highest performance and as announced during the initial launch of the device, BlackBerry PlayBook will be available in retail outlets and other channels in the United States in the first calendar quarter of 2011 and with rollouts in other international markets beginning in 2nd quarter as previously communicated..
Turk-internet.com: We heard that there has been a recent change in your marketing strategy and BlackBerry is making strong deals with both carriers and technology markets especially in Europe. What can you tell me about BlackBerry’s marketing channel?
Jamie K. Moran: RIM is glad to work with over 580 carriers and distribution partners offering BlackBerry products and services in over 175 countries around the world. The high number of distribution partners reflects the importance RIM gives to its marketing channels all around the world.
See for the next chapter at Jamie K.Moran : BlackBerry 4G PlayBook will also support Wi-Fi + WiMax – 2
See for the Turkish translation at Jamie K.Moran : Blackberry Playbook 2011 lk eyrek’te Pazara Sunulacak – 1