RIM cancels the 16GB PlayBook

by Volker Weber

RIM PR:

RIM will no longer be making the 16 GB model of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. The 16 GB PlayBook will continue to be available for distributors and retailers while quantities last. We continue to remain committed to the tablet space and the 32 GB and 64 GB models of the BlackBerry PlayBook continue to be available from our distributors and retailers around the world.

There is more value for our customers in the higher capacity models (32 GB, 64 GB), and as such we have decided to focus our efforts here.

Let me translate:

We are still sitting on a stockpile of 32 GB and 64 GB PlayBooks and will continue to sell those at rock bottom prices. The 16 GB are thankfully almost gone.

RIM isn't walking away from the PlayBook since it's a stepping stone to BlackBerry 10. Now that RIM has made a batch of BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha devices, it's becoming less important, but still. I have only ever seen 16 GB PlayBooks that RIM gave away at developer conferences. I know one person who bought a 32 MB device.

I don't really expect RIM to make any PlayBook moves until they ship the first BlackBerry 10 devices later this year. Many expect a 3G/4G PlayBook soon, but I would not want to risk another failure right now and just hold out until the BlackBerry 10 is ready. RIM can still ship a new tablet then.

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