0 Playbook cheaper than iPad : Really ?

Bloomberg has posted some more details from Research In Motion Ltd. about the upcoming Playbook we’re all excited about. First, it will sell in North America in the first quarter, and secondly, it will be sold for less than $500 as it goes to bat against the iPad.

Co-Chief Executive Officer Jim Balsillie has announced in an interview in Seoul that the Playbook will be competitively priced, though he declined to give more details. In the second quarter the Playbook will be sold globally. The iPad’s price begins at $499.

RIM isn’t the only company with devices to fill the void between smartphones and laptops besides Apple, as there are the Hewlett –  Packard Co, Samsung Electronics, and Motorola Inc are as well. In the first 80 days Apple sold 3 million iPads. However, the Playbook has the ability to handle Adobe Systems Inc’s Flash, something the iPad doesn’t. The iPad doesn’t run flash video nor does it run flash animation.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs had made the comment about the smaller pads being “DOA” or “Dead On Arrival” because they are too small to compete with iPad (in his opinion) and alluded to the idea that they wouldn’t be able to  have pricing that would effectively match their size. Balsillie responded that customers are getting tired of Apple’s controlling strategy. I love that there are other manufacturers out there that aren’t so proprietary with the apps or the files.

The Playbook has a 7-inch screen in comparison to the iPad’s 9.7-inch display. While the iPad does have the huge display, but its not the type of device you can slip in your purse and go.

Balsillie also said that RIM may sell the Playbook through Target Corp. And Best Buy in the U.S. As well as through carriers.

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