BlackBerry banks on Rugby World Cup; reveals NZ Playbook plans

UPDATE AUGUST 2: RIM has officially launched its 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in New Zealand today.

Three wi-fi-only models – with 16GB ($799), 32GB ($949) or 64GB ($1049) of memory – have been released through retailers Noel Leeming, JB Hi-Fi andHarvey Norman as well as Telecom New Zealand and Vodafone (although it has yet to materialise on either carriers' website).

Across the ditch, Vodafone Australia is offering the PlayBook bundled with a BlackBerry Torch (a BlackBerry Playbook needs to be paired with a BlackBerry handset for cellular mobile broadband; the BlackBerry Bridge feature sees the phone's email, calendar and other features mirrored on the tablet). 

However, a Vodafone NZ spokesman said there was no similar bundle in the works here.

RIM plans 3G and 4G/LTE models of the PlayBook later this year.

JULY 27: It’s been yet another horror week for RIM (Research In Motion).

The Canadian-based company’s BlackBerry said it will begin laying off 2000 staff, or 10.5% of its global workforce.

BlackBerry has been losing smartphone market share to Apple’s iPhone and Google Android-based handsets, with most surveys showing the former leader pushed into third place. RIM recently reported a disappointing quarterly result, sending its shares downward.

In New Zealand, BlackBerry has almost slipped off the marketing radar altogether as 2degrees shunning support for the smartphone altogether, Vodafone pushing iPhone and Android, and Telecom focusing strongly on smartphone’s running Google’s OS.

World Cup, PlayBook hopes
Yesterday, a rep for BlackBerry Australia New Zealand told NBR that RIM is looking to its Rugby World Cup sponsorship to lift its profile.

The company will also be pushing its PlayBook, a 7-inch tablet whose advantages over Apple’s iPad include its ability to display Flash; high definition video and true multi-tasking.

The PlayBook’s disadvantages include the fact that, beyond wi-fi, the tablet has to tether to a BlackBerry handset for 3G connectivity, and syncing with handset's email and calendar (3G and 4G models are on the way).

Android player in the works
The PlayBook – which runs on proprietary software – also has fewer apps. But a much-anticipated Android player should be added shortly, NBR was told yesterday, meaning a PlayBook could run any Android app.

Vodafone, Telecom, Harvey Norman
When NBR recently previewed the Playbook – and criticised the fact it hadn’t been released in New Zealand despite months on sale across the Tasman – Vodafone NZ said it had been on sale here for a fortnight.

Yesterday, RIM told NBR the Playbook was not available in New Zealand yet (and, indeed, it’s yet to appear on Vodafone NZ’s website. A Vodafone NZ rep told NBR that the carrier does have Playbooks in stock, and has been showing the device to customers).

Anyhow, the confusion should lift in a couple of weeks when the PlayBook is officially released.

The tablet will be available through Telecom as well as Vodafone, NBR was told.

With security a hot issue for tablets – ANZ board members were recently barred from using iPads – BlackBerry’s button-down, remotely-controlled security options will be a selling point in the corporate market.

But the Playbook will also be sold standalone through Harvey Norman stores. The tablet’s high definition video – which is a knockout – and ability to connect to a high def TV are seen as attractive to retail buyers.