Thinking of getting yourself a BlackBerry PlayBook anytime soon? Um OK, well I'll tell you anyway. It seems the entry-level 16GB variant is being phased out, leaving just the 32GB and 64GB models in RIM's tablet lineup.
The company has confirmed that production of the entry-level model has ceased, and that once current stocks are sold out that'll be that.
It's safe to say the last couple of years haven't been easy for RIM, and you'd have to say the PlayBook will probably go down as the least successful new product in the company's history.
Troubled by bugs, a lack of developers support, missing features and an unclear message, the PlayBook was slated from day one, and has never really recovered.
“There is more value for our customers in the higher capacity models (32GB, 64GB),” a RIM statement revealed by way of explanation, “and as such we have decided to focus our efforts here.”
There may be value for the customer, but there continues to be little value in the tablet market for RIM itself: the 16GB version originally went on sale a year ago for £400, with the top-end 64GB model costing £560. These days, though, a brand new 64GB PlayBook will set you back just £239, while the 16GB comes in at just £169 – while stocks last.
