PlayBook flies off shelf after RIM slashes prices by 50 per cent

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion's (RIM) tablet PC PlayBook has been flying off the shelf in India, after the company slashed prices by 50 per cent to improve sales, as it did in the North American markets. The improvement in sales has prompted the company to extend its festive offer by a week across its retail outlets in the country.

The company had sold more than 12,000 devices in just four days since the offer was announced on 28 December and both its distributors, Redington and Ingram, are waiting for replenishment of stocks.

"I believe that the 16 GB and 32 GB versions are completely sold out," RIM managing director India, Sunil Dutt, said.

The response has prompted the company to extend the offer, which ended on 31 December 2011, by a week, Dutt added. RIM, which introduced PlayBook in the Indian market in June, had slashed its price by more than half to Rs13,490 for the 16-GB version.

The 16-GB version was earlier priced at Rs27,990. The prices of 32 GB and 64 GB versions were also cut by nearly half to Rs15,990 and Rs24,490, respectively.

The PlayBook comes with a 1 GHz dual core processor, 1 GB RAM, a 7-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive touch screen display capable of multi-touch and gesture support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, dual cameras along with microHDMI and microUSB ports.

Earlier this month, RIM said it was booking a $360 million after-tax writedown on PlayBook inventories and expanding its promotional pricing offers on the PlayBook. RIM had announced, earlier, lat month that it was delaying the launch of its QNX-based smartphones to late 2012, adding to its woes, but necessary to incorporate more powerful and energy-efficient chipsets expected to arrive in mid-2012.