RIM looks to have the 16GB WiFi model of the PlayBook tablet in Office Depot stores in late April if a recent Office Depot leaked screen shot making the rounds is accurate. The timing seems to be in line with the BlackBerry World Conference, which will kick off in Orlando, Florida on May 3rd and run through May 5th.
The 16GB WiFi model of the PlayBook is apparently going to carry a $499 price tag at the office supply superstore. The $499 price tag is in line with other tablet offerings and does seem to make a lot sense to us, given what we have learned from RIM so far.
It remains to be seen if RIM can crack the tablet market with the PlayBook. Besides facing competition from Apple with its second generation iPad and a number of Android-powered tablets, RIM will be facing some serious noise from Motorola, who has a new device of its own (which was a darling of many in the media at CES).
Many cell phone carriers are expected to get the PlayBook, as well. We already know about Sprint getting a WiMax version, but the latest is that the PlayBook is also coming to Verizon. It is unknown which version Verizon will be selling, but an LTE version is rumored. AT&T is also expected to get a version of the PlayBook, but it is unknown which version they will carry. No dates yet on when the cell versions will start to arrive, but we expect RIM to give us a better idea of the release schedule at the BlackBerry World Conference in May.