RIM relying on successful PlayBook launch after poor sales

Canadian firm, Research in Motion – or RIM – have reported yet another quarter of negative growth as their smartphone market share dips below a quarter.

Now commanding only 22% of the smartphone market, RIM are reliant on a successful launch for their PlayBook tablet to boost the company’s fortunes.

The device is scheduled for release in the US and Canada on April 19th, making the next three weeks a nervous time for CEO Jim Balsillie and his colleagues at RIM.

The PlayBook will be available in a 16GB, 32GB or 64GB version, priced at $499, $599 and $699 respectively. A 1GHz dual-core processor will power the 7-inch device and a WSVGA capacitive touch panel will grace the front of the tablet.

Video recording capabilities of 1080p HD footage actually place the PlayBook ahead of the iPad 2 in terms of imaging.

A successful launch of the PlayBook will be key, not only in determining the future of RIM as a tablet manufacturer, but the future of RIM full stop. Some industry analysts are describing BlackBerry as a broken brand, while PaidContent.org predicted a dramatic brand shift from RIM, should the PlayBook not provide the impetus required.

RIM’s executives and investors will be keeping everything crossed as we approach the launch date for PlayBook, a UK launch is expected to follow in June.

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