No release date?

**Momo13Drums** · 02-15-2011, 11:04 AM

Regardless of RIM's marketing strategy, I'm starting to think if they don't give a release date at MWC (terrible mistake, but hey, it's RIM so we should expect that)... then they might just do a "soft" launch.

Let the wifi-only Playbook hit the stores without announcing any "release date" or similar, and let the device build it's own following - and perhaps start marketing it a bit more when the 4g version starts rolling out.

It's a bit frustrating either way, and RIM's vagueness of it all seems to counter this idea a bit, but it's possible the main focus of the wifi-only version is enterprises and current blackberry users only; and they assume this market will be savvy enough to figure out what Playbook is and why we need one on our own. Not the best marketing strategy IMO as there are millions of blackberry users worldwide who don't even know what a playbook is. Most don't even know about different models of blackberries; they just think their curve IS a blackberry - you show them something different like a storm and they go "What's that?... it's a blackberry?! wow I didn't know blackberry made those!"

It's kind of sad how technologically undeveloped society is as a whole, when it's really so simple; but hey, that's why RIM's marketing strategy is working with their phones - target third world countries who don't know any better. I mean, 90% of Americans/Canadians/Europeans/etc don't, either.

Anyway, as much as I would like a release date, I'm starting to think what I said above might be RIM's plan of action. What do you guys' think? I hope they prove me wrong.

**kb5zht** · 02-15-2011, 11:24 AM

Either way, I am sure there is no release date coming during MWC. They would have done it by now. I feel that a "soft" launch as you called it is probably what we are looking at.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**_StephenBB81** · 02-15-2011, 11:33 AM

the cynics will say that there is no chance they will give us a release date because it isn't even close to being ready.

as for if they may give us a release date, there is still another day, but I really don't see them doing that at this event, it would be nice, But I think they would do it with an advertising push through TV, Print, and retailers closer to the time, 1 week away from release maybe 2 start pushing out advertising

**bighap** · 02-15-2011, 11:34 AM

Jim Balsillie speaks tomorrow. I expect newsworthy info then.

**WillieLee** · 02-15-2011, 11:42 AM

They aren't going to announce during MWC.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**whocaresit** · 02-15-2011, 11:43 AM

I'm putting my hopes on Ballsy. If he doesn't announce anything important like release date or price tomorrow, its all over for RIM.

**_StephenBB81** · 02-15-2011, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by whocaresit

I'm putting my hopes on Ballsy. If he doesn't announce anything important like release date or price tomorrow, its all over for RIM.

everyone sell your shares!! we've been given a clear view of the future!

**Livett** · 02-15-2011, 12:16 PM

I'm high surprised he still posts here. He's been pissing and moaning since his first post.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**mcjohn** · 02-15-2011, 12:45 PM

I never thought of it before but I think RIM is planning a 'soft' launch of the wifi only and will probably have a bigger marketing campaign for the 3G and 4G versions when they come out later this year.

While I don't think it's the best marketing strategy, all I care about is they release it before March 31st.

**kb5zht** · 02-15-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by bighap

Jim Balsillie speaks tomorrow. I expect newsworthy info then.

By God I admire the optimism in here, no matter what the odds are and what history suggests.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**edaniel1717** · 02-15-2011, 01:33 PM

The best way to look at it this.

March 31 is the release date.....

Before March 31:--- Congrats your getting PB sooner
Later than March 31- red flags....

**Rickroller** · 02-15-2011, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by kb5zht

By God I admire the optimism in here, no matter what the odds are and what history suggests.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

You admire it..I laugh at it and smh.

Look..I by no means want RIM to fail, nor the Playbook (nor do I think it will), nor any of the new upcoming phones..but the route that RIM has been taking in regards to their "roadmap" make me glad I didn't keep waiting around to experience something else. And everyone's "optimism" as you put it..makes me feel bad for RIM fans eagerly awaiting a hand out.

We've seen this "optimism" first at CES, then at perhaps the "big" Superbowl announcement/commercial, now at WMC..and soon to be at BBW. Of course we all know how this story goes..everyone gets hopes up, only to have them dashed yet again.

RIM needs to do something drastic if they want to ever recapture the NA market. This involves spending money on advertising, promotion, and getting the word out that BB has changed their tune (and 3 million dollars on a commercial for a multi-billion dollar company is a drop in the bucket). As of right now..their "tune" seems to be stuck on repeat.

**grncherry1** · 02-15-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by bighap

Jim Balsillie speaks tomorrow. I expect newsworthy info then.

You are a glutton for abuse, he is not going to say anything you haven't heard before. They shouldn't even let him open his mouth. A good public speaker he is not, IMHO.