[FSeverino]

Here is something I thought about this morning... Everyone knows that the Summer Olympics are going to be in London this year, and that A LOT of reporters will need to do research and access the internet to complete their work. Also, a lot of media workers will need to access the internet for up to date stats and event details.

That is all fine and dandy if you live in London or have a WiFi connection... but what if you dont have a WiFi connection and you are using a tablet? Well, we also all know that the iPad does NOT work on the proposed 4G network in the UK. From what I have read they are trying to get this network up for the olympics...

I think this can be a HUGE tool for RIM!

Imagine all the North American reporters going into the UK and NOT having 4G... then they pass a Playbook kiosk which allows them to USE OUR 4G DEVICE to do some quick browsing. The people realize that this is something that they need, at the very least for the duration of the games. SO RIM RENTS SOME of the PBs out for 24/48 periods... or the duration of the olympics. The people will know that all of their information is secure because it is a RIM product, and after they use it it will go through a Security Wipe (with the person present) and can be re-rented or sold (possibly to the people that rented it!!!).

I think that this would be an amazing way to 'sneak' the Playbook into the market. These reporters/spectators might think 'sure, ill rent this for a week because it looks cool, and i need the access' but after the RIM rep gives them a quick 'how to' and they use it for the games im sure there will be, at the very least, a 10% - 25% BUY RATE... and that is 'rent' money and 'buy' money that RIM would never have gained otherwise.

Although the monetary aspect may seem enticing I think that there is something more important about this 'advertising' idea... VISIBILITY! Imagine sitting in the Aquatics or Gymnastic areas, or in the Track & Field Stadium, and seeing hundreds of people using the exact same device.

PEOPLE WILL NOTICE THE PLAYBOOK!


What do you guys think?

[FSeverino]

No opinions on this?

[Premium1]

I think people would plan to have internet when they go over to report on this or will be given an air card for their internet from their company but I see where you are coming from.

[FSeverino]

But that is exatly what im getting at. If companies are going to have to do all these work arounds then RIM can play the 'easy solution' card. They can set up the playbooks as local 4G units which would be cheaper then getting 'long distance' cards. Also, syncing emails is very quick and if they include the keyboard case in the rental then they are essential renting out a 4G laptop with some pretty productive apps and features.

Obviously it wont be something that everyone goes for, but if even 1% of people go for it... It could be a great way to increase visibility.