It looks like RIM has officially launched the all new SDK and simulator for the BlackBerry PlayBook, at last.  We were told about this back at DEVCON, and were curious to see how it would be first hand.  Now developers can stop drooling and start brainstorming as the SDK is officially out along with the simulator.

Aside from the SDK, I’m sure many of you are curious to see how the PlayBook is.  I know I am myself.  So click the link below to download both the SDK and simulator for the BlackBerry PlayBook or hit the jump for the full press release from RIM.

• Download the SDK and Simulator for the BlackBerry PlayBook >>

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According to an article I read over at eWeek, the BlackBerry PlayBook could be launching as expected at the end of February or early March.  The article gets more into the BlackBerry Storm 3 and all the confusions of whether or not it has been canceled.  But back to the PlayBook, rumors surfaced that the device isn’t doing so well in testing and is having issues but seeing a launch date estimate at end of February or early March does not seem so bad, allowing RIM a chance to compete in the tablet market.  Anything later than that just seems too much of a risk where the market is already filled with iPads and Android tablets then RIM just squeezes in.

• Read the full article >>
  

-by Otoniel Bruno

Just yesterday we ran a quick poll to see who was interested in purchasing the BlackBerry PlayBook.  We didn’t mention pricing terms or anything – just based off of what we know about it so far.  So here were the results:

• Yes: 58.59%
• No: 11.11%
• Not Sure: 30.3%

So based off of the results, we’re seeing that there is high interest in the device so far but there is still a fraction there that would like to find out more about the device – more or so see hands on experience videos.  Only an 11.11% straight up said no to the PlayBook.

Here at DEVCON, there’s a lot of hype for the device and if you go ahead and watch the keynote streaming, you’ll see how excited all the developers and press were when the teaser video came on.

-by Mac Jadalhack

RIM has went ahead and posted up some official images of the BlackBerry PlayBook which was officially announced just yesterday here at DEVCON.  These images include previews for email (which looks a lot like the iPad), pictures folder, homescreen, video chatting, BBM, and more.  Hit the jump for the full gallery.

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After seeing RIM unveil the BlackBerry PlayBook, it brought a lot of excitement here at DEVCON with all the developers and even us.  Of course there’s always mixed feelings involved due to the lack of an actual hands on experience with the device and not knowing enough about it. So we want to know if you’re in to buy the tablet, not at all, or just not sure due to lack of knowledge on it.

It seems like a slip or maybe just a rumor for now.  I attended introduction to BlackBerry Tablet OS right after the General Session to learn more about what is being offered in the PlayBook.  One of the speakers on stage seemed to hint that a 4G model of the tablet will be coming in the future, but assured us that this first generation PlayBook is WiFi only.  So that clears up some confusions folks were asking themselves after the keynote.  As for the 4G one, there’s no other speculation on it besides what we heard slip up during the breakout session.

-by Mac Jadalhack

Here are some photos of the BlackBerry PlayBook that I took after the General Session here at DEVCON.  Sorry for the glare.  It was a really open room with lots of windows and a bunch of sun.  Check out the full gallery after the jump!

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For all you developers following up with DEVCON and couldn’t make it out here in San Francisco, you should definitely check out the BlackBerry PlayBook software developer kit.  It isn’t officially out now, but you can sign up to be one of the first to check it out to start developing.  There will of course be emulators available to make sure the applications work properly, but of course you’ll want to eventually try it out on the tablet itself once launched.

• Register and be the first to try out the BlackBerry PlayBook SDK >>
  

-by Mac Jadalhack

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

As we recently just reported, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is now official.  RIM Co CEO Mike Lazaridis got on stage, announced it, and teased us with the video shown above.  We know all you will fall in love with it and we’re told that we’ll be playing around with them later on today here at DEVCON.

Exciting news for everyone today, not so much for the blogs who reported that there is no mention on a BlackBerry tablet today.  Oh well.  In any case RIM has announced the BlackBerry Tablet rocking out some awesome features including:

• Full HTML 5 and Flash v10.1
• 1GHz processor with 1GB RAM
• Ultra Thin – 9.7MM
• 7 inch screen

I’m loving it so far and we’re still in the keynote where they’re discussing and exemplifying what the PlayBook can do.  Stay tuned for more!

-by Mac Jadalhack