RIM sells just 250,000 Playbook tablets

CANADIAN SMARTPHONE FIRM Research In Motion (RIM) has sold just a quarter of a million of its Playbook tablets since they went on sale in April, according to an analyst report.

RBC Capital Markets said in a research note for clients that sales of the tablet computer have been steady since it was released on 19 April and are on target to reach half a million by the end of the quarter.

This, it added, will make it a better seller than the Android-based Motorola Xoom, however it is likely to pale next to the 15 million Ipads that Apple sold in its first three quarters and the 4.69 million it sold in its last quarter.

Best Buy, the barn-like consumer electronics store, has sold around 14 per cent of its inventory of the 16GB unit, 71 per cent of the 32GB version and 84 per cent of the 64GB model, again according to the analysts.

The early recall of 1,000 units with operating system problems does not appear to have dented sales much, and other than these the analysts found that returns have been nominal.

Sales are likely to increase as 3G and 4G international models are released, as well as when the firm adds an Android player, native email and an SDK.

Steady as she goes seems to be the general RIM feeling, and the back to school market is likely to keep sales of its smartphones, like the Bold, chugging along nicely.

Although the smartphone market might decline by nine per cent, the analysts added that RIM will likely hold on to second place in terms of shipments in the UK market. µ