The free BlackBerry PlayBook offer for developers has again been extended through the end of the month. Developers who create and submit apps to BlackBerry App World before March 31st will be eligible for a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. To get in on the action, you'll just need to submit an app according to the contest guidelines.
Developers who create a qualifying application for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet prior to its initial North American release are eligible for a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. The main criterion to qualify for the free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet offer is to have a qualifying application accepted into BlackBerry App World, subject to certain Terms and Conditions.
Note: New BlackBerry App World Vendor Guidelines have removed the requirement for a notarized proof of identity for individuals. To allow individuals time to register and qualify for the free BlackBerry PlayBook offer, the offer has been extended to March 31, 2011.
You can submit multiple BlackBerry PlayBook tablet apps into BlackBerry App World, but each BlackBerry App World vendor will only qualify for one free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Apps will need to meet the BlackBerry App World Vendor Guidelines."
So if you haven't created an app yet you still have a few weeks to give it a shot. If you have already submitted an app, why not do another? Hit the link below for more.
Free BlackBerry PlayBook offer for developers
willwnet Mar 7, 2011 at 1:42 pm
So don't expect the PlayBook to be released anywhere before March 31st then :-(
At least now I can get my app in to AppWorld in time.
AutoPilot2020 Mar 7, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Yeah, I agree with you about the release date, maybe the 1st of April? but now I actually believe that the 10th is true, but then again its a Sunday....
Adam Zeis Mar 7, 2011 at 1:51 pm
The Tour was released on a Sunday (July 12th 2009) so the fact that April 10th is a Sunday doesn't really mean anything.
AutoPilot2020 Mar 7, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Oh, I was unaware of this, that seems like a fairly odd date to release a new product though. :S
shankeith Mar 7, 2011 at 6:52 pm
"At least now I can get my app in to AppWorld in time."
exactly what i thought when i saw this article too, lol
Kuttysark Mar 7, 2011 at 1:58 pm
It's good and bad I guess. I'm going to the BB Dev conf that day in Toronto. Though I wish my programmers were coming.
etlahrs Mar 7, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Yep, sounds like the Q1 release date is going to be missed. Doubt they would continue this promotion after the release date since the whole purpose is to get as many apps out there for the release. I just want to get mine, and now it seems like a longer wait.
gregorylkelly Mar 7, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Well, if they don't have as many apps as they were planning, they could have extended it to get more apps in the App World. However, they wouldn't delay the PlayBook due to a lack of App support. So I could see them extending this promotion past the release of the PlayBook.
Xecutioner88 Mar 7, 2011 at 2:27 pm
You know what im going to do? Quit reading news blogs related to gadgets altogether. since the announcement of the playbook ive been literally looking for info every single day, anxiously waiting.
And now this? Q1Q1Q1Q1 (they shouldve hinted END of Q1) and its probably going to miss it!?
I wouldnt feel so dissapointed if i just heard from the playbook through tv ads or some friend telling me about it. but then again, RIM doesnt have that much marketing -_-.
Quisinberry Mar 7, 2011 at 2:32 pm
So apps are the wave of the future?
mapsonburt Mar 7, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Folks, this extension means NOTHING with respect to when they plan on releasing this product. They could, at a stroke of the pen, extend this to next year and all of us developers would be very happy (and they should). They recently changed the requirement for notaries to sign off on personal ID's which were a road block for a lot of personal developers (including me) so, I for one, am VERY happy they gave me another 2 weeks to get my app in. Doesn't mean my app is going to be on the playbook on the day of release.
blackberrymole Mar 7, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I LOVE IT.......
DGriffy Mar 7, 2011 at 3:10 pm
true this doesnt have to affect the release date.just more incentive for developers to have apps soon.the apps they promised are already preloaded nfs,tetris,docs and flash.its not liek ppl are gonna start downloading flashlight apps immediately.they want the product in hand for web surfing.besides the playbook isnt gonna be a toy to use apps on.its made to be an extension of your lives to make your daily activities more convenient whether that be business or media.its not the itoy
rgm#cb Mar 7, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Still wish RIM could give a release date already. Does look like BGR may be right for an April release date. RIM having some problems with launching their first tablet it seems. Extending developers free Playbook time twice, is sending a message of some problem with getting Apps in time for launch for sure. RIM hurry up! As of Friday 11th you will start losing some of your once loyal customers and some of the impulsive buyers.
flyersfan76 Mar 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I don't see the big deal.
They could make the deadline April 25th for all I care. Is there some hidden rule about this offer where RIM can only give away Playbooks when the thing isn't released.
Let's say it is on the retail shelves. What they can't have a free offer because now people can actually buy them.
danielcj Mar 7, 2011 at 4:07 pm
I'm actually getting tired of not knowing when the Playbook is launching or how much it's going to cost. I have to say that one of the things I'm impressed with Apple is their method of announcement and prompt delivery of the product....
dresz Mar 7, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Holy Crap! Since CrackBerry extended their birthday sale that means they must be on the verge of bankruptcy. Huh??
zensen Mar 7, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I have no qualms with it being released on the 31st, or on the 10th April. The difference there is neglible. If it gets pushed to end of april-May for no apparent reason then you can start getting irritated - you've waited this long.
Tho I think whats irking a lot of people is the price and a certain release date. You need certainty :P
I'm glad they are extending this, it gives a lot of potential developers more time to get that app ready for appworld and for eventual release on the PlayBook. I doubt most people dont have 100 apps at one time on their tablets. Im all for quality and hopefully RIM understands this.
Kiddo2050 Mar 7, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Really I think they can only backward induct about 1 week before the release date to make an official announcement. So RIM hasn't done anything wrong. it's not reasonable to ask RIM to release the release date early just to suit crackberry addicts. Honestly people are asking RIM to make a statement last December saying the release day is March 31??? Then there would be no real news.
You (and I) are only ticked off because we read these blogs everyday, it's us not RIM.
Chuan Yeong Mar 7, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Thank god....i've been having lots of trouble with flex. Delayed launch means more time to polish up the app :)