We recently saw the BlackBerry 7 OS get approved for use by the UK government, now the same OS, along with OS 7.1 has been approved for use by Australian and New Zealand governments. It certainly is reassuring to know that our beloved BlackBerry operating systems is secure enough to get government approval. While not many consumers are hugely concerned about security, I, for one, like this about BlackBerry so I always like hearing news like this.

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Hey Australia, if you're looking to get a BlackBerry PlayBook, but missed out on the sales that Harvey Norman stores just had, you can still find a good price. The BlackBerry Store is advertising all three sizes of the tablet on sale, with the 16GB priced at $295, 32GB at $349, and 64GB at $398. The site is listing them as on sale for this week only, so hurry and get yours!

More information from BlackBerry Store

While there has been concern voiced about BlackBerry PlayBook sales in the US in its first few months of availability, the tablet is selling very well in other parts of the world. In Australia, retailer Harvey Norman is reporting that  PlayBook sales are exceeding their expectations and they have had to re-order stock multiple times to stay on top of demand.

“Sales of the PlayBook are very, very good,” said Ben McIntosh, the head of Harvey Norman’s Computers buying team, who credited RIM’s success to its tablet strategy. “BlackBerry has probably come from a different direction. The PlayBook was always going to be more of a niche product based on the fact that they’re really targeting the BlackBerry smartphone base that’s in Australia and the world. The sales of the PlayBook have been fantastic, we’ve re-ordered multiple times and it’s exceeded our expectations.”

Research In Motion hasn't released any firm numbers yet on total number of BlackBerry PlayBook sales since launch, which has led many people to believe that sales are quite a bit lower than originally expected. While the numbers are no where near those of the Apple iPad - and let's be honest, probably never will be - the PlayBook is still enjoying success in its own right.

Source: Current

The BlackBerry PlayBook was the first tablet to earn FIPS 140-2 certification in the US, then Russia started looking into using the tablet for its government officials. Now the PlayBook has been approved by the Defense Signals Directorate (DSD) of the Australian Government for use in government agencies, when using the BlackBerry Bridge application and connected to an approved BlackBerry smartphone.

“RIM continues to set the benchmark for government security and now with DSD approval the BlackBerry PlayBook is the first tablet to be certified for deployment in Australian government departments. This again demonstrates our leadership in the government sector and our commitment and investment in secure mobile technology," said Scott Deacon, Manager Security Certifications, Asia Pacific BlackBerry Security, RIM.

The Australian government has strict security standards, and the PlayBook is the first tablet they have certified to secure information with a classification of restricted or protected, which represents the majority of the government's day-to-day operational communications.

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Source: cfoworld

The news broke earlier that the BlackBerry PlayBook is coming to an additional 16 markets within the next 30 days - including Australia, but if you are at a loss for details on the tablet's upcoming debut in Down Under, read on.

The tablet will retail for $579 AUD for the 16GB Wi-Fi model as well as $689 AUD and $799 AUD for the 32GB and 64GB models respectively. Although that is quite a premium in price compared to the U.S. model, it is fair to note that Europeans will pay even more than that (roughly $650 AUD for the 16GB Wi-Fi model). Please hang in there Down Under, we Europeans know how you feel ;-)

When is the big day, you ask? June 20th. Be sure to mark that in your calendar, Australia - and while you're at it, also note down that the BlackBerry PlayBook will launch through all of Australia's major mobile carriers as well as retailer Harvey Norman. So, any CrackBerry readers from Down Under planning to buy the BlackBerry PlayBook? Let us know in the comments!

It's been long awaited by many that I know who live in Australia and New Zealand but finally, Research In Motion has delivered BlackBerry App World. Folks in Australia and New Zealand can now download and install BlackBerry App World to their BlackBerry smartphones which of course, brings with it many other applications. No having to look for work arounds once things are fully up and running. Content currently is based on free applications but more and more apps will be loaded over the next little while to make it as robust as other countries offerings.

From The Press Release:

“BlackBerry App World makes it very easy for our customers to discover and download a wide variety of applications for their BlackBerry smartphone,” said Adele Beachley, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Research In Motion. “BlackBerry App World provides a fantastic new resource and enhanced experience for customers and an equally exciting business opportunity for RIM’s partners.”

Another milestone down in making BlackBerry App World a global offering as Research In Motion envisioned. Anyone from Australia or New Zealand out there currently using BlackBerry App World? Let us know in the comments folks.

• Read The Full Press Release Via The Research In Motion Website >>