Just in case you don't actually get Future Shop and Best Buy newsletters in your email, you may not know that the BlackBerry PlayBook has been prominently displayed by both retailers for the past few weeks now leading up to the release of PlayBook OS 2.0 and even after. The placement, within those newsletters appears to of have paid off for RIM as confirmed by the BlackBerry Twitter account:

News! Best Buy (@BBYCanadaDeals) informed us that #BlackBerry #PlayBook was their TOP selling tablet last week! bbry.lv/xohW2J

Yay! #BlackBerry #PlayBook was the #1 selling tablet at Future Shop (@FS_Deals) this week! bbry.lv/zqW8tF

With PlayBook OS 2.0 now out there for the masses, there is a lot of folks realizing the BlackBerry PlayBook does have a lot to offer and you don't specifically need to be a BlackBerry user to own one, something that many PlayBook critics harshed on when the PlayBook was launched.

Best Buy Canada got a bit of a jump on things when they listed the PlayBook OS 2.0 software as "coming soon" in their recent ad, and now they may be getting a bit ahead of themselves once again. As listed on their PlayBook product page, Best Buy notes that PlayBook owners will be able to access both Twitter and Kindle apps.

Plug in to BlackBerry App World and read, write and game like never before. With thousands of apps for every use, you'll never run out of new and exciting options. Pick up Angry Birds or Cut the Rope, read the latest magazines, or connect online with Facebook and Twitter apps. With access to Kobo and Kindle, you can enjoy new late night reading without ever leaving your living room. 

We still haven't heard any news regarding either of these apps, but they have topped the most-wanted list for PlayBook apps for quite a while. If you recall, Amazon had announced a Kindle app before the PlayBook ever saw the light of day yet we've heard nothing on it since. So this could be a big "oops" on Best Buy for dropping the ball, or just a crazy mix up that is getting us excited for no reason. In any case, we should find out very soon.

Source: N4BB

Looks like ad's aren't the only thing happening at Best Buy in preperation for the PlayBook OS 2.0 release. They've now sent off training information to all Best Buy employees so that they may get up to date on all the new details surrounding the impending update. RIM still haven't given out an official release date for when PlayBook OS 2.0 will drop but if employees are now taking the training for it, the idea of February 21st sounds reasonable. If that is indeed the day it drops, RIM will also have to push some other updates along with it,BlackBerry Bridge will see a new release and we're also hearing FaceBook for PlayBook will get updated to v.2.2.0.39 as well that day with the release supporting the new PlayBook keyboard and fixes for OS 2.

Via: Berry Review

This week's Best Buy Canada flyer is a bit of a tease for anxious BlackBerry PlayBook owners. The ad shows off the available PlayBook models, but in addition is sporting a BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Coming Soon message. While there is no official date listed for the actual release, it's another good sign that things are on track.

The all-new PlayBook OS 2.0 brings together the best of BlackBerry communications including powerful productivity tools and your favourite applications in -- slim package. 

So overall it looks like we're in good shape to see PlayBook OS 2.0 in the next week or so. Try to stay patient and all will be well - we won't keep it a secret when it becomes available!

Source: MobileSyrup

Not one to be left out, Best Buy Canada has now dropped the price of the BlackBerry PlayBook like their US and Mexican counterparts. As it stands now, you can pick up a 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB PlayBook for $299, which matches the pricing that we've seen popping up all over, including straight from RIM. Thanks for the tip aphelion_blue!

Of course, many people have been left scratching their heads at the pricing, wondering why anyone would buy a 16GB PlayBook for the same price as they could get a 64GB. Well, the answer is pretty obvious if you think about it. They wouldn't, and that's what RIM wants to happen. When the PlayBook was released, the 64GB was priced at $699 and it seems that most people weren't willing to shell out that much for a tablet that they weren't 100% sure would be right for them. The 16GB PlayBook at $499 was still a bit expensive, but more likely to sell, and add to that all the 16GB PlayBooks RIM has given away through the developer program and at DevCon and BlackBerry World, and it's clear that RIM is likely sitting on a fairly large pile of 64GB tablets. What better way to get rid of them than to make the choice for the customer by offering the larger capacity tablet for the same price as the smaller?

More details from Best Buy Canada

Update - They appear to have sold out, already! Here's to hoping they get more stock! 

Did you miss out on previous BlackBerry PlayBook sales because you were unable to get out to the store to grab one? Then this may be the deal for you. Best Buy has advertised on their site refurbished BlackBerry PlayBook's, but previously they were sold out. They have some 32GB devices in stock currently, so If you are looking for a good deal on a PlayBook you can grab yourself one of these for only $169 (which is cheaper than you could have previously grabbed a new 16GB device for). Be quick if you are interested as we don't know what the stock levels are, so hit the link below and grab one for yourself.

Check out the 32GB PlayBook at Best Buy

* Update Statement from Best Buy:

Starting Sunday, November 20th, Best Buy offered $300 instant savings to the BlackBerry PlayBook, reducing the price to $299.99 and $199.99 for the 32 GB and 16 GB, respectively. Customers have responded very positively to this short-term promotion available until Dec. 3 and, as a result, we are currently sold out of our inventory. We will have additional units available in the near future, at which time customers will be able to purchase the devices online at bestbuy.com. *

News from the blog electronista reports that Best Buy has pulled the BlackBerry PlayBook from its online store and that several customers have had their orders cancelled. Some shoppers who placed their order with the retailer complain in the store's online forums of orders cancelled without notice - some sources say all orders were cancelled. A quick check of the Best Buy (USA) website confirms that the tablet is no longer listed. Indeed, a strange move to make before the so-called Cyber Monday.

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*Update 2* - And now it looks like they all went into backorder status and are back to regular pricing. Pretty sure that won't last long though -- those prices were there for a reason so they'll likely appear again soon. Plus, you can hit the sotres -- a lot of folks are saying they still have them and are selling them for the sale price.

*Update* Best Buy Mexico has dropped prices as well -- Thanks, @icemanswimmer!

As much as I hate stating the obvious and inevitable -- Best Buy USA has now followed suit of their Canadian branch for the most part. All BlackBerry PlayBook versions have now dropped in pricing. Right now a 16GB is going for $200 with a 32GB going for $230 and 64GB roundong out at $300. For the moment, 16GB and 64GB are currently on back order with shipment dates showing as mid December but 32GB are currently in stock and ready to be shipped.

PS: Yes, the pricing has a misprint on it -- don't get overly excited unless you're willing to fight for that price.

More information available at Best Buy

Via: BriefMobile

It's not often that we see BlackBerry apps shown off in print advertisements, and even more rare (aka never) that said apps are still in beta. This is the case however with the latest Best Buy ad as it talks up BBM Music, although there are no real details about the app availability. Not sure who screwed up on this one, but since BBM Music is still making it's way through the BlackBerry Beta Zone, it's hard to believe that Best Buy got the go ahead from RIM to run this ad. What do you think? Drop a comment and let us know! Thanks Danny!

Who doesn't love free phones? Best Buy Mobile in Canada is running their Free Phone Friday promotions through October, and this week's special is none other than BlackBerry! But, not just one BlackBerry. Today only you can grab a Bold 9900, a Torch 9810, or a Curve 9360 from various carriers for just a penny with a new 3-year activation. Make sure you read the fine print for all the details on the offer. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

More information from Best Buy

The BlackBerry PlayBook price drops keep rolling out across North American retailers. Best Buy USA is now selling the 16GB, WiFi-only version of the BlackBerry PlayBook for $299. That's a $200 discount over its retail price of $499.

Considering the PlayBook is only going to keep getting better with a BlackBerry Tablet OS version 2.0 release around the corner, that's a pretty sweet deal. Follow the links below to discuss in the CrackBerry forums and jump over to Best Buy's website. 

Learn More / Buy the BlackBerry PlayBook from Best Buy
Discuss in the CrackBerry Forums

Update: It looks like this may be an old image after all. It does make sense since the Tablet OS v.2 should be moving away from the multiple panels format and more towards user created folders. Kevin touched on this a while back and said the new OS will most likely be more iOS like in that you can create your own folders and group apps along with other changes. So unfortunately this may not be one to drool over, but hopefully some real screens of v2.0 will turn up before long.

Hot off the RIM earnings call last night where Jim Balsille spilled the beans on the PlayBook Tablet OS v2.0 details, forums member CB.Mike-D posted up this pic of a BlackBerry PlayBook from a Best Buy catalog. If you inspect the image closely you'll notice a few key elements of the screen that aren't quite right. The image here does indeed show the Tablet OS on the PlayBook, but it's not the current incarnation that we know. The Photos and Videos icons are a bit different than what we have now and there is also a search icon in the top right corner. Both a Messages and Calendar icon are present, however there is no BlackBerry Bridge panel, so this could be the native clients. Also there are both a Social and Favorites panel that aren't in the current OS. Sooooo .... what do it all mean? It could possibly be v2.0 of the Tablet OS, or it could just be a big mix up. It doesn't look much like a Photoshop screw up, so we're thinking it's a good possibility that it's an early screen of what we can expect when v2.0 sees the light of day. Good job Best Buy ... we know you're holding out on us so lets see some more ;-)

Discuss more in the forums

Best Buy is kicking off summer with a big push on tablets. While they stock quite a few so consumers have their choice, it's good to seem them pushing the BlackBerry PlayBook as well. This time the PlayBook gets it's own spot (which I caught on TV last night) and is shown off doing what it does best. Nothing super special in the ad but I'm still a big fan of seeing commercials for RIM products since they have been so lacking the past. Check out the full commercial above.

Last month RIM and Best Buy partnered up with Foo Fighters for a contest with prizes including tickets to see Foo Fighters along with a shiny new BlackBerry PlayBook, a convertible case and BlackBerry charging pod. The contest is over and while we aren't sure who won the grand prize, at least one member of CrackBerry, richs, was one of 20 first prize winners.

RIM has updated the site with pictures of the Garage Tour which you can check out at the link below. While the PlayBook/concert contest is over, you can still enter to win a chance to BBM with a member of Foo Fighters during a performance, or an autographed CD.

Check out the full gallery and enter to win the ongoing contests

Press Release

Best Buy Begins Accepting Orders For BlackBerry PlayBook Today

Minneapolis, MN and Waterloo, ON - Customers eagerly awaiting the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet can begin placing their orders today. Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) and Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), a preferred retailer for the BlackBerry PlayBook, today announced the pricing and launch date for the highly anticipated tablet in the U.S. and Canada.

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