RIM Shipping Developers Free PlayBooks Before Release Worldwide

With the April 19th date almost upon us many developers have been waiting to get their hands on the device to test their apps. This includes many international developers including a few who asked the question on RIM’s #AskBBDev session yesterday. The thing is the BlackBerry PlayBook is not really set to launch internationally until later though RIM did initially set the international launch date to sometime in calendar Q2. These PlayBooks in question are the free ones offered in the promotion RIM has going for apps submitted into App World before March 31st.

 @Ddluc specifically asked:

Here is what RIM responded:

@BBThemes1 them followed up asking:

To which @BlackBerryDev responded:

I then checked the original wording from RIM’s terms and conditions on the offer and it says:

3.4 Subject to the Application Criteria outlined below, if the Application qualifies for the Offer, the Participant will be deemed eligible to receive a free BlackBerry PlayBook (“Eligible Participant”), subject to the notification and delivery conditions below. Each Eligible Participant will receive one (1) 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook; one (1) USB charger; and, one (1) North American wall outlet charger (collectively, “Device”). However, be advised that the distribution of the Device will not begin until the Device is commercially available to the public in the Eligible Participant’s country of residence (as provided to Sponsor during initial registration at the Vendor Portal).

Then I noticed that RIM has added a new line to the bottom of the contest page:

The launch date of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet has been announced. All qualifying vendors for the free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet are on a priority list to receive their shipment.

I guess its good to be a PlayBook developer!