Apple are rumoured to be responsible for RIM PlayBook delay

The delay in the release of RIM’s tablet device –the PlayBook – may have been caused by a shortage in components, thanks to Apple securing the entire inventories of some component producers for use with their own iPad 2 device.

The PlayBook had originally been scheduled for a stateside release on April 19th, a date that has now been knocked back by a month.

The report by Digitimes, also identified a delay in the PlayBook’s testing precedure caused by RIM being forced to switch their CPU provider at a late stage.

An RIM spokesperson is said to have rubbished reports that the delay was due to the device having a sub-par battery life, stating that the PlayBook would have “comparable battery life” to devices on the market today.

There is some positive news surrounding the device, however. RIM are rumoured to working with software developers to allow Android apps to run on the PlayBook’s QNX operating system. This would give PlayBook users access to over 130,000 applications as soon as the device is launched, cancelling fears that the amount of tablet oriented apps available to early PlayBook users would be rather slim.

It is unclear as to whether the delays will have a knock on affect for the British release of the device, which has been tentatively announced for June.

Similar Stories

• New research shows iPad’s dominance in 2010
• iPads and other tablets are backed by House of Lords