Skip to main content

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. said Friday it will begin to roll -out its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet device in 16 countries outside of North America over the next month.

The long-awaited competitor to Apple Inc.'s iPad device was launched to some troubling reviews in the United States and Canada in April.

Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM said it will now begin to sell the device in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and India, among other countries.

The Canadian company has been dogged by troubles in recent months, disappointing investors by slashing sales and earnings forecasts soon after revealing a weak earnings outlook.

It was also forced to recall about 1,000 PlayBooks last month due to an operating system flaw. RIM had hoped the launch of the PlayBook could revive its fortunes, but the product garnered poor reviews and complaints that it had been rushed out before it was ready.

Interact with The Globe