US government gives BlackBerry’s PlayBook the okay

By Molly McHugh July 21, 2011

The BlackBerry PlayBook, despite all the powerful technology packed into the tablet, has had its fair share of struggles. After delays and rumors of poor sales, we recently found out that it’s even losing out to Windows tablets. But one fan BlackBerry has always had in its corner is the corporate and professional world, and now that favor is extending to the somewhat beleaguered PlayBook.

Today RIM announced that the PlayBook as become the first tablet certified for US government use. It’s the first and only tablet to receive the distinction, which allows it to break through the stereotype that the devices are not productivity-friendly. “This certification demonstrates our continued commitment to meeting the needs of security-conscious organizations and enables the US federal government to buy with confidence knowing that the PlayBook meets their computing policy requirements for protecting sensitive information,” RIM senior VP of BlackBerry Security Scott Totzke said in a statement.

Federal-approval gives the PlayBook a competitive edge over other tablets, but its long-term success still hangs in the air. RIM has yet to announce how many devices have actually been purchased by consumers and has only given numbers on how many units it has shipped. RIM has promoted the multitasking and speedy capabilities of the PlayBook, but recalls and carrier woes have plagued the tablet. But if it can find a home with government workers, the PlayBook might be able to capitalize on the market.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

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