BlackBerry PlayBook sold out in Malaysia, coming soon to a Maxis Centre near you

Maxis Communications Berhad, a leading mobile service provider in Malaysia, launched the BlackBerry PlayBook in the country a little over a week ago. Much to its surprise, Maxis experienced a huge number of pre-orders (or pre-bookings) and has since closed the offer due to higher than expected demand. Navigating to Maxis' page for the BlackBerry PlayBook presents the following information:

Please be informed that booking for the BlackBerry® PlayBook^TM is now closed. If you have missed out, don't worry as normal purchase will be available at Maxis Centres soon

On July 15th, Maxis launched the new tablet at an exclusive event, against a backdrop of breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur skyline from The View at Level 29 of G Tower. Invited attendees came together for a night of devices, dinner, dancing and lucky draws. Jean Pascal Van Overbeke, Maxis' Chief Operating Officer and host of the event said, "Maxis has been constantly bringing the future to our customers, delighting them with enhanced communications experiences. We have invested in the building of an entire ecosystem that supports their communications needs - through providing them with the best devices, rate plans, network coverage and customer service. We are pleased today to launch this beautiful new sophisticated tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook first and exclusively to our customers." Dany Bolduc, Vice President, Malaysia at RIM, added that "We [RIM] are thrilled to be working with Maxis in bringing the BlackBerry PlayBook to Malaysia."

And the partnership really shows. Available with a choice of either a 1.5GB or 3GB monthly data plan (starting at RM30, or $10 USD) and a 12- or 24-month contract, customers have a wide variety of options to choose from. Existing Maxis BIS customers can get the BlackBerry PlayBook for as low as RM990 (approx. $335 USD) when they sign up for a 3GB data plan with their BlackBerry smartphone. Maxis also offers the BlackBerry PlayBook for an additional RM100 savings if you buy it together with the BlackBerry Bold 9780 or BlackBerry Torch 9800 (please check Maxis' website for conditions).

Interestingly, Maxis has also partnered with software developers to bring six customized applications to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Applications are available for download on BlackBerry App World and include a language translator, currency converter, Formula 1 app as well as a location-based service app to find areas of interest (think Poynt, but tailor-made for Malaysia). An app to locate Maxis Wi-Fi hotspots is part of the pack, too.

Maxis has certainly put a lot of effort and dedication into bringing the BlackBerry PlayBook to the digitally connected people of Malaysia, and the successful launch of the tablet in the country is a feat worthy of celebration not only in Malaysia, but the world of #TeamBlackBerry at large.