HN user
With all the rumors of Android on the Playbook, you'd think it was right around the corner. I'd caution that the Playbook doesn't run any java at the moment (only Air, C++) unlike the previous BlackBerry SDKs.
Just to clarify it's not $20/app - it's $20/app AND every update to that app. It's $20/submission. I heard from developer relations that the fee has been waved for the moment. RIM also used to want $2K/year for HTTP access over BIS. I've heard this has been waved (but docs are still up saying this is a benefit of membership: https://partners.blackberry.com/web/guest/access-to-blackber...)
They haven't, but they are currently in the process of trying to reinvent their OS - with QNX. Except, they are launching this OS, but leaving all their Java devs behind. The OS launches on the Playbook with only C++ and Flash support if you can believe it. I don't expect them to have significant market share in two years from now.