Research in Motion (News - Alert) (RIM) has been desperately trying to make a name for itself in the tablet market going up against some of the biggest competitors such as Apple and Samsung. Now, RIM is offering a new promotion to try to get developers on board to create more apps for their BlackBerry PlayBook by offering a free tablet to developers who create an app for RIM.

Alec Saunders, Vice President of Developer Relations at RIM, posted a statement on Twitter (News - Alert) confirming the promotion saying, “Shh…Android Devs – submit your Android app to BB Appworld by Feb. 13 and get a free Playbook.”

RIM said they are prepared to live up to their word and give the tablets out for free, but developers do have to follow certain rules. “The app must adhere to the App World Vendor guidelines and there are ‘terms and conditions’ that are principally designed to prevent abuse of the promotion,” said RIM.

RIM’s seven-inch tablet, the BlackBerry Playbook, runs Android (News - Alert) apps using special translation software. Android code needs to be tweaked for the RIM runtime then repackaged and code-signed before it can be made available through the BB Appworld shop. Many have completed the extra step to make their apps available in the shop, but RIM is looking for more.

This promotion could be a win-win for RIM if it is successful. The app-for-a-tablet trade could be a quick way for RIM to expand its app catalog, which currently has only around 51,000 apps. This is also an opportunity for RIM to get rid of some unwanted tablets, possibility making room for some new products and updated designs, while boosting sales.

It’s no secret that back in December, RIM took a write-down loss of almost $485 million after using discounts to try and increase sales of their Playbook tablet during the holidays. For the third quarter of 2011, RIM said that it shipped 150,000 Playbooks’ to stores and wholesalers; however, the company never confirmed how many of those Playbooks’ were actually sold to customers. There is also no data confirming how many of the RIM tablets are currently in active use.

However, RIM had no choice when it came to these ailing tablets. If they were to stop production of them, developers would most likely stop creating apps for the tablet, which in turn means fewer apps for their BlackBerry (News - Alert) 10 phones they plan on releasing this year. RIM is trying to prevent another failing product by offering promotions and deals to help keep the PlayBook alive in the market and developers interested in creating apps.

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