DailyTech - RIM Unveils BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Tablet for Sprint

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Gadgets RIM Unveils BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Tablet for Sprint
Mark Kurlyandchik - January 6, 2011 7:18 AM

5 comment(s) - last by mi1400.. on Jan 9 at 11:53 PM

WiMax-enabled tablet heading for Sprint this summer

By now, we've heard all about Research In Motion's upcoming tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook, as well as the pressure on RIM to make it a successful device, and the alleged battery and OS issues that have marred its pre-release reputation. What we didn't know was that a 4G version of the PlayBook is heading Sprint's way.

Sprint made the news official today, in an early morning press release that said the 4G model "will be the first BlackBerry PlayBook model to include wide area wireless connectivity."

"Together with Sprint, we are now building on that performance advantage with 4G and providing an unparalleled mobile experience for users," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion, in the press release.

While no pricing for the device was given, the new model is expected to hit Sprint this summer. And while it is a different iteration, it will bear most of the same specs as the non-4G PlayBook: a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB RAM, the new BlackBerry Tablet OS (based on QNX); and support for Adobe Flash 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, and HTML-5.

Sprint's burgeoning 4G WiMax network is currently available in 71 markets across the country, including the most recent addition of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Price?

By quiksilvr on 1/6/2011 9:27:26 AM , Rating: 2

I'm interested to see where this would be in comparison to the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Also, will they make a WiFi only model?

RE: Price?

By rileychris on 1/6/2011 10:03:10 AM , Rating: 2

I heard 4G is a huge strain on battery life. I wonder how that plays into the battery issues heard.

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RE: Price?

By Jedi2155 on 1/6/2011 12:37:09 PM , Rating: 2

I believe the main strain in 4G service is the constant switching between 3G and 4G bands. If it is 4G only the battery life isn't that much worse than a pure 3G device. This is coming from personal experience with a Spring Epic 4G device.

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RE: Price?

By ThusenthD on 1/6/2011 2:38:42 PM , Rating: 2

The initial Playbook that will be launch in Q1 will be WiFi only with the ability to tether via BlackBerry for cellular data connections.

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Wimax radio only 2.5Ghz band capable or 3.5GHz-3.7GHz capable

By mi1400 on 1/9/2011 11:53:58 PM , Rating: 2

Not only "4G WiMax network is currently available in 71 markets across the country"
but is available in dozens of COUNTRIES. Some have deployed Wimax more wastly than possibly US itself. But most of that is deployed usimg 3.5-GHz Wimax band. "HTC Max 4G" was first and currently on GSM/Wimax dual mode capable but that too has 2.5Ghz Wimax radio. I wish if RIM couls not only make PlayBook Wimax capable but also 2.5GHz to 3.7GHz band capable, not just 2.5GHz. Since Playbook will not be having GSM, because of Pairing with Phone, RIM if also could do favour of releasing BB phones with GSM/Wimax combo.