[Rumor] PlayBook 4G out by July

[LoganSix]

The PlayBook will have the cell option by this summer. It is looking to be 4G LTE.

PlayBook OS2 still will be released next month.


At least, that's what the RIM sales people are going told.

[Knightcrawler]

i was under the impression the spring/summer launch was for a 3g model with LTE coming in december.

do you have anything to corroborate this claim?

[BBThemes]

Originally Posted by Knightcrawler

i was under the impression the spring/summer launch was for a 3g model with LTE coming in december.

do you have anything to corroborate this claim?

thats the more obvious route, as one would imagine a 4G playbook would mean a 4G BB10 device would also be available, as youd think it would be the same chipset used.

[LoganSix]

It was a long meeting and we threw around a bunch of things, so now I am questioning my memory.

But, the question was where or not HSPA+ would be an option and the response was that it would be LTE, but since it was done for LTE then HSPA+ could always be done as well. Whether it was going to be 3G or 4G, that's a little hazy in my brain right now, because I was paying more attention to the LTE/HSPA+ discussion and less of whether he said 3G or 4G. Sorry about that.

He said it would be available in the May/June time frame, so to give BB some padding, I'll say it will be out by July. So, roll out of PB OS2 then Mobile Fusion then LTE PB then the BB 10 phones.

On a side note, NFC for the Torch is a matter of software, not hardware, so it is possible that it could also be turned on.

[alnamvet68]

Big mistake if you ask me...wi-fi only tablets outsell their wireless broadband variants 3:1. The number of consumers willing to shell out extra money for a separate data plan and a 2 year contract just isn't there, unless, of course, the devices are sold unlocked and at a price not too much higher then a wi-fi model.

[LoganSix]

Originally Posted by alnamvet68

Big mistake if you ask me...wi-fi only tablets outsell their wireless broadband variants 3:1.

Nothing was stated that wi-fi only would no longer be made. In fact, the guy seemed to be under the same impression as I am, that the PlayBook is just an "accessory" to the BB phone. He also mentioned that the new CEO understood that marketing was a major failure in the past. From the discussion, it seemed that focusing on fixing the marketing problem was a top goal, since the OS 2 and BB 10 updates are already in the works.

I wish I had more time to talk to him, but we only had an hour for the meeting.

[alnamvet68]

Originally Posted by LoganSix

Nothing was stated that wi-fi only would no longer be made. In fact, the guy seemed to be under the same impression as I am, that the PlayBook is just an "accessory" to the BB phone.

Interesting....if that's the case, then is it just the PB that is an "accessory", or are all tablets considered and accessory?

[Hush9300]

If the PlayBook is merely being seen as an accessory to Blackberry phones then might as well just dump it and not waste further resources on it.

Seems like a silly statement to make.

[greatwiseone]

Well, if you recall Mike L calling the car the "ultimate blackberry accessory", and so I don't think he means accessory the way cases and charger stands are. What he really is saying is that it's a companion device to the BlackBerry and you really get the most of the PB using a BlackBerry. The new BB remote control of the PB is one example. Same with the bridging function.

[Thunderbuck]

Originally Posted by alnamvet68

Big mistake if you ask me...wi-fi only tablets outsell their wireless broadband variants 3:1. The number of consumers willing to shell out extra money for a separate data plan and a 2 year contract just isn't there, unless, of course, the devices are sold unlocked and at a price not too much higher then a wi-fi model.

Agreed, but I have a feeling there may be some vertical applications where enterprise customers have asked for it. That MIGHT be enough to justify it...

[LoganSix]

Originally Posted by greatwiseone

What he really is saying is that it's a companion device to the BlackBerry and you really get the most of the PB using a BlackBerry. The new BB remote control of the PB is one example. Same with the bridging function.

I'm glad you understand.

[world traveler and former ceo]

Can't wait for the exciting new releases from RIM! .. Starting with Playbook 2.0 very very sooooooon!!!!

[phonegeek]

My understanding is the next PB will be HSPA+ and 42mbps capable making it compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile's HSPA network.

LTE chips IMO are still to power hungry to be good for a high end tablet.


PG

[d-backs1]

I think they would be smarter releasing a wifi version. If anything look at market research and see people don't want another data plan.

[Rgainsmi]

I think CrackBerry Kevin will be offered at job at Rim in relation to Marketing / Comunications.