[luqman24]

Here it is! The much talked about launch of RIM�s 4G LTE-enabled BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is upon us. This tablet was originally announced back at Mobile World Congress in 2011, but subsequently delayed. Over the course of the past number of months there were hints that the tablet existed as leaked images surfaced online. We have been informed that the 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook will be launching via Bell, and probably other Canadian carriers, on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012. According to the internal Bell document we received it shows the price will be $549.95 outright.

As for the specs, we have those too: 7-inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4G LTE (and HSPA+), OS 2.0, 1GB RAM, 5MP rear camera that shoots 1080p HD videos, 3MP front-facing camera, 4800 mAh battery and will only come in a 32GB version. Overall dimensions are 130 x 193 x 9.7mm and weighs in at 425 grams.

Was it worth the wait?

Source: http://mobilesyrup.com/2012/07/23/4g...lesyrup.com%29

[howarmat]

yikes that is a huge price increase for not gaining much new

[luqman24]

yikes that is a huge price increase for not gaining much new

And also a smaller battery than the current wifi version is not good considering LTE drains the battery alot faster than wifi.

[luqman24]

Also would've been better if it came in 64GB instead of 32GB.

[howarmat]

yes that is true too. just have to see when kevin and others get their hands on the units

[BBPandy]

GRRR I was planning on buying this. Was expecting at most $399
Did RIM learn NOTHING about their origional PlayBook's price?

People will not want to pay $550 + Tax for a 7" non Apple device!

....also, a SMALLER battery?
atleast it will probably have PB OS 2.1..the release date explains why they said that OS 2.1 will be out by the end of July.

[BaconMunch]

so much for the Q4 roadmap leak...

[9of13]

I expect, while the retail price is 550, that carriers will probably sell this with contract for 200-250.

[BBPandy]

so much for the Q4 roadmap leak...

True....Though this release being ahead of the roadmap, does that mean that maybe other devices on that map will be released ahead of schedule?

[Akuji_ism]

At that price the main competitor for PlayBook 4G is Samsusng Galaxy Tab 7.7. Both them have the same retail price ($550) but Galaxy Tab has better screen (it's larger and has greater resolution), microSD slot to expand storage from 16 Gb to 48 Gb and larger battery (5100 mAh vs. 4800 mAh in PlayBook 4G). New tablet from RIM is better only in terms of supporting LTE and having NFC.

[app_Developer]

I hope they keep this in Canada only.

[FreeJACLive]

Took them long enough! It's been almost a year since I bought two PB wifi's from Telus b/c they were getting rid of them to make room for the 4G tabs.

[FreeJACLive]

I hope they keep this in Canada only.

Why do you say this?

[howarmat]

Why do you say this?

they are pretty much the only place where the PB is selling well.

[luqman24]

I honestly don't see the point in a separate 4G tablet when most smartphones can tether nowadays unless it's for work. I myself am fine with my wifi version and have no plan to purchase a 4G version when I can already tether when away from home and can't find a wifi hotspot.

[Detective M Downs]

I'm just hoping for an OS update!

[slalom]

I honestly don't see the point in a separate 4G tablet when most smartphones can tether nowadays unless it's for work. I myself am fine with my wifi version and have no plan to purchase a 4G version when I can already tether when away from home and can't find a wifi hotspot.

....unless you are on AT&T and tethering, hotspot, etc., all include additional subscriptions

[papped]

A lot of people have no problem signing their life away for a 2nd contract, doubling the carrier income roughly...

That's why they still release 3g/4g devices.

Also hotspot murders your phone battery like crazy, so it's not exactly the same.

[ubeda92]

....unless you are on AT&T and tethering, hotspot, etc., all include additional subscriptions

.

As a T-Mobile customer, I was so happy that AT&T was forced to keep its paws off T-Mobile-USA.

I have an unlimited (5 Gb, then throttling) data plan which works fine with the PBs tethering feature

[bungaboy]

they are pretty much the only place where the PB is selling well.

"The PlayBook is a relatively popular tablet in Canada, accounting for nearly 20% of the tablet market in Research In Motion's home country in a report released on July 2012."

Good thing for us . . . .

[bungaboy]

I honestly don't see the point in a separate 4G tablet when most smartphones can tether nowadays unless it's for work. I myself am fine with my wifi version and have no plan to purchase a 4G version when I can already tether when away from home and can't find a wifi hotspot.

Me too.

I can't see a big market for these or any 3G/4G/LTE versions of a tablet unless it is Government spending somebody else's money.

Good luck.

The positive I will take away from this is . . . . . they delivered!

[leedium]

...yawn, fix the OS and sketchy browser first. Only so much lipstick you can put on this pig of a browser. $550 is way too much for the amount of bugs on this device, not to mention no real hardware upgrade, and no Skype yet. What is management smoking? I thought the stuff here in Amsterdam was the bomb, but the dudes at RIM must have some real good ish!!!!

[cgk]

$549? No... Really?

Sent from my Lumia 800 using Board Express

[mandony]

32g for CAN$549 sounds like before carrier rebate for 2 year contract
In the US the 32G standard price from Best Buy and Radio Shack is US$250

Likely we will soon receive a PB OS upgrade on the current model.
New DM will also be released with 4G. Beta DM already includes it.

It is a smart idea for RIM to release the 4G at this time to re-stimulate interest by the Press. At this time the Press ignores the PB when doing reviews. There are many potential PB buyers who do not have 4G tether on their phones.
Currently 4G tether is much slower then true 4G since the phone connection to PB is restricted by bluetooth speed

[OniBerry]

After the carrier sub, it should drop to 199 or something.