RIM launches new PlayBook with 4G

In a move that is destined to fail, RIM unveiled an upgraded version of its BlackBerry PlayBook, one that has 4G data support.

"We're excited to bring customers the first BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with support for 4G LTE networks," said David J. Smith, executive vice president of RIM's Mobile Computing division.

Launching in Canada next week, the device will also come with 32GB of internal storage. International launches, including the U.S., are expected in the coming months.

The company is said to have sold just 1.2 million PlayBooks since its launch in April of last year. That number is also buoyed by the fact that RIM had to slash prices from $500 to $199 to get them off shelves. By comparison, Apple sold 17 million iPads in the last quarter, alone.

RIM's 4G PlayBook will have all the same internals as its predecessor and run on PlayBook OS 2.0. There was no word on price.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Aug 2012 20:26

Drash

Working in a computer/tablets department that sells the existing blackberry playbook I can honestly say that even with the slashed prices nobody wants to buy the playbook. Especially now. If people want an embedded 4G capable tablet they either get the ipad or they go to a carrier store. The people don't really want to use blackberry OS and those that would be ok with it are afraid to purchase a device with the blackberry name on it in fear that in the near future blackberry goes out of business and their device loses any support. They might have a chance if they would stick to the hardware and go with android as an OS, or even the new windows OS. People are more comfortable with names that they know will be around for a while, RIM is not one of those names.

2.8.2012 22:34 #1

biglo30

I have a playbook and after months of giving it the benefit of the doubt I can now honestly say that it was a bad buy for me. It has like literally no support if you ask me. They don't have much apps that people really want to use, Probably about 10 if that. I think thats like the killing factor of the playbook because everyone wants apps. I have yet to use the front facing cam on my device because nobody else has one and there are no apps that uses it. I had it from about 6 months now and the facebook app was never updated and is veryyy buggy, theres no twitter app at all with a couple aftermarket ones in the appworld that doesn't really match up. The reason I bought it was because I thought it would have a better browser but used a galaxy tab GSM which has lower specs (single core and 512 ram) and the browsing experience was much better on it, I was like wtf. The choice of having to try different browsers was pretty good too. I was mad when I found out that all the main apps in the device used adobe air so its not trueeee native apps because the sdk/cascades was not ready in time for the rushed release of the device which was still late. I was really hoping that a device would hack the device so I could enjoy some cyanogen on it because of the next specs but it doesnt even see to attract any devs either so. Im at a lost, they need to focus on software and apps to make the hardware worth buying.

3.8.2012 08:10 #2

Speedmaster

I think that the time has come to stop putting down a great Canadian company!. RIM has the best phone for sending emails!.
This article is not fair. You should not write: In a move that is destined to fail.
I have a Playbook and I love it!. Great OS, fast and an amazing screen. It's time to be positive about RIM!.

3.8.2012 08:41 #3

Bozobub

"The best phone for sending email" won't do you a lot of good, once RIM's proprietary email servers go *pouf*. It's also rather debatable, these days.

3.8.2012 09:40 #4

ChikaraNZ

I've had the misfortune to have to use a BlackBerry for work recently, and it reminded me what a crappy interface it has compared to most other modern smartphones.
Once businesses start migrating away from BB's for corporate email, as they are starting to, that's the end for RIM.
Sinking more money into a different product of theirs nobody wants, is just going to accelerate that.

3.8.2012 09:57 #5

Azuran

Originally posted by Speedmaster: RIM has the best phone for sending emails!.
/golfclap

The entire tech world is waiting for this company to go under.

3.8.2012 19:20 #6

bdaleypsu

Originally posted by Speedmaster: I think that the time has come to stop putting down a great Canadian company!. RIM has the best phone for sending emails!.
This article is not fair. You should not write: In a move that is destined to fail.
I have a Playbook and I love it!. Great OS, fast and an amazing screen. It's time to be positive about RIM!. IT can send emails? LMFAO - you should do standup!

3.8.2012 19:28 #7

kfir1

JUNK JUNK JUNK!!! ...... DIE RIM DIE ..... GO AWAY

3.8.2012 20:24 #8

mumra1st

Originally posted by Drash: Working in a computer/tablets department that sells the existing blackberry playbook I can honestly say that even with the slashed prices nobody wants to buy the playbook. Especially now. If people want an embedded 4G capable tablet they either get the ipad or they go to a carrier store. The people don't really want to use blackberry OS and those that would be ok with it are afraid to purchase a device with the blackberry name on it in fear that in the near future blackberry goes out of business and their device loses any support. They might have a chance if they would stick to the hardware and go with android as an OS, or even the new windows OS. People are more comfortable with names that they know will be around for a while, RIM is not one of those names. Funny thing. In the past several months I have and friends have purchased the Playbook rather than waste three times the amount on a overly large iPad.

3.8.2012 21:57 #9

juventini

RIM is still around?

Forza Juve!!

5.8.2012 12:30 #10

Bozobub

Originally posted by mumra1st: Funny thing. In the past several months I have and friends have purchased the Playbook rather than waste three times the amount on a overly large iPad.
Yet, for just about the same price, you can buy the new Google tablet, and get 5x the capability *shrug*.

5.8.2012 19:56 #11

bdaleypsu

Originally posted by mumra1st: Originally posted by Drash: Working in a computer/tablets department that sells the existing blackberry playbook I can honestly say that even with the slashed prices nobody wants to buy the playbook. Especially now. If people want an embedded 4G capable tablet they either get the ipad or they go to a carrier store. The people don't really want to use blackberry OS and those that would be ok with it are afraid to purchase a device with the blackberry name on it in fear that in the near future blackberry goes out of business and their device loses any support. They might have a chance if they would stick to the hardware and go with android as an OS, or even the new windows OS. People are more comfortable with names that they know will be around for a while, RIM is not one of those names. Funny thing. In the past several months I have and friends have purchased the Playbook rather than waste three times the amount on a overly large iPad. No offense, but you and your friends are not too bright.

Enjoy your brick. But hey, you saved money on it.

5.8.2012 20:15 #12

mumra1st

Originally posted by bdaleypsu: Originally posted by mumra1st: Originally posted by Drash: Working in a computer/tablets department that sells the existing blackberry playbook I can honestly say that even with the slashed prices nobody wants to buy the playbook. Especially now. If people want an embedded 4G capable tablet they either get the ipad or they go to a carrier store. The people don't really want to use blackberry OS and those that would be ok with it are afraid to purchase a device with the blackberry name on it in fear that in the near future blackberry goes out of business and their device loses any support. They might have a chance if they would stick to the hardware and go with android as an OS, or even the new windows OS. People are more comfortable with names that they know will be around for a while, RIM is not one of those names. Funny thing. In the past several months I have and friends have purchased the Playbook rather than waste three times the amount on a overly large iPad. No offense, but you and your friends are not too bright.

Enjoy your brick. But hey, you saved money on it. Of course I won't resort to offensive remarks and personal attacks. The playbook cost us $600 less and does everything we want. Not suckers to every new toy that comes along and proud to support a Canadian industry that still has the best security on the planet. Oh and I heard the analysts aren't impressed with the future of Apple without Steve jobs

5.8.2012 22:07 #13

bdaleypsu

Originally posted by mumra1st: Originally posted by bdaleypsu: Originally posted by mumra1st: Originally posted by Drash: Working in a computer/tablets department that sells the existing blackberry playbook I can honestly say that even with the slashed prices nobody wants to buy the playbook. Especially now. If people want an embedded 4G capable tablet they either get the ipad or they go to a carrier store. The people don't really want to use blackberry OS and those that would be ok with it are afraid to purchase a device with the blackberry name on it in fear that in the near future blackberry goes out of business and their device loses any support. They might have a chance if they would stick to the hardware and go with android as an OS, or even the new windows OS. People are more comfortable with names that they know will be around for a while, RIM is not one of those names. Funny thing. In the past several months I have and friends have purchased the Playbook rather than waste three times the amount on a overly large iPad. No offense, but you and your friends are not too bright.

Enjoy your brick. But hey, you saved money on it. Of course I won't resort to offensive remarks and personal attacks. The playbook cost us $600 less and does everything we want. Not suckers to every new toy that comes along and proud to support a Canadian industry that still has the best security on the planet. Oh and I heard the analysts aren't impressed with the future of Apple without Steve jobs LOL sit back and watch RIM go under. It's already spinning around the bowl.

5.8.2012 22:16 #14

mumra1st

You are obviously not capable of serious discourse. Must be your age or iq

5.8.2012 22:23 #15

bdaleypsu

Originally posted by mumra1st: You are obviously not capable of serious discourse. Must be your age or iq You're the one who thinks RIM will survive. LOL talk about delusional.

5.8.2012 22:24 #16

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