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4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook
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67 Comments

4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook now available in Canada through Bell, TELUS and Rogers

By Bla1ze on 9 Aug 2012 09:00 am
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With the 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook already having been announced, the time has come for the the device to be released. Starting today Bell, TELUS and Rogers have begun offering the 4G LTE version which gets spec upgrade from that of the Wi-Fi only version.

  • 1.5 GHz dual core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • USB: Micro USB port
  • HDMI: Micro HDMI port
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
  • LTE (700, 1700 MHz), HSPA+ (2100, 1900, 1700, 800, 900 MHz)
  • 7" LCD display, 1024x600 screen resolution
  • 32GB Storage Capacity
  • 5 MP with 1080p HD and 3x digital zoom / 3 MP front facing camera with 1080p HD and 3x digital zoom

All carriers signed on for release have the device available via their website with prices all starting at $550 outright. TELUS decided to not offer any contract pricing while Bell and Rogers offer a reduction of pricing to $350, should you go with a new three-year contract. Rogers is also offering the device on one and two-year contracts, with one-year costing $500 and two-year set at $450. Picking one up? Sound off in the comments.

Source: Bell, TELUS, Rogers

Topics: Bell Rogers Telus BlackBerry Playbook 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook News & Rumors

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Bla1ze Bla1ze 2974 (articles) 6568 (forum posts)
67 comments

paviktor

very expensive

sk8er_tor

You want them to lose money on it?

paviktor

I do not see any reason to buy it.

sk8er_tor

It's not for everyone. That's why Apple iPad sells way more WiFi devices than 3G devices.

kennyiceberry

16G is enough for me! So long as the OS updates keep coming.

lawguyman

RIM thinks Canadians will buy it simply because it is from a Canadian company.

If it comes to the US, it will be cheaper.

BruvvaPete

You're so wrong about the reason it's being released in Canada first. Had they released it in Europe what would you have said?

lawguyman

There is a reason it was released first in Canada. What is it?

If it was released first in Europe I wouldn't have said what I said but it was released first in Canada, not Europe.

kifac

Heading to work right now in 30 min. Gonna check out and see if we actually received them. Inventory says we dont have them. Have a feeling well get them in later today.

I own 2 playbooks but to be honest, the pricing just sucks. You can grab the LTE Galaxy Tab 8.9 for 199.99 on 3 year contract.

edyb

I agree... I love my 2 playbooks (Wifi only) which were $199. But there is no way the Playbook 4G at $350 can compete with Samsung's Tablet at $199 on 3-year contract.

I feel like this is a corporate-user offering. No regular private consumer is going to pay that kind of money for the extra security features.

Besides, a private consumer can just bridge to their phone or use the hotspot feature (like I do) since I have a Torch 9810.

-------------

And to mention... Someone said before, the carriers are probably setting the prices more than RIM is. So I believe they are trying to squeeze out as much profit from the corporate buyers, and don't expect too many sales to consumers which is why they have no reason to price it low to compete. Corporate users will still buy it, and the carriers can make lots of profit.

It's the "cost-sales" profit curve... Yes, you lower the price but probably not increase the amount of sales significantly. At that price, the corporations will still buy it.... And any that rely on RIM technology or specific secure apps will do so. Consumers will not touch this tablet and so there will be NO significant increase in sales with lowered prices.... Until maybe the price drops down to the low $200's with a 3-year contract (remember the carrier can subsidize these, so they don't mind pricing it even LOWER than the Wifi-only version, because they can get you later on the 3-year contract fees anyways since they pad those to pay for the device over 3 years... That's how they offer you a Blackberry phone for free also)!

ike1973

I love my playbook, but that's almost 3 times what I paid for my 16GB wifi only version. I don't see this launch going well.

Bla1ze

I don't think it was ever intended to "go well", RIM is just fufilling their promise here.

lchampagnie

Better hardware than the new IPAD for half the price, seems reasonable to me if not cheap cheap cheap.

Splange

But it's a 7 inch tablet. It's supposed to be cheaper if it plans to sell at all. Lookat the prices for the kindle fire or nexus 7.

Also, I may be wrong but I don't think it's half the price of the ipad.

lchampagnie

I maybe mistaken but last time I checked the kindle fire or nexus 7 does not have 2 HD cameras, are not available in HDD sizes larger than 16GIG, or has dual microphones.

The Nexus 7 has a better CPU (Quad-core Tegra 3 processor) but I’m not sure how many apps can actually use that.

Also if you opt to get the New Ipad at 32GIG on say ATT or Verizon here in the states on or off contract your paying $729.00

Half of which is $364.50, which is about the price on TELUS for a 3 year contract @ $350.00

In my opinion better hardware at about half the price.

Why I say Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

edyb

I agree, let's not compare to the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7. Let's compare to the Samsung Galaxy Tablet... $199 on contract.

Even if Playbook has better hardware than Samsung, you cannot expect it to be that much more. I mean, $350 versus $200 is a big jump up.

I think the pricing is definitely a CARRIER-controlled issue and they are sabotaging RIM here. They look to be going after corporate markets, and RIM cannot piss off the carriers which they need.

Apple on the other hand, can dictate whatever they want to Carriers and the carriers will bend over backwards due to the market demand. RIM doesn't seem to have as much influence here it looks. So carriers just want to profit as much as possible.... They may not even want to sell it, and only doing it because of the high margin they can expect.

-----

What I am afraid of here is that when the BB10 phone comes out, that it will be priced so out-of-the-ballpark that it will discourage people from even trying it.

If the BB10 is much more than an iPhone 5, it may not move due to the much higher and proven market demand for the iPhone and the longer time the platform has had. Also, consider the number of fairly nice Android phones out there also under $200, not to mention Windows 8, we need to see BB10 priced aggressively if RIM is going to claw it's way back and convert people.

As innovative and cool as BB10 will be, the majority of people are only willing to pay so much for a phone that they will have for a couple of years. So if it is not an absolute hit or killer product, I am worried that people may adopt other handsets.

RIM should hopefully be able to "wrangle" up their carriers and make sure that the BB10 handsets are going to be ultra-competitive. I really want to see people being impressed not only with the quality of the BB10 phone, but also that they don't have to fork out an arm-and-a-leg for it!

cblguy

Just to add, market the BB10 as a re-introductory product and get it into people's hands again. Then charge them thru the nose for the new BB11!!!

paviktor

No programs, no BB OS 10, OS, and a terrible design overpricing. What was RIM thinking?

Rootbrian

Stop hating. Carriers set the price, not research in motion. It's a beautiful device and design, super powerful.

Ronzdaname

Now that this version of PB has been released...when will OS 2.1 become available for the WiFi only version?

That is, if it is loaded on the 4G/4G LTE units out of the box.

Paintedeyes

i like the idea of always being connected to the internet, but then again i can just add mobile hotspot to my 9900 and use that "4G" speed for my playbook.

Toodeurep

Save the $$ and stick with the Bridge. Having both makes the 4G PB even less of a need.

mikepraba

I am happy with my 9900 bridged to 64GB playbook. How big of a difference Its gonna be? My 9900 works on HSPA+ well and I save a lot of money for not buying the new LTE palybook.

QC_Al

Go see demo video on N4BB...noticeable to say the least.

jslawell

what happen to the NCF?

Bla1ze

Purely Rumor: North American carriers requested it removed.

NFLPLAYBOOK

Finally. At least Rogers is showing the GPS specs. It has a stand alone and aGPS. Hope it's true. That's what I've been waiting to see. Now let's see how well the mapping system works.

Malechai

$550 or $350 on a 3yr contract? for a 7inch tablet?! are they on drugs?

Bla1ze

HTC Jetstream and Galaxy Tab 8.9 sell for $650. I think that answers the question. Yes, carriers are on drugs.

Toodeurep

Demand drives supply. I prefer to blame the consumer in most cases.

paviktor

What happened to RIM? Why they try to make all use out of date, terrible Flash/Air or dumb android?

QC_Al

BB10 is coming....'nuff said.

Mastajeet

hope they dont make any mediatic buzz around it....
they'll look like stupid people.

Seriously. i dont get it.

i don't understand the 3-4g tablet. i mean we can all tether internet from our cellphone. anyone capable of paying a data plan on a tablet can.

BB_Bmore

You have to first understand that this is geared towards enterprise and not the consumer.

Mastajeet

thanks that is a useful answer. didn't see it that way.

kennytasker

Is there a monthly fee or data usage limits?

QC_Al

Kevin, lets do a side by side...BB PB 4G vs. (new) iPad shall we? Post the PB 4G roasting the iPad, we'll all "like" it on FB and retweet it and (hopefully) have it go viral.

BB by choice!!!!

q649

I'm more interested in seeing a comparison between the 1GHz PB and the 1.5GHz PB (browser speed, App startup time, etc).

Bla1ze

It's coming, along with a review and everything else. :)

BB_Bmore

You can see that on a few websites and ill tell you that there is a noticeable difference in speed for sure.

kuru_s

It looks like it has the right bands, and is this considered penta-band?

Bla1ze

It lacks 850.

GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) / 3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz) / HSPA+ 21

Dunno how relative that would be, depends on coverage in your area I suppose.

Bobert_123

Coming soon section: 4g LTE

BB_Bmore

Must be nice being Canadian...Health care for all citizens and now a 4G Playbook...Obama you suck. :(

BruvvaPete

I think Obama did his part. Blame the Republicans for trying to stop it. At least he got a lot more people covered than had been before (ps. You're welcome to move here) :). Go to the doctor, present your Care Care. Handle your business, then leave. No paperwork. Just saying.

Ronzdaname

I agree with you 100%. Although this is not a political forum, people are blaming the wrong one for that issue. It's the Republicans who are blocking things just to get him out of office so that the rich can continue to get richer on the backs of the working class.

But once again...this is not a political forum.

m2k_mz

For a 32Gb PB with 4G i think the price is good.
If you think otherwise then get the 1st PB and bridge it.

Im hoping both will eventually be upgraded to BB10 and thats
whats important.

BB_Bmore

No need to hope here. It's been promised and the hardware can surely handle it. There is no reason this won't happen.

Matt J

My Wi-Fi PlayBook is always connected to the Internet through bridge....

BruvvaPete

People need to quit belly aching about the price of the best tablet on the market. Yeah the app ecosystem is not very large in comparison to Apple or Droid, but give it a rest already.

golden_m

i can understand providers who are on drugs and release such prices out.
but what have you been taking to call PB "THE BEST TABLET ON THE MARKET"?????

xenrobia

I agree completely, if people would take the time to do some comparison shopping, instead of going straight into whine mode, they would see that the 4G LTE PlayBook is actually a pretty good deal. Granted, the discount offered by the Telco's for a contract are not at all competitive, but BlackBerry is not at fault there and people should take that up with those thieving Service Providers. As for myself, I have two data plans that are on a monthly basis (telus and bell). I'll buy the PlayBook out right and then the Telco that kisses my A$$ to my satisfaction will get my business, the other gets turfed. Putting up with a Telco's BS for three years for $200 just isn't worth it and besides, any device that is three years old, be it a phone or a tablet, became a paper weight about a year ago - as in hopelessly out dated.

Rootbrian

Outdated meaning no software updates, unless it's jailbroken/rooted. ;)
Playbook, OS 7/7.1 and BB10 will get updates.

smoothrunnings

Be careful when you buy anything from the carriers because they normally stick you with a "you buy purchase at least 1 month of service from us or we won't sell it to you." then when you get it they want 1 months notice after you receive your first bill so you in for the price of the device plus 2 months service. I know Bell and Rogers does this all their devices to people who walk in off the street to purchase them.

koool1

I would love to buy one just for the performance boost of the new processor. That said tethering works just fine for me for now, so much faster with my 4G 9810 to boot!

Trini-34

When will it be available in the US? Hopefully they can work on that price a bit (the carriers I am reffering too). Especially it they want to lock you in for the next two years or so.

polytope

I'd buy one at the listed price if it had a 1600 x 900 screen with 1.5GB of RAM.

HabsFan9860

..I will be getting one, I already own a 32, and a 16...but I will be getting this one more for its faster CPU than the 4G...as I use my 9860 for that...

BlackBerry Torch 9860 BBOS 7.1
BlackBerry PlayBook O/S 2.xx.xxxx

ovi08

Don't be shocked to see the price drop, especially be Rogers. When the Bold 9900 came out, the price of phone was higher in the first week and it dropped by $50+ in the second week. They do this just so that people who really need this (ie, government and business people) will buy it at that price especially since most businesses pay for their phone services. I expect the price to be $299 or $249 in about two or three weeks.

GeneralHerzog

Well, Rogers has to first get them to the bloody stores.
I called 4 Rogers Plus stores in Calgary and NOT ONE had them yet.

I woke up early for this and now it's lunch time and still no LTE in hand.

Is this yet another wait and wait and wait game with Rogers?...like it was for 7.1?

COME ON!!!!

Mamaluka

I feel bad, I bought a Motorola Xyboard 10.1 a week ago. I just couldn't wait for this to be released in the U.S. Can't wait to read the review though.

haringjuan

Is BBM GROUPS working with this Playbook version? What about Yahoo messenger? What about Skype?

Rootbrian

Skype is microsoft's bitch.
Yahoo, I haven't looked in appworld yet. You could use ebuddy web messenger for that.