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Press Release: RIM Announces Two Additional BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Models For LTE and HSPA+ Networks

by Kevin Michaluk on 14 Feb 2011 02:00 AM
23
 

BlackBerry PlayBook 4G

Mobile World Congress 2011 is now here and to kick off the show RIM has made a number of announcements, the biggest one being the addition of two more BlackBerry PlayBooks to RIM's tablet family. Joining the already-announced WiFi PlayBook and WiFi + WiMax PlayBook (Sprint 4G), today RIM has announced that LTE and HSPA+ versions of the PlayBook are on the way too. There's no specific word on carriers, or pricing or launch date, but ya know... at least we know they're coming and likely to a carrier near you. Hopefully the wait won't be too long! Keep reading for the full press release.

Press Release

RIM Announces Two Additional BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Models For LTE and HSPA+ Networks

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, SPAIN--(Marketwire - Feb. 14, 2011) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced plans to launch two additional BlackBerry® 4G PlayBook tablets during the second half of 2011, featuring support for LTE and HSPA+ high speed wide area wireless networks.

"The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is already being widely recognized for its superior performance, rich web experience, enterprise readiness and deep support for web standards and open development tools. We are now building on the BlackBerry PlayBook's many advantages with support for additional 4G networks that will allow enhanced business opportunities for carriers and developers and unparalleled mobile experiences for users," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.

RIM's family of upcoming BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablets will deliver professional-grade, consumer-friendly experiences that redefine the possibilities of mobile computing. These innovative tablets will each provide users with an ultra-portable design featuring industry leading performance with real-time multitasking and symmetrical multiprocessing, uncompromised high-fidelity web browsing including support for Adobe® Flash and stunning HD multimedia, as well as advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

The combination of premium hardware features and design powered by the new and highly acclaimed BlackBerry® Tablet OS and open development tools, along with support for carriers' high speed 4G networks, will provide a high performance platform that enables a mobile services revolution.

RIM has now announced plans to offer four BlackBerry PlayBook tablets:

1. BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi
2. BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + WiMax
3. BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + LTE
4. BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + HSPA+

In addition to the Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity referenced above, each tablet can also support:

1. Bluetooth tethering
2. Mobile hotspots (ie. a MiFi, smartphone or other portable device equipped to act as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot)
3. BlackBerry Bridge


About Research In Motion
Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Filed Under: News & Rumors; Tags: BlackBerry Playbook, BlackBerry PlayBook 4G, Mobile World Congress 2011, MWC 2011
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23 Comments

Posted by captainbdsc Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

Some T-Mobile HSPA+ 21Mbs please! :)

Great to know they are covering everyone!

 
 
Posted by Kuttysark Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

This is sweet. I just wish official pricing and whether tethering will be like Tether berry so you can use your phones data plan was out announced too.

 
 
Posted by vbev84 Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

I really was hoping for an offical annoucement at MWC, but I like all the news about it....

 
 
Posted by WickedRabbit Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

@Kuttysark

As for the tethering, that's actually on the official BlackBerry page and I believe might have been mentioned at CES. But, if you scroll down a little (http://us.blackberry.com/playbook-tablet/), it actually says using your 3G blackberry to access the internet. So, there you go.

 
 
Posted by jlb21 Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

yeah, but we just don't know yet how the carriers are going to handle it.

Will it be employed by RIM in such a way that the carriers will NOT be able to distinguish the traffic? If so, then we're all good. But if they can distinguish, then they can charge for it as many carriers do now.....

We just don't know yet.

We also, to my understanding, have yet to see a video that shows the bridge connection active at the same time someone is using wifi or tether to get out to the internet.

 
 
Posted by dmann96 Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

At this point there needs to be an announcement of availability. I am glad that they will have a model for this and for that but its starting to get annoying that there seems to be no deadline on their end to actually get the product to market.

 
 
Posted by netposer Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

Why do you even have to say this?
2. Mobile hotspots (ie. a MiFi, smartphone or other portable device equipped to act as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot)

WiFi is WiFi is WiFi or it's not WiFi

 
 
Posted by mnhockeycoach99 Monday, Feb 14, 2011 466 days ago

Please.. enough with the Playbook hype!! Don't get me wrong, I like the Playbook.. I'm just tired of the Playbook hype that RIM is ramming down our throats.. and the LACK of hype about their new BlackBerry handsets for 2011.

 
 
Posted by edyts Monday, Feb 14, 2011 465 days ago

If you see a link about playbook dont click it, problem solved no more hype for you.

 
 
Posted by mnhockeycoach99 Monday, Feb 14, 2011 465 days ago

Geez.. you must be a member of Mensa to have come up with that genius comment. The point that I was trying to get across (which you obviously missed) is that I want to hear less about the Playbook and more about new handsets.

 
 
Posted by edyts Monday, Feb 14, 2011 465 days ago

So stop reading about the playbook, simple as that there are lots of leaked devices coming out that you could CHOOSE to read about instead you CHOSE to come here and complain.

 
 
Posted by dancing-bass Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 465 days ago

(/threadjack)

if only that worked. Then all the people who have nothing better to do then to rag on RIM (as if they could do better) would stop coming. If that happened, CB would return to the positive helpful community it was 2 years ago.

(/end threadjack)

Playbook seems cool, but likely not something I'd purchase. I would also like to see more on the new phones along with a release date for PB. however I'm sure there are good reasons for their current marketing plan. I figure another month of PB stuff before its available to the public, and then leaks/news of other devices will start coming.

 
 
Posted by mnhockeycoach99 Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 465 days ago

edyts and dancing-bass - I guess I'm not sure where you interpreted that I was "complaining" or "ragging on RIM". In the process of dancing-bass incorrectly stating that was ragging on RIM, he/she also confirmed my original comment with the statement "I would also like to see more on the new phones along with a release date for PB"

In my observation, 7 of 10 articles posted on this site lately are related to the Playbook, 2 of 10 are about software and only 1 is a speculation about upcoming handset releases. Keep in mind two things: 1. any information posted about new handsets is just SPECULATION until it is officially released by RIM. 2. the name of this site is crackBERRY not crackBOOK.

Bottom line, handsets are RIM's bread and butter.. and they haven't done a great job of keeping the buzz going. Yes, I understand their marketing strategy with the Playbook.. but I think RIM could do a better job of keeping the buzz going about new handsets (for example, OFFICIAL releases about some new handsets, having some new handsets at CES or MWC, etc.)

 
 
Posted by edyts Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 464 days ago

I there was a true HYPE that was in your face, youd see tons of adds on tvs and websites for the playbook, and stand up displays in stores. You dont see that. The only hype you see is if you follow these tech websites. If you want handheld hype watch a bberry commercial or go look at a display in a store, sorry if the up to the minute news wasnt edited to your needs. By the way a playBOOK, still has the balckBERRY emblem, and is still made by blackBERRY, so if its discussed here on crackBERRY its not really out of context is it. Lamborghinis bread and butter was tractor engines in the begining and look at them now.

 
 
Posted by mnhockeycoach99 Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

edyts - 1. Lamborghini gained his fortune by owning a tractor company (and also a heating and air conditioning company). The cars were nothing more than a product of an extremely wealthy man that had a love of fine cars as a child. Bad example..try again! 2. The Playbook is made by RIM.. not Blackberry (as you incorrectly noted above). 3. So if RIM goes into the business of making toilets and slaps their Berry logo on the lid, it should be covered on the crackberry site as well? 4. Blackberry commercials and store displays are the same old crap. I don't want to hear about the Torch or the 9780 (that apparently AT&T isn't going to carry). 5. I wasn't aware that I'm not entitled to have my own opinion on something. I also wasn't aware that it was against the law to share that opinion. 6. Finally, I guess I'm not sure why you are being such a douche for a rather mild comment I made about liking the Playbook but wanting more "official" information from RIM about the new 2011 handsets.

 
 
Posted by bigbob417 Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 464 days ago

OK, everyone, back to your corners, take a breath, and let's come back out NOT swinging, whaddaya say?

 
 
Posted by edyts Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

OK sounds good to me.

 
 
Posted by edyts Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

Your comment says it all

 
 
Posted by edyts Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

1. Lamborghini gained his fortune by owning a tractor company (and also a heating and air conditioning company). The cars were nothing more than a product of an extremely wealthy man that had a love of fine cars as a child. - Correct thats the point i was trying to make, if handhelds are RIMS bread and butter as you said, they can move on to ANYTHING they want to once they are succesful, playbook included.

2. The Playbook is made by RIM.. not Blackberry (as you incorrectly noted above). - Im sorry i didnt realize blackberry was an independent company, point for you.

3. So if RIM goes into the business of making toilets and slaps their Berry logo on the lid, it should be covered on the crackberry site as well? - We're talking about toilets now? Ok sure, if there was a blackberry toilet, i bet id read about it on this website first, but i probably wouldn't see it in a commercial or a crappy store display.

4. Blackberry commercials and store displays are the same old crap. I don't want to hear about the Torch or the 9780 (that apparently AT&T isn't going to carry). - Well sorry your not happy with your carrier, but is that RIMS fault? Should they make fancier displays in AT&T stores just for you? Oh while they're at it they can tailor the leaks to keep you happy, shit yeah!

5. I wasn't aware that I'm not entitled to have my own opinion on something. I also wasn't aware that it was against the law to share that opinion.- Have your own opinion thats cool, thats what i did before ya started throwing insults.

6. . Finally, I guess I'm not sure why you are being such a douche for a rather mild comment I made about liking the Playbook but wanting more "official" information from RIM about the new 2011 handsets.- Its clear who the douche is.

 
 
Posted by mnhockeycoach99 Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

edyts - I merely made a comment on this post and you left a smarmy snide response to it.. which started this whole exchange (and my subsequent smarmy snide response back to you). What is funny is that I actually like the Playbook and might eventually buy one. I think the Playbook is a natural addition to RIM's BlackBerry line...I just wish they would be more forthcoming with information on their upcoming phones for 2011 (at least the ones that are going to be released in Q1 or Q2). In my view, RIM could have really created some buzz if they would have displayed a few of the new handsets (loaded with OS 6.1) at CES or MWC along with the Playbook. To wrap up this debate, I'm still not clear as to what your issue is and I disagree with most of the points you have made.. but I refuse to continue the back and forth jabs. You have your opinion, I have mine.. and I agree to disagree.

 
 
Posted by edyts Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 464 days ago

agree to disagree, sounds good to me. :)

 
 
Posted by pineapplleroofy Monday, Feb 21, 2011 459 days ago

why Playbook can't make a call, like Samsung Galaxy Tab?
why there is no video secondary camera?

 
 
Posted by dmxking512 Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 338 days ago

Ive now got my 16gb Playbook.

and to be honests im not as impressed as thought i was going to be.

RIM need to pull there finger out of this whole 4G line and get the standard one up to scratch before they even think of throwing mobile data capablitiry at it..

i mean the software has so many loop holes its pathetic.

Internet teitherd i could do a 300mb tablet os Update ( 2 AND A HALF HOURS!!)
Yet i cant get onto app world to get a 30kb application ?!

NO GPS?!!???!?!?!

Sersiously RIM . not even google maps .... Jesus the ipad does that !

And i agree with the above comment by pineapplleroofy

Its bad enough that skype have dropped all blackerry support.

But you would have thought that you might have some sort of IM client at release.

and finaly.

WHY THE HELL , RIM , Is it sooooo difficult to make the proccesss of making tablet applications so difficult ?!

HAVE YOU SEEN THE DEVELOPER GETTINGS STARTED GUIDE?!

APPLE APPS . i made my first one in less than 20 mins!

In that time im still downloading and reading through the RIM proccess.

Way to make it community developed.

And you wonder why 90% of the apps in the app world. are tic tac toe or bubble burst!

Or why people are charging more than 3 dollars for an applicaion " gesture tester"

right so i pay £300 for a tablet , then more money to test i can swipe it.

am thining i should have bought the asus windows 7 tablet.