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TELUS making way for 3G BlackBerry PlayBook, puts WiFi version on EOL list

By Bla1ze on 3 Feb 2012 12:16 pm
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in case you were still wondering why TELUS is blowing out their inventory of the BlackBerry PlayBook for lower then normal sale pricing, then the above image should clear things up. With the 3G enabled BlackBerry PlayBook rumored to be launching soon, getting rid of their WiFi-only stock at this point is reasonable and as such they've gone ahead and put those versions on their end-of-life list. If you're still looking to get a BlackBerry PlayBook on the cheap, TELUS is the best bet right as they have 16GB and 32GB on sale for $150.

Source: Mobile Syrup

Topics: Telus BlackBerry Playbook News & Rumors

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Bla1ze Bla1ze 2977 (articles) 6600 (forum posts)
53 comments

shebmiller

3G Playbook?

Why is my inside source at Bell telling me it's 4G??

Joe257

Bell probably refers to HSPA+ as 4G. It's not likely to be LTE, so RIM is saying 3G.

monotok

It is 42mbps download, isn't that LTE speed? I'm sure the bold is HSPA+ and is like 14mbps?

sonyvaio182

I phoned and went to 20 different stores in Guelph/kitchener area and eachstore gave me the run around! "Sold out" "we won't match that becuase RIM is sueing telus" blah blah blah and all the losers stood at the front doors of every Telus and when the doors opened this morning they bought everyone! That's so unfair! Expect to see them on kijiji for marked up price trying to rip people off! Curse you people for being suck pricks! I guess If I didn't work night shift last night I would have waited for the stores to open aswell BUT and this is a big BUT I would have only bought ONE! That's the end of my rant. Thanks crackberry for getting a hold of this info but most of blackberry nation won't be able to take advantage of it, thanks to the actions of a slect few of LOSERS!

Joe257

That was pretty obvious based on how it was being played out.

Why would Telus "dump" their stock of PlayBooks? 3G PlayBooks coming soon! Woohoo!!!

Personally, I'm happy not to have to pay for an additional 3G connection thanks to bridging and WiFi hotspot in 7.1, but some folks without BlackBerrys would love to have a standalone 3G PlayBook. Hope RIM has updated the specs to 1.5 GHz dual core CPU and 2 GB RAM :)

lang007

Okay now what about all of us the have the current PB. Will there be any trade up option to get the 3g PB?

Bla1ze

Why would there be? You bought a WiFi version knowing it was a WiFi version. That's like asking to trade your 2011 car in because a new one came out in 2012 with the same name and better specs.

lang007

But you do get something for that car when you trade it in

lang007

It was just a thought. I would like to have the 3g version anyway

Bla1ze

Technically speaking, you already have one when bridged.

lang007

You are correct and getting a 3g PB just will cost you more money to the carriers

The_Adventist

There is another way to look at it...

If you get a 3G/4G PlayBook and buy the ePhone app ($30 a year I beleive) , you could (in theory) dump your cell phone and, using a bluetooth headset, use the PlayBook as your phone.

Not the most ideal way of having a phone but it is cheaper.

NFLPLAYBOOK

That would be cool but I haven't seen anything that says it will have a voice modem.

Cazurela

Is a VOIP solution for the PB, henche you could call via VOIP and not need the voice modem. That's the whole point of it.

def1014

That's OK. I will pass. I think I learnt my lesson. I will wait for them to get slashed (BIG) before making my purchase this time. Besides, I don't think I want to pay another data contract. Does that mean that the Bridge idea is dead moving forward?

def1014

I could not agree more. I am still waiting for native e-mail, Calendar, BBM, etc.

soren203

End of life? os 2 hasnt even come out yet, Playbook life hasnt even started yet!

feldmen01

Yes, but you have to remember, phone carriers can subsidize 3g models with attached data plans. There is no incentive for a wi-fi only version.

Joe257

The PlayBook is end of life for Telus, as they're a carrier -- they would rather sell their 3G/4G services with a 3G PlayBook.

My PlayBook is still quite useful to me the way it was designed with WiFi and bridging options with my BlackBerry. Even those without BlackBerrys (Androids or iPhones) can leverage their WiFi hotspot features to provide Internet services to their PlayBooks.

There is nothing wrong with the PlayBook I have because I don't think it is worthwhile for me to buy a separate 3G/4G service for my PlayBook.

Bla1ze

Exactly.. no money for a carrier to be made on a wifi version.

lang007

That is a very good point. No need to kick out more money to the carriers

AfroLoGeek

+1 no worth buying another data plan for playbook;wifi is just fine and OS2 is now on the road

derrickps3

wifi is everywhere, so it isn't a problem to me.....also i have a bb phone as well, i can browse on my 3g connection if i want to check something out. the 3g playbook will be convient for those who dont have a phone yet or a wifi hotspot in their area

Clinto

I keep calling from the U.S. up to Canada to get my hands on one, but all the reps keep saying they are out of stock and will not ship one to me. I tried to order from their internet site, but it only tells me to "find a store" and won't allow me to just order one.
Very frustrating... Anyone got any ideas on how I can get my dirty American hands on one??

SuperGenius

Good luck. They're virtually out of stock to begin with, so finding one will be a tall order.

goldsparkles

I just ordered a 64g playbook from shop blackberry for $299.
Did you look there? Expected delivery is Monday Feb 6. Fast.

HofstraJet

Instead of buying a new PlayBook, buy a new BB that will run 7.1 and just use mobile hotspot for your current PB when wifi and tethering isn't available.

dandbj13

Everyone knows wifi pads are more popular than 3G. This store obviously couldn't move the PB and has to blow them out with a fire sale. Why would they want to restock with an even less popular model?

Skeevecr

That was answered earlier in the comments, the carriers want to sell the data plan.

dandbj13

They can only sell data plans on devices people actually want to buy.

BBPandy

Then why are they all sold out?

I have been calling all over the place looking for one...everyone is sold out :(

mikeplus1

Other sellers will be following this inventory clearance soon.

gorang

Somehow I can see native bbm on 3G playbooks, it would makes sense now more than ever

def1014

Will it be unified with the same on the phone is the real issue. Who wants to maintain two seperate contact lists?

Blackberry_boffin

It means the OS tweaks required for QNX to support radio use are (nearly) ready,which bodes well for BB10. I just wonder how far RIM has gone with other issues that QNX needs to do to be a competent phone OS e.g. vibrating, using the LED, BBM integration, and notifications.
I am curious to see how the so-called issue of dual PINs for one blackberry ID in BBM have been done.

canuckvoip

Think it is just Telus EOL? or RIM EOL? Or both?
BTW... it's "lower THAN normal"... not "then"

elusivest

Telus had no stock, was probably just a publicity stunt. At their main store in London (Canada) they (said) had 1 piece at discounted price. I can't even find the 64gb for $300. Also Blacks advertises $150 for 32gb but of course is sold out. Try your luck at Blacks stores.

BBPandy

OK I got a 32GB Playbook to go with my 16GB :)
How did I do it?....The big box stores will pricematch ;)

So Just print out the Telus page and then take it to your local. Bestbuy, Futureshop, Staples, ect.
I got mine @ London Drugs :)

bitek

"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.

According to the news release, RIM’s new releases, intended for the latter half of 2011, “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 Blackberry PlayBook family will include four offerings: BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi, BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + WiMax,BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + LTE, BlackBerry 4G PlayBook with Wi-Fi + HSPA.

RIM maintains one competitive edge; Apple’s i-Pad is not yet available for fourth-generation networks. Many companies do not yet support the operating systems used by Apple or Android, which may also give the PlayBook an edge- at least initially.

Anitsetapetamine

This is a SCAM.. typical Telus CRAP... no one in Western Canada has them and the so called stores cannot ORDER them...
Hope the CEO chokes on a Playbook

BBPandy

Go to this thread in the forum to learn how to get them
http://bit.ly/zLGgo6

joelab

I ordered mine online through "team webstore" if anyone has a friend at telus. Same price no additional discount or anything, but didn't have to leave my desk..

Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes

No one in kitchener,waterloo,cambridge,brantford or even hamilton has one. I went to the sunrise centre futureshop in kitchener to get a price match but they won't do it unless I can find someone locally that has stock...

gorang

I live I KW, had to order through a store, they don't have them in stock at stores so its supposed to arrive on wednesday

adamschuetze

I live in Victoria BC, and there was no stock in any of the Telus stores. But, I printed out the web page and went to Walmart. They have a price match policy. I got the last 32 GB PlayBook they had in stock for $150, and there's one 64 GB left. But I bet other WalMarts will do the same thing, if you're having trouble getting stock at Telus vendors.

just_luc

There is a very important distinction here.. TELUS has deemed the playbook EOL status, not RIM.

Someone else has said this, but it needs repeating. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THIS VERSION OF THE PLAYBOOK IS BEING DISCONTINUED. Telus is a carrier, they are choosing to only sell the 3G version going forward because they make money on the data plan. Other carrier stores will probably follow suit but the current wifi only version has not been discontinued by RIM and will continue to be available at your best buy's and future shops and any other electronics store versus carrier stores.

This is a deicision by a wireless carrier to drop a product that they really shouldnt have been selling in the first place, it is in no way a statement on the future of the playbook or on RIM.

/end rant

P.S. My local future shop was too lazy to check stock so I got them to price match 2 32GB's for 149!!

Duc-Tri

omg 2x32gb for 149 -.- hate you :P

Blkacesvf41

Of course engadget is making it sound like the PB is discontinued all together.

lipoth

Just got the last one on order with one of the Telus dealers in town this morning for my sister.

This 3G ordeal is funny to me:

After having our 3rd child my wife and I watched TV recordings from our Mythtv server via Mythweb (right out of the browser). The 3G reception was terrible in the hospital, but I was able to put my phone by the window and transfer data via the bridge. If we had ONLY a 3G playbook, we would not have had enough signal to make this possible!

rexxenex

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/all-playbooks-go-to-heaven-rims-table...

stupid engadget.....

abwan11

any ideas on the total numbers sold since the sales began in late november?

using rims last quarter inventory right down of 470 million (associated to the playbook) divided by 270 (average cost to produce) totals approx 1.7 million units. but from what im seeing and hearing (and hoping) is that number must be much bigger.

i bought the last 4 in stock the first day they went on sale in late november and every retailer around me was sold out in 3 days. its been 2 months since that and the clammering to get one hasnt stopped.

i'm thinking the sales for this quarter are going to surprise big to the upside maybe 2.5 to 3.5 million.

anyone have any insight?

the ultimate kicker would be outselling the kindle fire which has about 6 million sold.

nothing would make me happier ..to see rim be the next most popular tablet

Strider2112

Lol, the Telus Sale didn't last long