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BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE hands-on
RIM's attempts to get a cellular-equipped version of the BlackBerry PlayBook have been troubled, to say the least. The company signalled its intentions around Mobile World Congress last February, only to watch as carriers backed off -- partly as RIM focused its attention on LTE, and partly after carriers grew skittish over sales of the WiFi version. A year and a half later, we finally have an LTE version, and with a faster 1.5GHz processor to boot. But do 4G data and a processor bump make all the difference? And does the upgrade stand a realistic shot in a competitive field that has moved on since the original PlayBook? We'll find out in our hands-on. %Gallery-162114%
Leaked Rogers memo details its BlackBerry Playbook 4G LTE pricing options
For a few days now, folks in the Great White North tied to Telus and Bell have known how much coin they'll have to layout for a BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE when it launches on the 9th. Thanks to leaked memo from Rogers, obtained by MobileSyrup, we now know what the carrier will be charging as well. $550 nets Canadians the slate free of any commitments, while one- and two-year contracts drop that price by $50 and $100 respectively. If you're brave enough to partner up with the OS 2.0.1-loaded, 1.5Ghz slate for three years, it can be yours for a more wallet-friendly $350. Hey, it's not like BB10 is exactly right around the corner.
RIM tips August 9th BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE Canadian release (update: faster, too)
The wait for a quicker PlayBook is nearly over -- for our neighbors to the north, at least. RIM let it be known via the official BlackBerry blog that the followup to its business-minded slate will be hitting "select" Canadian retailers on August 9th. Not convinced that you need the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE in your life? RIM's got four, count 'em four, reasons to pick up the verbose slate -- speed, size, web browsing and movies and TV -- which can be found in moderate detail at the source link below. The tablet features 32GB of storage and OS 2.0.1 pre-loaded -- the aforementioned software is also currently available as a maintenance update for owners of the old fashioned WiFi model. The slightly souped-up PlayBook is hitting Canada first, but will be coming to additional areas including the US, Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America in "coming months." [Thanks, Ruben] Update: As had been hinted before, the 4G PlayBook also ramps up to 1.5GHz from the original 1GHz -- that's a nice leap for customers who wanted more than just a cellular link before leaping in. Update II: Looks like Telus will be first to get it.
