PlayBook announced in LTE and HSPA flavours.

[DivideBYZero]

Choose from four varieties!

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+

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/rim-playbook-tablet-now-in-delicious-lte-and-hspa-flavors/

 

[KDOG]

Droolage....

 

[pm]

I thought this was interesting - heavily chopped:

...[snip]RIM expects to price that BlackBerry tablet at less than $500 (WiFi-only model, presumably) -- much less with any carrier subsidies.... [snip]he did confirm that RIM's new tablet was on track for a March or April release.

So base price around $500, release in a month or two.

 

[tdawg]

I'm very interested in the Wifi-only Playbook. Figure if I need access on the go, I'll just hook up to my phone via a free android tethering app.

 

[tokie]

I don't get why people need any modem on a mobile device other than a phone. Can't people just Bluetooth/WiFi tether to their phone and use their existing data plan?

 

[TheStu]

I don't get why people need any modem on a mobile device other than a phone. Can't people just Bluetooth/WiFi tether to their phone and use their existing data plan?

Think PlayBook/iPad/Xoom/TouchPad/whatever + dumbphone.

Or rather than carrying two devices to the beach or the park or the where ever you just take your 3G enabled tablet with you.

There is also the issue that on Verizon, you cannot use data and voice at the same time currently.

With regards to the 4 different versions, wouldn't it have been a little easier if they had used a multi-band radio? Or does one not exist that does LTE/WiMax/HSPA?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

ive been disappointed with every blackberry product ive had in the last few years. blackberrys have the worse 3g reception of any phone and the worst hardware/software on top of it. if this were to be better than the android pads i would be really surprised. if rim were capable of making a tablet that was as good or better than the android tabs, they wouldnt have phones that sucked so bad. and then you have to take into consideration that the playbook wont have any apps, if you care about that. yeah i know it will run android apps but probably not as well and in that case why not just go ahead and get an android tab.

also, honestly, would any of you be willing to pay another $40 bill every month for a tablet that has really minimal functionality over your smartphone. i dont think i would

 

[sjwaste]

Interesting. Waiting for a review of a production model. I'd be interested in a Wifi model, but it's going to be very hard to convince me that a Nook Color with Honeycomb isn't a 90% solution at half the price.

 

[trmiv]

I really want to know about this rumored ability to run Android apps on this thing. If that is true, they may have a winner on their hands. If not, it's going to be questionable without really good App support.

 

[tdawg]

The best part about the Playbook is the fact that the browser is a full-fledged desktop browser, with no mobile limitations, so you should be able to use it to access Hulu and Netflix sans any specific "app". With a full browser, the need for specialized apps is less important.

I can't wait until these hit the market so we can get a final review and possibly some hands-on time with the thing (I need to know how it works without owning a blackberry too).

 

[Imp]

I understand Wi-Fi and 4G. What the hell are the other 3?

I'll just pick up a Wi-fi version. I'll get a Blackberry if I'm that desperate to have super portable internet.

 

[Deeko]

I understand Wi-Fi and 4G. What the hell are the other 3?

I'll just pick up a Wi-fi version. I'll get a Blackberry if I'm that desperate to have super portable internet.

HSPA+ is T-Mobile's "4G" technology, WiMax is Sprint's, LTE is Verizon's.

 

[DivideBYZero]

ive been disappointed with every blackberry product ive had in the last few years. blackberrys have the worse 3g reception of any phone and the worst hardware/software on top of it. if this were to be better than the android pads i would be really surprised. if rim were capable of making a tablet that was as good or better than the android tabs, they wouldnt have phones that sucked so bad. and then you have to take into consideration that the playbook wont have any apps, if you care about that. yeah i know it will run android apps but probably not as well and in that case why not just go ahead and get an android tab.

also, honestly, would any of you be willing to pay another $40 bill every month for a tablet that has really minimal functionality over your smartphone. i dont think i would

Trolling? Why for fucks sake? If you hate them so much buy something better than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y49l0J6VUqk

Yeah, I won't hold my breath and nobody will miss you.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Great video of the PB running some TAT created apps and driving a TV in stereoscopic 3D. Very impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZ9iNKw4No

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Great video of the PB running some TAT created apps and driving a TV in stereoscopic 3D. Very impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZ9iNKw4No

I think I'm sold. I just hope it launches soon.

 

[Qbah]

Great video of the PB running some TAT created apps and driving a TV in stereoscopic 3D. Very impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZ9iNKw4No

Oh god, it's SOOO smooth and fluid! Incredible! How big is the screen on this thing? Looks kinda small...

EDIT: Nvm, 7" and 1024x600 - no thanks A bit too small for my taste. But the GUI looks really impressive.

 

[finbarqs]

it does look pretty good @ 60fps. But it seems like the screen has a slight delay to the touch. When he's moving back and forth, it looks like it trails a little bit. Better than Android, not quite as smooth as WP7 and iOS. Almost..... But on another note, this is probably the only tablet (and or TouchPad) that interests me.