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Topic: BlackBerry

Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

Summary: RIM's PlayBook could be nearing its end this month, at least at Sprint.

Ricardo Bilton

By for The ToyBox |

According to an end-of-life list obtained by SprintFeed, the Wi-Fi model of RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet could be seeing its end in the later part of this month.

While this may seem like it spells doom for the tablet, its only half the story. According to a leaked product roadmap obtained by BGR, RIM's follow-up to the PlayBook is well on its way. While the roadmap seems a bit outdated (it gives the PlayBook 3G a Q1 2013 release, which seems a bit far off) other documents note that the 3G PlayBook will offer a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, near-field communications, and PlayBook OS 2.0. So while some things are up in the air, others seem a bit more concrete.

But here's the question: With no real release date for the next PlayBook announced so far, is Sprint's move to axe the Wi-Fi version of the tablet a bit premature?

Topics: BlackBerry, HTC, Mobile OS, Mobility, Security, Telcos

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17 comments
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  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    Nice planning RIM. That was your outdated device can go up again iPad4.
    lvavila
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

      @lvavila
      What??? Try proof reading your comments!
      Ipad4?
      Ray (Canada)
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

        @Ray (Canada)
        I'm sure lvavila meant iPad4. A release in 2013 might just put the new Playbook up against iPad4 at some point during that year. And good luck competing with iPad3 anyway!
        eastmont
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    RIM keeps making bozo moves, never even matching the market, always trailing it. Wish someone up there would just say STOP & take a top down look & bottom up look at everything. They aren't even adding much for software for the playbook, why even bother with a new model? Will they nail the new model? From past experience I'm thinking again not. I have the Storm 2 & Playbook 64gb. They aren't even pushing developers to even make a Kindle reader, Viigo for Playbook etc. Why even bother to have 3g connection? Most everywhere else is moving to 4g for tablets. This would've been the perfect opportunity to jump right to 4g & skip the 3g issue. The story also said that it won't be out till Q1 2013? How far behind will they be by then? That's like Ford coming out with the Pinto for 2013 with all the bells & whistles of the 70's in tech terms. Wish the shareholders would stage a coup & get the whole company back on the right track.
    Medfordhouse
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

      @Medfordhouse Your Playbook is supposed to be upgraded to 2.0 this Feb, giving you access to 'many' android apps. So far they seem to be on schedule.
      radleym
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    What has Sprint got to do with the WiFi model to start with?
    ChoMlo
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

      @ChoMlo That was my question! And yes, I think it is premature to end whatever WI-FI version they have until the 3G version is ready to go. Leaving a large time gap between the availability of the prior model and the next model simply means customers will choose someone else's product. Once they jump ship, its hard to get them back. Are you paying attention RIM?
      malcolm@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    I didnt even know they still made playbooks?? I have yet to see one in the wild here in Chicago and figured with as bad as it did it had been dropped a year ago.
    Fletchguy
    Reply Vote

  • When BestBuy EOLs it

    then we should take note. A wifi only device has limited value to Sprint, it's basically like selling an accessory, a one-time sale.
    dowlingm
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    someone please help me understand this.....i just purchased a blackberry playbook, and i'm able to go online using my isp [at home and hotspots], which is all i want. i have nothing to do with sprint, nor 3-g, 4-g, or any "g" service. will i still be able to access the internet using my isp, or is blackberry going to change something? please let me know while i still have time to return my blackberry. thanks a lot.
    googie_z
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    someone please help me understand this.....i just purchased a blackberry playbook, and i'm able to go online using my isp [at home and hotspots], which is all i want. i have nothing to do with sprint, nor 3-g, 4-g, or any "g" service. will i still be able to access the internet using my isp, or is blackberry going to change something? please let me know while i still have time to return my blackberry. thanks a lot.
    googie_z
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    Am I the one who gets it here?
    The BIG advantage of the Playbook is tethering it to your Blackberry! Why on earth would I buy one and then add an additional data plan?

    Come on folks! The whole idea behind the Playbook is as an add-on for a Blackberry phone. Quit whining of no email reader etc. If you already have the phone it isn't needed! If you don't have the phone why would you buy the Playbook?
    harrim47
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

      @harrim47 I bought one because of the excellent hardware, QNX, and the promise of the 2.0 software release.
      No smartphone.
      radleym
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

        @radleym <br>I agree on the hardware and os points. It is so much more once it's paired to a bb phone.
        Since its inception I've read a lot of whining from many on this site of what they think is missing. There are many positives with the Playbook. The os is rock solid and speedy. The hardware is excellent. There could be more apps and I wish they had added an expansion slot or a way to stream from the BB. We have actually used it hooked up to a tv while out of town to watch hd movies.
        harrim47
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    At what point does it become a better idea to liquidate the company and just pay a dividend? Perhaps another Kodak moment?
    peter.bennett
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    @peter.bennett
    What does it matter to you if they liquidate or not? Tell us of the great benefit you stand to receive.
    Justice007
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sprint to kill Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook as RIM prepares 3G follow-up

    q1 2013 is fiscal year NOT calendar year. RIM is just finishing fiscal year 2012 this quarter so q1 2013 is March April May 2012 I believe.
    puzzzled
    Reply Vote
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