Report: Sprint Delays Launch of BlackBerry PlayBook

Sprint may be delaying the release of the PlayBook on its network, according to a recently leaked internal memo. Photo courtesy of Sprint

Yet another bit of bad news for BlackBerry PlayBook enthusiasts: The launch of the device on Sprint’s network may be delayed indefinitely.

A leaked internal Sprint memo sent out to the company’s many retail stores announces the delay of the PlayBook, with the official release date “to be communicated as soon as it is available.” First reported by BriefMobile, the memo gives no reason for the delay.

It may not be the first time the PlayBook has been delayed on the network. According to another leaked internal memo, the product was slated to roll out on Sprint’s network in April, but was pushed back until May 8th.

Sprint declined to comment on the veracity of the memo, instead issuing the following statement: “We have said we would offer BlackBerry 4G PlayBook this summer, but have not announced a specific date as of yet.”

The news comes in the wake of uncertainty from at least one other carrier. Although RIM had announced that it planned to release the PlayBook on the big three U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T and Sprint), a Verizon company spokesperson recently said the company has yet to decide whether or not it will carry the tablet. AT&T did not immediately return a Thursday morning request for comment, but as of April 21 had confirmed to Wired.com that the PlayBook will be released on its HSPA+ network.

Early critical reception of the PlayBook has been lukewarm at best, as reviewers were disappointed with its lack of certain features like native e-mail and contacts applications. But at its BlackBerry World conference in Orlando this week, manufacturer Research in Motion is demoing a number of the missing apps users have asked for, with promises to launch the features this summer.

With the prospect of these software updates coming to the PlayBook sooner rather than later, we’ll see if the carriers begin to change their tune.