RIM's expected the PlayBook to be released on all carriers. Thus far, Sprint is the only one to carry the device. Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
A Wi-Fi version of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is now available through Sprint, despite initial skepticism about whether carriers would agree to service the device at all.
Research In Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook hasn’t exactly been a critical darling. After lukewarm initial reviews and lackluster sales, it was unclear whether whether any of the big three U.S. carriers would sell the tablet, as was initially planned.
Details on the release raise questions as to Sprint’s commitment to distributing the PlayBook. For one thing, the tablet is only being released in its 16-GB version, with no 32- and 64-GB Sprint versions in sight. And instead of a 4G release on Sprint’s faster Wi-Max network, the company is pushing out a Wi-Fi only device.
Upon the PlayBook’s debut, RIM said publicly that 4G versions of the device would roll out on the three largest U.S. carriers: Sprint, AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Yet after initial unfavorable reception, not all the carriers seemed to be on board. Verizon backpedaled on its position, claiming the company was “still evaluating” the PlayBook and hadn’t “made a determination as to whether or not [they're] going to distribute it,? according to a Verizon spokeswoman.
Even Sprint was rumored hesitant, as a leaked memo suggested an indefinite delay on a 4G PlayBook release.
As of April, AT&T plans to distribute the device on its network.
Both Verizon and Sprint did not respond to requests for comment.
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Full story at http://feeds.wired.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/dvmhy11PA1I/
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