The BlackBerry PlayBook just seems to get more and more interesting as we get closer to the next OS 2.0. It looks like in the developer beta of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, some icons showing 4G and 4G LTE have been found. We already knew a 4G PlayBook would be releasing. At one point Sprint was signed up to release a WiMax version, but decided to back out. RIM stated they were still moving forward in releasing a 4G model. Also, there might be a 1280 x 768 screen resolution in the future as it is hinted in some back files.
Either way, we can’t wait to see the future of the BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 OS launching for all devices whether it be a smartphone or tablet.

Source: N4BB

AT&T is definitely throwing people off here.  The all new BlackBerry Torch 9810 is referred to as the “BlackBerry Torch 4G” at AT&T, but shows H+ on the screen which stands for HSPA+.  The AT&T BlackBerry Bold 9900 is also claimed to be “4G,” but is still titled the “BlackBerry Bold 9900” on the box rather than “BlackBerry Bold 4G.”  On the screen it shows 4G as the connection and not H+.  Confusing for some, but based on what AT&T told me which could be total BS, the Bold 9900 is 4G capable with AT&T’s real 4G bump up from HSPA+.

The very long delayed 4G BlackBerry PlayBook has taken a plunge.  Originally Sprint was supposed to get it in June, and then delays indicated a Fall 2011 launch for it.  According to WSJ, Sprint has decided to exit away from the 4G PlayBook completely.

And Sprint’s reason? The tablet market has become way to crowded that they feel there is no room for the PlayBook to stand out enough.  “It’s an interesting concept, it just hasn’t caught on with business customers as much as they would like,” President of Sprint’s markets group said. “There are so many tablets in the market, it creates confusion for the average customer.”

With that said, the idea of a 4G PlayBook is in limbo now until a carrier decides to partner with RIM on this one.

Well sort of “available.”  RIM has yet to announced a 4G GSM BlackBerry PlayBook, but somehow the supplier for the N4BB store has 5 in stock.  They are all unlocked GSM to work with T-Mobile and AT&T, not sure about the bands and which carrier gets the 4G (or both maybe).  They’re 16GB and as mentioned only 5 are in stock.  You can grab one for $700, no strings attached.  These are said to be legit and in their original retail packaging.

Check out the 4G BlackBerry PlayBooks for sale >>

T-Mobile has announced that their 4G network just got even faster in over a 100 markets across the United States.  In the press release after the jump they do mention the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9900 supporting 4G, as we got to see it hands on at BlackBerry World this year.  Here’s the full press release:

T-Mobile’s 4G Network Now Even Faster in Nearly 100 Markets Across the Country

Today, T-Mobile is doubling the speed of its 4G network in 42 additional markets including Albuquerque, N.M.; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Sacramento and San Diego, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah and San Antonio, Texas. Now, customers in 97 markets across the country have access to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network, enabling the fastest 4G speeds it has to offer, as well as increased network capacity and reliability.

T-Mobile has seen average download speeds approaching 10Mbps with peak speeds of 27Mbps on the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 laptop stick—the company’s first 42Mbps device. T-Mobile expects more than 150 million American’s to have access to these increased 4G speeds by mid-2011.

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BlackBerry users everywhere are getting stomped on by Android device and iPhone users.  Where’s the front face camera? When is a 4G Berry releasing? How about a revamped better OS to compete with what’s out today?  By looking at RIM’s road map for the next few months into 2011, things are looking good so far.  BlackBerry 6 (OS 6.0) which we hope is not delayed any further will be launching with the BlackBerry 9800 Slider and then for other devices as well.

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The race between cell phone service providers to deliver the fastest possible data networks has raged for years, and T-Mobile seems to have taken the lead in their 4G coverage. In addition to the more than 85 million individuals now covered by T-Mobile’s 4G network, they have also made HSPA+ network service usable in 50 metropolitan areas. To employ this new network more effectively, T-Mobile has also hinted at a new smartphone that will be HSPA+ enabled.

Hopefully. T-Mobile’s expansion of their 4G network and progressive steps in the HSPA+ realm of mobile devices will push AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and others to develop their own technologies, like 4G and HSPA+, as well. In doing so, the provider wars will continue on, and BlackBerry and other smartphone users will be the beneficiaries. Hopefully, by the time the first 4G BlackBerry is released, all providers will cover as many or more Americans with 4G coverage as T-Mobile does.  Hit the jump for the full press release from T-Mobile.

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T-Mobile announced plans to develop their super fast 4G network across a variety of major cities Tuesday. The move comes as other major providers also begin to add on to their 4G/HSPA+ networks, heating up a data network competition that will surely benefit all smartphone users. T-Mobile has plans to introduce 4G networks into  Los Angeles; Dallas; Atlanta; Houston; Seattle; Tampa and Orlando, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem, N.C.; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; New Orleans; and Charleston, S.C.

While Research In Motion has not yet announced plans for 4G models, T-Mobile supports the BlackBerry Bold 9700, a 3G capable phone. With the imminent release of OS 6.0 aka BlackBerry 6 and the use of Flash on phones, data usage will rise significantly in the near future. T-Mobile’s expansion of their 4G network, as with similar plans from other providers, will give future 4G-enabled smartphones the bandwidth needed to allow them to perform a range of different activities at their highest capacity, leaving concerns over data networks aside.  Hit the jump for the full press release.

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