Sprint Dumps 4G Version Of RIM's Playbook

RIM has promised 4G models of the PlayBook since the PlayBook was formally announced earlier this year, and Sprint said in January that a 4G version of the PlayBook would be out by the summer.

But Sprint's dismissal, which was first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal, means that none of the three biggest carriers in the U.S. yet support the PlayBook on their networks.

According to the Journal, Sprint cited a lack of demand from business customers as its reason for the change in plans. In a statement sent to numerous news outlets Friday, Sprint said it was "a mutual decision between Sprint and RIM."

Sprint is still carrying the Wi-Fi version of the PlayBook, which is advertised on Sprint's web site for about $500.

In a statement sent to CRN Friday, RIM said it would be focusing on Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G networks for PlayBook and not the WiMax network Sprint uses.

"RIM has decided to prioritize and focus its 4G development resources on LTE. We remain excited and committed to delivering innovative and powerful 4G tablets to the US market together with our carrier partners," a RIM spokesperson said. "Testing of BlackBerry 4G PlayBook models is already underway and we plan to enter labs for network certifications in the US and other international markets this fall."

RIM's PlayBook first launched in April to tepid reviews, and sales for the PlayBook and other would-be competitive tablets, such as Motorola's Android-based Xoom tablet, have been dwarfed by the continued success of Apple's iPad.

The iPad, which is supported by AT&T and Verizon in the U.S., saw sales of nearly 9.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011, according to Apple's most recent earnings report.

That compares with the 500,000 Wi-Fi PlayBooks shipped that RIM reported for its most recent fiscal quarter, and the 440,000 Xoom tablets Motorola reported for its.

RIM said in late July it would cut about 2,000 jobs and shake up its senior management ranks, although there have been no changes to the jobs of its co-CEOs, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. The once-proud Canadian mobile device company has seen its stock value plummet and a consistent stream of criticism from analysts, shareholders and employees alike. Last month, RIM had to fend off rumors that it was planning to stop production on its Wi-Fi PlayBook entirely.

The fast-growing tablet market has thus far been a story of Apple and everyone else, though several major tablet vendors have taken dramatic steps to boost interest in their wares. HP, for example, has heavily discounted its TouchPad tablet, and at this week's XChange Americas conference in Denver, HP offered free TouchPads to attendees.