Research In Motion on Monday announced plans to launch high-speed LTE and HSPA+ versions of its first tablet, the BlackBerry Playbook.
This brings the total number of upcoming PlayBook models to four: in January, RIM announced Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + WiMax versions. Networks haven't been announced yet, but with the news, all of America's biggest carriers could technically offer the tablet: Verizon and MetroPCS support LTE; T-Mobile and AT&T have HSPA+; Sprint has WiMax. The non-LTE carriers have also committed to future 4G LTE networks, the main global standard.
"We are now building on the BlackBerry PlayBook's many advantages with support for additional 4G networks that will allow enhanced business opportunities for carriers and developers and unparalleled mobile experiences for users," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion, in a statement.
Equipped with its own BlackBerry tablet OS, which runs on QNX technology, the 7-inch, 1GHz dual-core tablet is expected to launch early this year. It might also be able to run Android apps, according to a report.
The enterprise-oriented tablets will also support Bluetooth tethering, mobile hotspotting via smartphones, and BlackBerry Bridge, a software that allows use of Blackberry Messenger, calendar, and e-mail.
No pricing details have been announced, yet.
Check out PCMag's hands-on photos with the PlayBook in the slideshow below as well as our video hands-on from CES.
