[hugh]

Research In Motion Ltd. appears poised to discontinue its current version of the PlayBook tablet, according to a research report.

Investment research firm OTR Global has issued a report saying RIM may be about to stop production of the Wi-Fi-only version of its tablet. RIM had been expected to launch a cellular-equipped version of the PlayBook later this year, but for now, the only one available to consumers is the Wi-Fi model.

 

[lima20]

In a similar news to that, another report claims they might be planning this

Source:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20079926-1/rim-may-be-planning-media-streaming-device/

 

[bgclarke]

Seems like a really misguided approach to launching a tablet.

 

[Dr.Dave]

RIM denies reports of plan to discontinue Wi-Fi PlayBook

The link in post 1 has been updated Monday, Jul. 18, 2011 6:21PM EDT

Research In Motion moved to counter a report claiming it is poised to discontinue the original PlayBook tablet just three months after launch, calling it “pure fiction.”

 

[Nuje]

I don't understand corporate book-keeping, but I read (or heard on a podcast?) that it could be that RIM and HP both released "less than complete" tablets this year so that each company could take a write-down on the cost of development while they continue to work on their "real" release to come out next year.

Again, I don't understand the financials, but would a company really risk putting a bad taste in the public's mouth with a dud of a product, hoping that they could win them back with their "killer" version that's "in development"?

 

[Costa]

The thing that bugs me is that they keep trying to get into different markets, from the playbook, to that media player. Yet, their newest phones hardware are comparable to other competitors. Why bother with a different market, if you're struggling with your main market.

 

[james99]

Analysts how do I love thee. This is obvious hogwash since those who have been following the release of this tablet are well aware that it continues to be released in different markets on a semi regular basis.

 

[Jase88]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does the Playbook not work seamlessly with a Blackberry device's cellular connection (via Bluetooth)? Since most Playbook owners likely also own a Blackberry, why would a cellular-equipped Playbook be necessary for most users?!?

 

[james99]

Yes, the Blackberry Bridge software allows the two devices to play nice with each other(and share data plans) via Bluetooth

The standalone 3g/4g model would be those without a blackberry (or without a smartphone that had wifi tethering).

 

[Dr.Dave]

Another quote from the article:

Deloitte technology analyst Duncan Stewart says his research shows between 60 and 80 per cent of tablets sold are WiFi-only, and so it would make little sense for RIM to discontinue production of the WiFi PlayBook.