BlackBerry Playbook Now Available In the US and Canada For As Little As $499

Yes, it's true! RIM is now shipping their BlackBerry Playbook tablets in North America if you head over to your local Best Buy or their website. The 7-inch dual-core CPU packing tablet is running a new OS made by QNX and it should support Android apps in the future. The tablet will be pretty good for you if you use a BlackBerry as a smartphone. Check them out on Best Buy right now: 16GB here, 32GB here, and 64GB here; it'll cost you $499, $599, and $699, respectively.

[Engadget]

Bell Reminds Us That the BlackBerry Playbook Is Coming Soon, So Sign-Up For It

Okay, so maybe the HP Touchpad is not your thing because you're not willing to wait until the Summer or maybe because you love RIM and you look forward to the BlackBerry Playbook supporting Android apps. Whatever the case may be, Bell has just put up the sign-up page for this tablet. The prices are already known and Bell is confirming that it's "Coming Soon". This will be available in under a week, on April 19th. Check it out on Bell.

[Mobile Syrup]

Radio Shack Now Taking Pre-Orders For the 16GB WiFi BlackBerry Playbook

Still waiting on the BlackBerry Playbook from RIM? Well, you can now pre-order one from Radio Shack if you have $499 handy for the 16GB WiFi-only model. The choice is yours if you want to pick this up over an iPad 2 which has a 2.7-inch larger display and a countless number of apps. However, don't forget that the Playbook runs an OS made by QNX and will support Android apps in the future. Furthermore, you can check out reviews for the Playbook now - all you have to do is Google it. Check it out on Radio Shack.

[BGR]

BGR Gets a Hands-On With the BlackBerry Monaco / Monza

BGR has just gotten their hands on an upcoming BlackBerry and it's the one we've been hearing for a long time. Yes, it's the Monaco / Monza which could be launching as the Storm 3, Curve Touch, or the BlackBerry Touch - it's all too confusing at this point. The name doesn't really matter because it's all about the software.

This smartphone is going to be running on BB OS 6.1 and there'll be a global GSM model for it. Specs are still unknown right now but you'll need a BlackBerry ID to login to the system. If you want to know more then just check out BGR for all of the details.

[BGR]

Office Depot Now Taking Pre-Orders For the BlackBerry Playbook, Shipping April 19th

The tablet that you might be waiting for is almost here. The BlackBerry Playbook is now available for pre-order at Office Depot. Prices are the same as the iPad 2 so now you have a choice to make. The 16GB model will cost you $499, 32GB for $599, and 64GB for $699. For now they're only WiFi models so you're going to have to wait a bit more for those 3G and 4G models. Check it out on Office Depot if you want to pre-order one.

Update: BGR has just pointed out that the Playbook will be available at Office Depot starting on April 19th - as expected!

[CrackBerry]

BBM Now Rumoured To Be Hitting the App Store On April 26th -- Negative, Says RIM

In the Mac Rumors forum there's, obviously, a new rumour that has been passing around. Apparently, in the Toronto event today, RIM's co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, mentioned that BBM "and 'services'" would be available on the iPhone App Store on April 26th. Of course, there's no way to confirm this but I hope it hits Android on the same day - which isn't looking too likely right now. Of course, the BBM for other platforms will just be a stripped down version so it might be a legitimate threat to other messaging services.

Update: BGR has contacted RIM and they mentioned that the rumour is false. RIM reportedly didn't even hold a conference in Toronto so it's absolutely made up.

[Mobile Syrup]

RIM Officially Announces That the Playbook Will Support Android Apps!

RIM has just announced something extremely great for future BlackBerry Playbook owners and Android app developers. The Playbook will officially support "over 25,000 BlackBerry Java apps and more than 200,000 Android apps." That's great news for everyone because it seems like nowadays it's all about the apps. The bad news is that the Playbook won't be able to run Android apps initially at launch and they'll be demoing the ability to run Android apps at BlackBerry World on May 3 to 5 in Orlando.

[CrackBerry]

Koodo Mobile Releases the BlackBerry Curve 3G With OS 6.0

It looks like Koodo Mobile has just released their latest smartphone and it's the BlackBerry Curve 3G (9300). This handset features a 2MP camera, Bluetooth / WiFi support, a microSD card slot, and sports OS 6.0 on board which is different from the other carriers which have them with OS 5.0. That's actually pretty great news. This one's available on Koodo right now for $300 contract-free or for $150 on the Tab.

[Mobile Syrup]

BlackBerry Playbook Pre-Orders Now Live In US and Canada, Launch Set For April 19th

RIM has just unveiled the official prices for their upcoming BlackBerry Playbook tablet and they're just what we were expecting. They're right in line with the iPad prices so the 16GB WiFi model will cost $499 and then the 32GB and 64GB models cost $599 and $699, respectively. In the US you'll be able to pick one up at AT&T, Best Buy, Office Depot, RadioShack, Sprint, and even Staples. This will be available on April 19th so mark it down on your calendar if you're interested in a 7-inch tablet.

Update: If you live in the US then you can pre-order it on Best Buy now.

Update: If you live in Canada then Mobile Syrup has your back. They have just mentioned that Future Shop and Best Buy are actually now taking pre-orders for the tablet as well! Same prices; awesome stuff! Don't worry, you'll be seeing the Playbook everywhere. Retailers include: Bell, Best Buy, Chapters / Indigo, Costco, Future Shop, Mobilicity, MTS Allstream, Rogers, Sasktel, Sears, ShopBlackBerry.com, Staples, Telus, Tbooth Wireless, The Source, Videotron, Walmart, WIND Mobile, WIRELESS etc. and WIRELESSWAVE.

[Tech Crunch]

BlackBerry 4G Playbook Page Now Live On Sprint, Still On Track For Summer

Sprint has just put up a new page for the 4G BlackBerry Playbook. This one should be like the original Playbook but this one will, obviously, feature WiMAX connectivity. Unfortunately, this one's still scheduled for a Summer launch so don't think that this one's coming sooner just because the page is up. We should be seeing more of this tomorrow at the carrier's CTIA event. Check it out on Sprint if you don't believe me.

[BGR]

3 UK Launching Samsung Galaxy S2 Mini, Nokia X7, LG Optimus 3D, HTC Flyer, BB Playbook

3 UK may have just leaked some juicy information regarding some upcoming smartphones. Apparently, Samsung is prepping a Galaxy S2 Mini for the future and the launch is reportedly set for April on the carrier. Specs are going to include a 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 5MP AF camera with an LED flash, a VGA front-facing camera, HSDPA connectivity, WiFi n / Bluetooth support, GPS, a 1.4GHz CPU, WiFi hotspot capabilities, and Android "Gingerbread" with the Touchwiz UI. This is classified as a high-end handset and I'm actually looking to pick this one up because I really like 3.7-inch displays. Don't worry, there's more!

Moving along, it looks like the Symbian^3 based Nokia X7 - that won't be hitting AT&T anymore - will be headed to 3 UK this June, along with the LG Optimus 3D. In May you can expect the 7-inch HTC Flyer tablet and in June you'll be able to pick up a WiFi-only BlackBerry Playbook. Interesting stuff, I'm looking forward to them all!

[Engadget]

Sprint's CTIA Announcements Leak: HTC EVO 3D, EVO View 4G, Motorola XOOM, BB Playbook

Well, Sprint's CTIA announcements have just been spoiled. BGR has just broke the news that they'll be announcing the HTC EVO 3D, EVO View 4G, Motorola XOOM, the Samsung Rant 3, and a WiFi-only BlackBerry Playbook as well as one with WiMAX connectivity. Pretty awesome stuff. Now, let's get into the specs, shall we?

First off, we have the EVO 3D which is said to feature a 4.3-inch qHD 3D display (960 x 540 resolution), a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 8660 CPU, a 5MP camera, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, a 1,730mAh battery, an HDMI port that will output 1080p and even 720p video, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of ROM, and Android 2.3 with the Sense UI. The smartphone is also said to have the Blockbuster 3D app as well as YouTube 3D. If you're buying into the 3D trend then this may actually be the phone for you.

Next up is reportedly the EVO View 4G. This one will be sporting a 7-inch display (1,024 x 600 resolution), an aluminum unibody, a 5MP camera, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, WiFi b/g/n / Bluetooth 3.0 support, a 4,000mAh battery, DLNA, HDMI output, and Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" with the Sense UI. It's pretty much exactly like we've been hearing. An HTC Flyer with WiMAX capabilities. Not exactly the best tablet on the market.

Moving along we have the XOOM which will be exactly like the Verizon model but it'll have WiMAX capabilities instead. No clue if it'll initially ship with the device. There's also word on the Samsung Rant 3 which is the most uninteresting of the bunch. This one is said to be a 3G touchscreen handset which is reportedly eco-friendly since it'll have a solar panel on the door... or something like that. The last one is the BlackBerry Playbook which Sprint will be announcing. It'll come in two models, like I said: WiFi-only and WiMAX. I'm assuming there'll be a regular 3G model as well. Definitely quite a big showing for Sprint, so this event should be exciting.

[BGR, Android Central]

MTS Set To Release BlackBerry Curve 9300 On March 31st With OS 6

In Canada, MTS should be releasing a new smartphone soon and it'll be the BlackBerry Curve 9300. The most interesting thing about this one is that it'll launch with OS 6.0 on March 31st. The big 3 in Canada already have this smartphone but it launched with OS 5.0 which is RIM's outdated OS. That's good news for MTS! Check it out on MTS.

[Mobile Syrup]

Staples Leak Shows A Bunch of Tablets Coming This Year; 8.9-Inch Samsung, 10-Inch HTC, 7-Inch HP, and More!

Wow, another huge Staples leak has just been spotted and it's coming from their training guide - the one below is coming from a "major retailer" as well, but it could also be Staples. If this isn't the year of the tablets then I don't know what is. The leak shows several tablets that'll be launching this year. We'll just go in order starting with the Motorola XOOM which could be launching this week (March 17th) for $649; it's looking like this one will be the WiFi-only model. Next up is RIM's BlackBerry Playbook which could be launching on March 27th for $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB). Keep in mind that this date might have moved to April. There's also word on the 7-inch Dell Streak 7 which will be launching in late March / April as well; price for that one should be $449 as well - it's already available on T-Mobile.

Now, for the coming soon tablets we have a bunch of them running on Android "Honeycomb" which is great news. We have the 8.9-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab which should be announced next week, the Dell Streak 10, a 10-inch Acer, and a 10-inch Toshiba. It's unknown what the 10-inch Acer tablet will be but it could be the Eee Pad EP101TC, which is a complete guess. The 10-inch Toshiba has been teased by them since January but they have yet to make it official. There's also word on a 10-inch HTC Android "Honeycomb" tablet that's on the way. This one hasn't been announced yet but I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Last, but definitely not least there's word on the 10-inch HP Touchpad running on the next version of webOS along with an unannounced 7-inch model. This will likely get announced at the company's next event which is in a few weeks. Amazing stuff!

[DROID-Life, Pre Central]

WiFi-Only BlackBerry Playbook Hits the FCC In 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB Models

An upcoming tablet that should be making its way onto the scene soon has just been spotted and tested by the FCC. It's RIM's BlackBerry Playbook and the FCC has confirmed that it'll come in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models - exactly like Apple's iPad and iPad 2. Which carrier is this for? Well, we don't know because this is just the WiFi-only model. Launch should be in Q2 which kicks off next month (April). Check it out at the FCC.

[Engadget]

T-Mobile's Upcoming GSM BlackBerrys Leak, Set For Q3 Launch

N4BB has just picked up some exclusive information regarding the future of RIM smartphones. The roadmap above states that we could actually see a new BlackBerry in very late Q2 or early Q3. It'll be the BlackBerry (R005) Dakota which is said to be the company's touchscreen Bold. After that you can expect the BlackBerry (R006) Apollo which appears to be a new Curve along with the Torch 2 (R040) which was set for a Q2 / Q3 launch but it looks like it has been delayed. Of course, the Playbook is set for the Q2 launch. Keep in mind that this is a leaked T-Mobile slide so these could also be hitting North of the border at the same time - these would be great for WIND to pick up.

[Mobile Syrup]

Another BlackBerry Roadmap Leaks, Involves New Handsets and Even OS 7.0

Coming from N4BB is a pretty darn good leak regarding RIM and the future of the BlackBerry. Before I talk about it you can take a look at it for yourself. It mentions that RIM looks like they'll be releasing the BlackBerry Dakota / Montana, Malibu, Apollo / Sedona, Monaco, and the Torch 2 this year. All of these - except for the Torch 2 - are actually codenames so they should all launch in their usual naming schemes (Bold, Curve, Storm). Furthermore, these should all launch with OS 6.1 and it looks like they're starting to work on getting OS 7.0 in the mix which should actually be running on their upcoming QNX-built OS. If you want to know more then just check out either of the two links.

[Slash Gear]

MTS To Release BlackBerry Torch, Bold 9780, Nokia C6-00, and iPhone 4 Soon

MTS has just detailed four handsets that they'll be launching soon. This includes the BlackBerry Torch, Bold 9780, and the Nokia C6-00. Yes, they'll also be launching the iPhone 4. We don't know exactly when they'll be available so that's what we're going to have to keep waiting for. Check it out on MTS.

[Mobile Syrup]

Mobile City Now Taking $599 Pre-Orders For the BlackBerry Playbook

Mobile City is back at it again. This time they are actually now taking pre-orders for the upcoming BlackBerry Playbook tablet at $599.99. According to the e-tailer, the retail price is $899 but there's no word on how much internal memory this comes with. The rest of the specs are exactly what you'd expect though. Pre-order one now if you think it's better than the iPad 2.

[Liliputing]

T-Mobile USA Could Launch the Storm 3 and Playbook; Playbook Rumoured For April 10 Launch

There's a rumour going around that two upcoming RIM devices will be headed to T-Mobile USA. The first one will be the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, which apparently "will arrive soon", while the other one will be the Storm 3, which could launch in Q3. Apparently, this rumour is coming from some BlackBerry reps at certain meetings. It sounds sketchy at this point so take it with a grain of salt.

Update: According to BGR, their tipsters have mentioned that this tablet could actually be launching on April 10th - not necessarily T-Mobile. Rumoured price tag for the 16GB model is said to be $499 so it definitely has a chance to be pretty popular.

[TMoNews]