4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook headed to AT&T with NFC
It looks like RIM will have their own 4G LTE tablet on AT&T to go head-to-head with Apple’s 4G LTE iPad. Yesterday, a new version of the BlackBerry PlayBook hit the FCC. The device won FCC approval for GSM bands 850 and 1900, WCDMA bands II and V, and LTE bands 4 and 17. These bands correspond to AT&T’s 3G and 4G LTE service in the U.S., a good indication that RIM and AT&T will soon launch the device.
The new PlayBook also won approval for NFC, a feature not offered on the current version of the device. It’s unclear what RIM plans to do with the PlayBook’s NFC capabilities, however.
Neither RIM nor AT&T has announced plans to release a 4G LTE version of the PlayBook, nor do we have any pricing or a release date for the device. However, yesterday’s FCC filing suggests that we will be hearing more very soon.
RIM’s Porsche-designed P’9981 gets an FCC tear down, looks stunning as ever
RIM unveiled the Porsche-designed BlackBerry Porsche P’9981 back in October, revealing a stainless steel, leather and glass device that departs nicely from the traditional black plastic BlackBerry design. Unfortunately, the P’9981 is a luxury device with a $2,000 plus price tag that will only be available on a limited basis.
Thanks to the FCC, however, we get a closer look at the P’9981, including a few shots of the device’s innards. FCC internal photos of the P’9981 show the front and back of the device’s main board, although we don’t get a good look at the device’s chips since they’re covered with shielding. FCC external photos show what appears to be a prototype of the P’9981, with the “Porsche Design” logo replaced with the word “Proceeding.”
Take a look at the full gallery of FCC photos below.
RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook now just $200 from Best Buy
RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook was a half-a-billion-dollar disaster at $500, but for $200 maybe you can live without an email client. If that’s the case, head on over to Best Buy, where you can get a 16GB PlayBook for just $200. If you need a bit more storage, surf on over to NewEgg, where the 32GB PlayBook is $250.
Both etailers currently show the device in stock, but you’ll need to pay a bit extra for shipping if you hope to get your shipments before Christmas.
Source: Tech Bargains
RIM’s BlackBerry Bold 9790 gets an FCC teardown
RIM’s BlackBerry Bold 9790, codenamed the Bellagio, hit the FCC last month and recently internal and external FCC photos of the device were released. Internal photos of the device give us a good look at the Bold’s Marvell Tavor 1GHz processor and Samsung SDRAM, as well as an inside view of RIM’s trademark QWERTY keypad.
Perhaps the most interesting image of the Bold 9790 is the photo above, which shows several Bold circuit boards side-by-side on a single printed circuit board. It’s a unique look at the cell phone manufacturing process, and the first time we’ve seem a cell phone’s main board before its popped out of the PCB and installed.
Check out the full gallery of Bold 9790 pictures, below.
RIM’s Porsche Design BlackBerry P’9981 hits the FCC with support for AT&T, NFC
RIM’s stunning Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone first appeared a couple months ago. The device did away with RIM’s glossy black plastic and chrome design, instead relying on a stainless steel frame, leather back and sculpted QWERTY keypad.
Today, the P’9981 hit the FCC with the model number REQ71UW, winning approval for GSM 850/1900, WCDMA bands II and V, Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC capabilities. The P’9981’s GSM and WCDMA bands correspond to AT&T’s spectrum in the United States, although it’s unclear if AT&T plans to release the device.
RIM hasn’t yet announced availability or pricing for the P’9981, but the device is expected to cost around $2000.
RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 9830 reappears on the FCC, this time with support for T-Mobile
RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 9830 made another appearance on the FCC today, this time sporting support for GSM bands 850 and 1900, and WCDMA bands II, IV and V. Support for WCDMA band IV is significant, since it means that the phone will support T-Mobile’s 3G band in the United States.
FCC test reports also confirm two model numbers for the Curve 9380: REA70UW and REB70UW. The REA70UW passed through the FCC a couple of weeks ago. Both models are confirmed to be the Curve 9380 in the device’s Safety and Product Information doc, which can be downloaded here (screenshot below).
The Curve 9380 is the first member of the Curve line to ditch RIM’s trademark keypad. The device will feature a 3.2-inch display with a 360×480 resolution, 800MHz processor and 5MP camera.
As far as a release date goes, RIM reports that “BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 smartphones will begin to be available from various carriers around the world over the coming weeks. Availability dates for specific devices from specific carriers will be announced in conjunction with RIM’s partners.”
