Sprint cancels 4G BlackBerry PlayBook, no one seems to notice

The nation's third carrier cited lack of demand among customers as its reasoning for cancelling RIM's QNX-powered tablet

Published on Aug 13, 2011

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint has abandoned its plans to launch a version of RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with an embedded 4G WiMAX radio. The nation’s No. 3 carrier cited a lack of demand among business customers and consumers as its reasoning for the cancellation.
Sprint announced way back in January that it would release a 4G BlackBerry PlayBook sometime this summer, and a Sprint spokesperson told This is My Next that the decision to not release the 4G PlayBook will have no impact on the carrier’s relationship with RIM. "This was a mutual decision between Sprint and RIM," Sprint said.

Obivously, as CNET points out, this is huge blow for RIM and for those that were hoping to get a WiMax-powered BlackBerry PlayBook. It also shows just how far RIM has fallen with consumers and business customers. It really means something when no one seems to want your device.

Sadly, while we here at KYC care that the PlayBook isnt launching, I can't say I know one consumer/non-techie who even notices that the PlayBook exists. It's all about Android and iOS at this point really, especially in the tablet world

For RIM, this fact is no doubt a tough one to swallow.