BlackBerry PlayBook On Verizon? Even They Aren't Sure Yet

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The BlackBerry PlayBook launched his past week, and unlike the other major (non-Apple) tablets, it launched with no cellular versions, with only the WiFi-only model shipping to stores. Tech blogs have been speculating which carriers will be among the first to start carrying 3G and 4G versions of the BlackBerry tablet. But, Verizon has confirmed they’re still looking into carrying the tablet. That’s despite RIM saying that Verizon would carry it some time ago.

Regarding the BlackBerry Playbook, Engadget is quoting Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney as saying:

We’re still evaluating the BlackBerry Playbook and have not made a determination as to whether we’re going to distribute it.

Engadget went on to point out that this in direct contradiction from a RIM press release from March 22^nd titled RIM Announces Retail Channels for BlackBerry PlayBook, in which they listed Verizon (as well as AT&T and Sprint) as launch partners for the PlayBook. Thus far, we haven’t seen any of the carriers carrying it. Leaks from Sprint seem to indicate that they will be selling a WiFi-only version of the device.  Leaked US Cellular documents tell retail employees to tell customers who ask about the PlayBook coming to US Cellular to direct their questions to RIM (nothing like passing the buck, eh?)

For some reason, the carriers haven’t jumped onboard the PlayBook bandwagon, forcing RIM to launch entirely with the WiFi-only model in big box stores like Best Buy and Staples. It could be a supply issue – RIM not having the 3G/4G version ready at launch – but it seems to me that this could be an issue with negotiations. Maybe RIM is asking too much to carry the device. Maybe the carriers are taking a wait-and-see approach to see how the device does at retail. Either way, it seems like Sprint, US Cellular and Verizon are all toying with the idea of carrying the PlayBook.