“Research In Motion Ltd.’s tablet hopes were dealt another blow as Sprint Nextel Corp said it canceled plans to sell a version of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet on its speedier network,” Greg Bensinger reports for MarketWatch.
“The decision means the device hasn’t yet found any support from the three largest U.S. wireless carriers, which includes AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless,” Bensinger reports. “Without their backing, RIM will have to bear the burden of sales and marketing support for the device, as well as application development.”
MacDailyNews Take: DCW.
Bensinger reports, “In contrast, Apple Inc.’s market-dominating iPad is advertised and supported by both AT&T and Verizon Wireless, and the tablet is displayed prominently in stores.”
MacDailyNews Take: Boom! Greg, with the kick to the teeth!
Bensinger reports, “Sprint had said in January it would sell a version of the device as soon as this summer that would run on its fourth-generation network. The carrier said this week that those plans had been halted because the market for tablets has became too crowded. Representatives from Research In Motion did not respond Friday to requests for comment.”
MacDailyNews Take: Probably DCW’s half-CEOs are too busy preparing their answer to the “What did you know and how soon did you know it” question. Or trying to buy a hockey team.
Bensinger reports, “Rival device-makers have had little success so far in catching up to Apple after its launch of the iPad in April 2010. Estimates vary, but analysts suggest Apple has two-thirds of the market, if not more.”
MacDailyNews Take: More. Shipping doesn’t equal selling. Apple’s so-called “rivals” do a whole lot of the former and very little of the latter while Apple can’t make iPads fast enough.
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Buh-bye, RIM.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “N8nNC” for the heads up.]
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Half-CEOs claim ‘RIM’s foundation is very strong’ as shareholders grumble – July 13, 2011
Beleaguered RIM slashes PlayBook production plans – June 22, 2011
O2 rejects RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook; won’t sell in UK due to end user issues – June 16, 2011