RIM is finally releasing a 4G LTE PlayBook. The company announced today that it will debut in Canada next week and it will be available in the U.S. "in the coming months," which hopefully isn't code for "never."

Vietnamese tech forum Tinhte is showing off what looks like RIM's new 10-inch PlayBook. But while the hardware looks like it might almost be ready for launch—if it's real—don't expect to get your hands on one any time soon.

If you somehow happen to own a BlackBerry PlayBook: we're very sorry for you. But still, don't be too sad, because apparently it's possible to port iOS apps so that they run on your awful piece of hardware!

Things are getting dire for RIM, which diffidently announced its new BlackBerry 10 platform earlier this month to an internet full of aggressive disinterest. The latest grim tiding? Trading has been halted on RIM's stock—which is a very bad sign—on the heels of news that its stash of unsold BlackBerry phones and…

Now that RIM has shown a preview of BlackBerry 10, more rumors are surfacing about the updated OS.

RIM is killing the option to sideload apps in a future build of the PlayBook OS in an attempt to curb piracy. This means that they'll have to be added directly through BlackBerry App World, similar to Apple's M.O. with the App Store.

Well, it's finally here, Apple's new hotness. But how does it compare to the new hotness from Asus, Samsung, Amazon, BlackBerry, or heck, the iPad 2? We've got you covered with this head-to-head spec sheet.

You might not recall, but when the BlackBerry PlayBook came out last year it was close—oh, so close—to being a respectable iPad competitor. But the omission of native email, calendars and contacts was a fatal flaw, both for reviewers and the buying public.

This isn't the review of the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 software. That comes tomorrow. Rather, these are just some early impressions and comparisons to the 1.0 software running through my head as I get acclimated with the thing. These opinions that may or may not change with time and familiarity.

To go along with the release of the PlayBook 2.0 update, RIM also included new remote functionality in the BlackBerry Bridge app, so that BB phones can control the PlayBook But as people are finding out, it can control much, much more than just a single tablet.

As predicted, RIM's attempt to salvage the PlayBook—an updated operating system—is available today. Now, basic tablet functionality can be had by PlayBook users: e-mail, calendar and contacts programs, as well as a scattering of ported Android apps. The update is available now, via the PlayBook's Software Updates…

RIM's Playbook tablet hasn't exactly been a blockbuster success (or even much of a "success") since its initial launch last year—due in part to a clunky UI and lack of basic features. However, according to a report by N4BB, the vastly improved Playbook OS 2 could start rolling out next week.

Here's some good news if you like to tinker with creating Android apps in your spare time: submit one to the BlackBerry App World before February 13th, and you can get a free Playbook. That's another great sign that RIM is doing well, eh?

Wait, is this right? RIM's update to its PlayBook OS is actually good? High fives are currently flying in meetings across North America.

BlackBerry just announced Playbook OS 2 which finally makes the Playbook useful. As opposed to the silly joke it was! The new OS, which really should have launched with the Playbook, adds e-mail, calendar and contacts. Finally! From the company that brought e-mail to your pocket, there's e-mail on their tablet.

I'm at Pepcom's Digital Experience and while I was running the floor looking for exciting products to share with you— yeah, you—I noticed the saddest booth around.

The PlayBook was bound to go on sale again... and now it has! In fact, RIM is selling all its models for $299. Yes, the 16GB version costs the same as the 64GB model.

As RIM continues to stumble down the long stairway to oblivion, Reuters reports that the company had an unlikely suitor this summer that could have saved them: Amazon. Wait, what? Or more importantly... why?