Tablet Computer, Sprint | featured news

Sprint Nextel abandoned plans to sell a 4G version of the BlackBerry's PlayBook, meaning the 4G tablet currently isn't supported by any of the three largest U.S. wireless carriers.

When Sprint Nextel introduced its first tablet in November, some were disappointed that the device was only compatible with 3G instead of the faster “4G” flavor of mobile broadband. After all, Sprint has offered 4G service since 2008 and devotes much of its marketing to linking its brand to 4G and the superior service it can provide.

Sprint said it plans to sell Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet for $400, or a third less than Verizon Wireless, though Sprint will require a two-year service contract.

iPad watch out: Samsung is gunning to take over the tablet market. The company announced during a press conference late Thursday that the recently announced Galaxy Tab would be launching on all four major US cellular networks—Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile—and a WiFi-only option will be available soon. There won't be any 4G-capable devices at launch, however (only 3G), and Samsung is remaining mum on pricing.