AT&T leaves PlayBook users out in the cold; no official BlackBerry Bridge support yet

By on Apr 19, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Tablets April 19, 2011

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook launched in U.S. and Canadian markets earlier today, and that is good news for RIM enthusiasts… that is unless you have AT&T. As many of you know, the PlayBook uses a small piece of software called BlackBerry Bridge to acquire cellular connectivity and provide messaging and other crucial PIM functionality — by transferring calendar, email, and contact data between a BlackBerry smartphone and the new tablet. So what’s the problem? It’s not officially supported by AT&T. On RIM’s official BlackBerry App World page, BlackBerry Bridge is listed with the following support status:

“Supported Carriers — All carriers except: AT&T”

Determined users have found unofficial ways to load the Bridge application onto AT&T BlackBerry smartphones, but the fact that RIM’s highly anticipated tablet offering is not yet officially supported by a major U.S. carrier is very disappointing. An AT&T spokesperson provided the following comment: “AT&T is working with RIM to make the BlackBerry Bridge app available for AT&T customers. We have just received the app for testing and before it’s made available to AT&T customers we want to ensure it delivers a quality experience for our customers.”

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  • Anonymous

    Apparently RIM’s plan was to rely on carriers to simply not charge BB users any extra fees, even as those same carriers are squeezing similar fees from users of other devices.

    • Anonymous

      Eh homo, give it up on bashing rim. This block is from an app, not the actual bridge. And, just so you know, there is already a fix for it

  • Generatione

    AT&T strikes again. I am betting they will only allow it with a tethering plan.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

    • Anonymous

      too bad its working good now,and if ATT will some how will cut my unlimited International plain. I am going to take them to curt, and go and buy Verizon phone.

  • Mnhockeycoach99

    Not very surprising considering many other carriers post OS updates way before AT&T gets around to doing it. My guess is that they are “testing” ways that they can charge extra for this additional functionality.

    • JP

      Of course they are. This really infuriates me being an ATT subscriber. Looking for ways to make a quick buck of this feature.

      • VirginMerry

        Seeing as though BB should have sold 10 Playbooks by now, it really wont effect too many people……

      • Anonymous

        The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

      • Anonymous

        The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • @j_nathaniel

    Dumb idea to launch this device without it’s own connectivity option in the first place. I am posting this comment from the car using my iPad 3G while I wait for a client to arrive.

    • Awesome

      If you’re willing to pay for a seperate data plan, sure, you might call it dumb. But a lot of existing BB customers are laughing at tethering plans right now thanks to BB Bridge.

      P.S. isn’t the wifi model of the iPad the best selling?

      • Anonymous

        IDK, I think I’d take being able to use ANY phone tethering vs being required to use a 2002-era Blackberry (ie. all of them) just to have a native calendar or email app.

        That’s laughable to me.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

        The lack of a native Calendar and native E-Mail is one of two reasons i’m not buying the playbook.

        the other is needing a blackberry to take full advantage of the tablet. I will not own a blackberry as my cell phone just to use this tablet.

      • Anonymous

        But you are able to tether with ANY brand of cell phone with the Playbook — just not for free.

        Laughable is to declare winners of a marathon in the first mile. This is going to be an orderly OS transition for RIM — not some ugly hack like Apple and Android lying about their native email security policies (i.e. saying that the email was encrypted in the iphone, but it really wasn’t).

      • Anonymous

        But you are able to tether with ANY brand of cell phone with the Playbook — just not for free.

        Laughable is to declare winners of a marathon in the first mile. This is going to be an orderly OS transition for RIM — not some ugly hack like Apple and Android lying about their native email security policies (i.e. saying that the email was encrypted in the iphone, but it really wasn’t).

      • Awesome

        Bridge and tethering are two different things

        The PlayBook can “tether” to any smartphone.

        Bridge is BlackBerry specific.

        And i think we’re beating a dead horse when I say that native PIM is coming.

      • Awesome

        Bridge and tethering are two different things

        The PlayBook can “tether” to any smartphone.

        Bridge is BlackBerry specific.

        And i think we’re beating a dead horse when I say that native PIM is coming.

      • Anonymous

        Hey Michael,

        You said one of two reasons. I get the lack of email and calendar but what things can you not able to do without a BB?

      • Anonymous

        The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

    • Tony

      You meet your clients in your car?

      • Anonymous

        The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

    • bulletproof

      But the first ipad was wifi only. Not to mention, you can tether and use your smartphone’s data plan. AT&T is greedy!

  • Max

    LMAO. Worst. Launch. Evar. LOL. Leave it to RIMjob. Still stuck on stupid.

    • Jam

      You are an idiot…this has nothing to do with RIM. Leave it BGR to report wrong info.
      ATT&T is one blocking because people found out if you bridge your blackberry to the playbook you can use the data on your phone to surf the internet etc. on the playbook and the carrier will believe it’s your phone.
      They have no way of knowing this.
      ATT&T is worried about losing money from not selling you tethering plan.

    • TUPAPI

      I think you are stuck on stupid or at least your grammar is.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • http://twitter.com/PatriotCL Patriot Come Lately

    Isn’t this what is normally called tethering? AT&T is wondering how to activate this without alienating thousands of tethering users who pay through the nose for the privilege

  • Scott

    So this might effect the 5 people with a playbook? lol

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JNKVTT7PJMXPYP2GVCIERBQQCU Andrew

    How did they just get the app for testing? So did RIM try to provide at the last minute hoping they could follow through with the free tethering promise? If they did just get, it sucks that RIM took that long giving it to them. Probably trying to be sneaky about it hoping that AT&T would just approve it because of the launch.

    • Anonymous

      I wouldn’t take AT&T’s statement at face value. No other carrier has made this move.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JNKVTT7PJMXPYP2GVCIERBQQCU Andrew

        I agree but just because no other carrier made this move doesn’t mean they won’t or even cared about it. But maybe once they figure out users can access the internet and not just PIM functions, then they are in fact tethering and will require another plan. Otherwise expect a lot of noise from folks who have been legitimately paying for tethering.

      • Anonymous

        The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

      • Anonymous

        Well – the access here isn’t full Internet access; it’s literally BlackBerry apps plus web browser.

        For full access, tethering is still needed, and it’s independent of the bridge.

  • Anonymous

    My guess is that RIM wasn’t willing to pay them enough, so they’re playing “hardball”.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • Anonymous

    figures Andrew Munchbach would post this….just so everyone knows, AT&T CANNOT block the bridge. For those of you who don’t know, go to crackberry for the work around….the carriers cannot block the bridge, just the app for the bridge…Blackberry bridge is something that is run by RIM, nobody else.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

      I was just getting ready to ask if one could sideload this app. I guess it is possible. I wonder how long till ATT demands the post be removed or Crackenberry gets sued…..

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

      I was just getting ready to ask if one could sideload this app. I guess it is possible. I wonder how long till ATT demands the post be removed or Crackenberry gets sued…..

  • Tim Conner

    The only thing you can do with bridge that even resembles tethering is browse the Internet. And you have to use Bridge Browser not the regular Browser. No other apps on the PlayBook can use it for data.

    That’s where the MiFi kicks in!

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

    If only it were free and open like DROID.

    • Anonymous

      The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

    So explain to me again why AT&T buying T-Mobile is a good thing?

    • bjw408h

      BINGO!!!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous

      its more fair since with their 99% or whatever coverage everyone gets screwed instead of just the lucky few :)

  • http://profiles.google.com/andretti2006 erin jackson

    That is just sad. Boo at&t. lets play nice

  • Drew

    In their official statement, “…we want to ensure it delivers a quality experience for our customers”, is such a crock of shit. If they were concerned with “quality experience”, their network would still be shut down because of ongoing testing. That’s code speak for “how can we generate revenue from this”. These are the same fools that blocked BBMaps on your Blackberry to force you to buy TeleNav. They are a sick, sick company.

  • scrub

    The work around is simple. I don’t even own a playbook yet, but I downloaded and installed the bridge app on my Torch simply by clicking the provided link on Crackberry. Honestly now, if you don’t think the Bridge Browser is an awesome concept then you’re a dumb shit. The fact that I can own a WiFi PB and use the best mobile browser experience on a tablet for FREEEEEEEEEE by piggybacking off my Torch is amazing. The only other requirement I would need data service for is Pandora (since I get the push email from pairing my BB anyway) and I’m sure there will be a tethering app letting me do just that.

  • Andrew

    EPIC FAILURE

  • Cornbread

    Bought the Playbook at 1 today, downloaded the ATT bridge at 2 from Crackberry, OTA btw. By 3 I was completely bored with the PB. The bridge email is quick, but the display is crappy with text. The email UI looks exactly like the Galaxy Tab. I thought the idea was cool, but it kind of sucked. The bridge browser as it is called is dogshit in winter slow. PB will be back tomorrow

    • Shnork

      Apple employees/ifans are so abvious nowadays. We’re onto you…

  • bobby

    att can suck my b a l ls

  • http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/ online stores uk

    It’s not fair . . . . . it’s just not fair. I cannot understand the AT&T policies. If we pay for data we should get to use it however we want.

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