4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook Coming Next Week?

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) is finally gearing up to launch its long-awaited 4G LTE-enabled PlayBook tablet, according to a new report.

As reported by Mobile Syrup, an internal document from Canadian mobile service Bell indicates that the 4G LTE-enabled tablet will launch on July 31 for $549.95. There's no word yet as to whether the new model will be released in the U.S.

RIM has long promised that a 4G LTE PlayBook was in the works, but has not yet announced a launch date. The company first announced plans to launch a 4G tablet more than a year ago, , but the device has yet to hit the market.

During an earnings call last month, CEO Thorsten Heins said the and will launch "in the near future."

A RIM spokeswoman declined to comment about the rumor when contacted by PCMag.

"Thorsten has said on a few occasions that an LTE version of our BlackBerry PlayBook is coming," the spokeswoman said in an email. "We will announce it when we are ready to launch it. Until that time, we won't comment on any speculation about an LTE BlackBerry PlayBook."

The new model will be similar hardware-wise to the original PlayBook, with the addition of a 4G LTE antenna. According to Mobile Syrup, the device will run OS 2.0 and boast a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1024 by 600, a 1.5-GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4800 mAh battery, and will only come in a 32GB version. It'll also have a 5-megapixel rear camera that shoots 1080p HD videos, as well as a 3-megapixel front-facing camera.

The storied PlayBook hit the market in April 2011, but by December RIM announced it would take a $485 million hit related to lackluster sales of the tablet. The company last month and said it shipped 260,000 PlayBook tablets during the second quarter, down from more than 500,000 the previous quarter.

For more, see PCMag's full review of the and the slideshow below.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 4 p.m. Eastern with a statement from RIM.