Taiwan's Quanta Computer has begun volume production of RIM's tablet PCs. Shipments of the PlayBook tablets are expected to top 1 million units in the first quarter of this year, overtaking expected shipments of Motorola Xoom tablets which are forecast at 700,000 to 800,000, The Digitimes reports citing industry sources. RIM will launch the PlayBook with Wi-Fi functionality in March ahead of a 3G version with push mail features. In the second quarter, RIM is expected to launch a 4G-enabled PlayBook with Sprint Nextel. Motorola plans to roll out Wi-Fi and 3G-enabled Xoom tablets, which are outsourced to Compal Electronics, in the first quarter and then a LTE version in the second quarter with Verizon Wireless, sources said.
