PlayBook 'Bridge' App Unavailable for AT&T BlackBerrys

Purchasers of Research in Motion's (NASDAQ:RIMM) new PlayBook tablet who are hoping to read emails and access contacts by connecting their AT&T (NYSE:T) BlackBerry smartphones are out of luck, according to a CNET report, which said AT&T is not yet supporting the required 'Bridge' AppWhile AT&T said the reason is that the carrier hasn't tested the app, which is required for PlayBook users to access their emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, and use BlackBerry Messenger, some people believe it could just be that the company doesn't want users getting around its tethering charge, according to the report.One criticism of the just-released BlackBerry tablet has been that it lacks native apps for email, contacts, and calendars and instead needs to connect to a BlackBerry smartphone using the Bridge app. Without it, these users are left in the dark, unless they have access to this content over the Web.RIM has said it would add a standalone email app to the PlayBook as a software update.Some, on the other hand, see this tethering requirement as a plus, as it allows users to use a BlackBerry's 3G Internet connection without the need to subscribe to a tethering plan from the carrier, for which AT&T usually charges $20 per month.According to the report, while Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) are allowing the app to be downloaded, they would not say whether they approve of this bypassing of tethering fees.Meanwhile, CNET posted an unofficial workaround for AT&T users to get the app on their devices.