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Posts with tag canada

Telus announces HTC Touch Diamond for a summer release

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jul 3rd 2008 @ 3:00PM Breaking News


Though the Sprint version is the most well-scooped CDMA variant thus far, Telus is actually becoming the first carrier 'round these parts to announce the Touch Diamond imbued with a little EV-DO for your data-consumption pleasure. The phone will run $149.99 CAD (which is just about a wash in US dollars) on a three-year contract, accompanied by data plans ranging from $15 for email and instant messaging to $30 for email, IM, and web browsing. Sprint, Verizon, we anxiously await your press releases.

Samsung bringing the Instinct to Canada next

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jul 3rd 2008 @ 12:31PM


Fired up to capitalize on some of the hype Sprint has managed to drum up for the Instinct down in the States, Samsung's taking its iPhone fighter north of the border for a promised intro later this summer. Bell Mobility is the lucky partner (seriously, Telus, you probably should've hustled Samsung a little harder for this one), launching at price points ranging from $149.95 up to $449.95 for a three-year contract all the way down to zero commitment. Features and software look like they're all carrying over from their stateside cousin, although the UI's looking just a little bit less Sprint-ified (read: no yellow tinge). Nice.

[Via MobileSyrup]

Update: There are rumors that Telus is slated to pick it up, too, but we haven't seen anything solid just yet. We'll let you know.

Update 2: Yep, Telus is down with it -- exclusivity be damned! Thanks, howi!

Samsung m530 coming to Bell in Canadian Olympic Team livery

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jul 1st 2008 @ 9:01PM


Hey Canadians: looking for a quick, easy, cheap (well, sort of cheap) way to show some national pride? We think we've got just the ticket, and so does Bell. Turns out they'll be launching the m530 music flip with Canadian Olympic Team branding next month for $99.95 CAD (about $99) on a three-year plan or $299.95 CAD (about $298) prepaid. You're not going to blow anyone away with the features, though -- unless your friends and family are blown away by barn-burners like 1.3 megapixel cameras, stereo Bluetooth, and somewhat unattractive external music controls.

[Via Mobile In Canada]

Telus getting enV2 as "KEYBO" -- seriously?

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jul 1st 2008 @ 2:02PM


We're hearing that Telus will be ushering in a whole new age of Texter's Thumb before too long with the launch of the curiously-named "KEYBO," a rebrand of the enV2 found on Verizon in the States. EV-DO data, a media player, and a 2 megapixel camera make this a solid choice for SMS maniacs who want something just a little sexier and fancier than the Rumour (itself a rebrand of Sprint's Rumor). We understand where the name comes from -- sort of -- but that doesn't mean it's right.

Rogers iPhone 3G in-store activation process gets detailed

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 @ 9:39AM


For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iPhone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we've stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn't seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an "Activation Only Mode," which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you're anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.

[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Rogers announces iPhone 3G plans, unlimited data isn't one of them

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 27th 2008 @ 9:05AM Breaking News

Here we have it, iPhone 3G pricing for our better mannered, gun-toting friends up north. All the plans from Rogers Wireless require that lovely, three-year contract and include visual voicemail, free evenings and weekends, and unlimited WiFi at all Rogers and Fido hotspots. The plans start at $60/month for 150 minutes of voice and just 400MB of data before topping out at $115/month for 800 minutes voice and up to 2GB of data. None of these plans offer unlimited data as previously rumored. See the details after the break.

Continue reading Rogers announces iPhone 3G plans, unlimited data isn't one of them

iPhone news roundup: subsidies, Flash, Canada, and beatings

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 21st 2008 @ 5:31PM


Psst... you hear that there's a new iPhone coming out next month? Yeah, us too. Here are a few iPhone stories we've been tracking from the past handful of days:
  • An analyst for Oppenheimer claims that AT&T is going to be shelling out $325 for each and every iPhone 3G it sells, compared to an average of $200 for other devices on the carrier's shelves. What's more, devices sold in Apple stores (as opposed to AT&T stores) will cost AT&T another $100 for some reason, bringing the grand total to $425 -- not including the $199 or $299 the customer is paying for the 8GB and 16GB models, respectively. Where Oppenheimer is getting its figures isn't exactly clear, but we suppose it's believable -- and as the analyst suggests, the higher subsidy reflects AT&T's confidence that they'll be able to recoup the loss with a higher ARPU.
  • The on-again, off-again saga of Adobe Flash on the iPhone continues, with the company's CEO trumpeting during its Q2 earnings call that it now has a version working in the SDK's emulator. That's all well and good, but there's still no sign that Apple wants Flash on the iPhone, and since Cupertino's still the ultimate gatekeeper here, Adobe's efforts could still all be for naught.
  • Canada's Rogers has finally decided to stop playing coy and has replaced the silhouette of the mystery device launching on July 11 on its site with the real deal. You weren't fooling anyone anyhow, guys.
  • A Columbus, Ohio bus rider was unceremoniously beaten this week in an attempt to nab his iPhone as other riders calmly looked on, showing no emotion whatsoever -- a sad state of affairs, to say the least. Fortunately, the victim was able to hang on to the goods but suffered some injuries in the scuffle. If it had been an iPhone 3G, we'd have to summon every ounce of willpower not to have a go at swiping it ourselves, but an iPhone 1? Seriously, come on.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - $325 subsidy [via Mac Rumors]
Read - Flash working in iPhone emulation
Read - iPhone on Rogers
Read - Bus rider beaten for his iPhone

Fido fetches Nokia's simplistic 3500

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 @ 5:50PM

While most of us wait for "something really big" to land on Canada's Fido on July 11th, those looking for just the basics have one more option as of today. The Nokia 3500 candybar has arrived, packing Bluetooth, tri-band GSM connectivity, a microSD card slot, 2-megapixel camera, MP3 player and a battery good for up to four hours of straight yappin'. If that's plenty for you, it's available now for $100 sans a Fido agreement, $90 with a 2-year plan and just $15 with a mind-boggling 3-year contract.

[Via MobileInCanada]

Rogers' and FIDO's iPhone 3G pricing and data plans revealed?

by Sean Cooper, posted Jun 19th 2008 @ 10:03AM


Howardforums user i.Fido (purveyor of fine rumors on several occasions) seems to have let the cat out of the bag as to what Canadians are likely going to be shelling out for plans with the iPhone 3G launch on July 11. Pricing seems to be set at $199 and $299 for the 8GB and 16GB handsets as new activations or for upgrades to a qualifying 2 or 3-year plan. Yes, you'll also need to grab yourself a data and voice plan, and options include a $30 unlimited Consumer Data Plan -- it's about freakin' time -- or $45 Enterprise Data Plan. Both of these include Visual Voicemail when subscribed to a voicemail plan, though, only the Corp. plan seems to let you get at your Exchange server for push mail. Of course, all is not lost if you don't qualify for the upgrade, as the note goes on to say that "Rogers has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades." so we can only hope. True to what we've already heard, activations will be done in-store, you'll only be allowed to pick up three at a time, and prepaid's a no-go. So now that those details have potentially been put to rest, tell us Canada, still getting iPhone 3G next month?

Fido and Rogers both nabbing the iPhone in Canada

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 13th 2008 @ 11:56AM


Yes, Fido and Rogers have now both committed to bringing the iPhone 3G to Canada on July 11, but let's be honest: that just means Rogers is getting the iPhone, since Fido is Rogers. It's no coincidence, then, that both carriers will be offering the thing for $199 and $299 CAD (about $195 and $293) for the 8GB and 16GB models, respectively. There's a nasty catch, though: unlike AT&T in the States -- and presumably many other carriers offering the iPhone 3G on a heavy subsidy -- these puppies are going to tie you up for a full three years instead of the typical two. Canadian carriers and their customers are already well acquainted with the three-year contract concept, true, but that doesn't make it suck any less.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read - Fido
Read - Rogers

Canada's AWS auction now more lucrative than the US' was

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 9th 2008 @ 8:47PM

Though the final paycheck to the US government will almost certainly far exceed that going to Ottawa when bidding closes, here's an interesting little stat: the companies involved in Canada's ongoing AWS auction will be paying far more per megahertz per covered resident. The total value of the bidding is now up around $3.16 billion CAD (about $3.11 billion), and even back when it was hovering in the mid-$2 billion CAD range, that put the per-resident valuation up over 80 cents -- far more than 54 cents paid when the action closed in the US back in 2006. Helping to drive up those numbers are Rogers and Telus, who are reaching deep into their respective wallets to pony up serious cash for the fresh spectrum. Don't you feel loved, Canadians?

Bell finally launches LG Vantage

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 6th 2008 @ 12:12PM


Your yank friends south of the border know this one better as the Glimmer for Alltel (and soon for US Cellular), but you Bell customers out there in Canada are finding this one in stores now as the Vantage. The Shine-esque slider stakes most of its reputation on a full touchscreen to augment the numeric keypad, but you also get EV-DO, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, and up to 4GB of expansion via microSD. Just be sure to bring your wallet, and preferably those of a couple friends: contract-free it'll run you $424.95 CAD (about $418), while a full three years of servitude gets that knocked down to a more palatable $199.95 CAD ($195).

[Via cell phones etc. and MobileSyrup]

Rogers snags BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to keep 8110 company

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 5th 2008 @ 10:09AM


Well, this certainly looks familiar, doesn't it? Yep, this had been rumored to go down for a couple weeks now, which dovetails nicely with the launch of Rogers' Home Calling Zone service, offering up unlimited long-distance Canadian calls via WiFi for $20 CAD a month. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 comes in sporting the 2 megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, SureType keyboard, and all the other spoils we've become accustomed to from the phone's other launches for $149.99 CAD (about $148) on a three-year agreement.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Rogers right behind T-Mobile, launches Nokia 5310 XpressMusic

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 2nd 2008 @ 2:38PM


Nokia's 9.9mm wonder with the 3.5mm headphone jack, the 5310 XpressMusic, has found its way north from T-Mobile to Canada's Rogers. In a best-case scenario, the phone will run you $99.99 CAD (about $101) on a three-year contract after rebate, which includes a 1GB microSD card in-box -- but let's be honest, we both know that you'll want something just a little bit beefier than 1GB if you're serious enough about your music to put this one in your pocket, so expect to spend just a little bit more by the time it's all said and done.

[Via MobileSyrup]

Flaunt your fab phone: Fido scoops up Sony Ericsson Z750i

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 29th 2008 @ 10:46AM


Hey, their catchphrase, not ours! Canada's Fido has gone public with Sony Ericsson's latest midrange 3G clam for North America -- the latest released one, anyway -- and they're celebrating the occasion with a nice little package deal. Purchasers of the Z750i are entitled to a free Sony Ericsson Bluetooth headset -- though it'll take a three-year contract to win you the freebie, and we're pretty sure Bluetooth will have been succeeded by at least three or four technologies during that eon. Meanwhile, your children, their children, and their children will have all been born, man will have set foot on Pluto, and RAZR V3s will still be sold on carriers the world over. We digress, though; you can pick it up for $100 CAD (about $101) now on that three-year plan with a data package included. Silver appears to be the only color available at the moment, though we wouldn't be surprised to see that palette expand in the near future.

[Via MobileSyrup]




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