6/9/2008 5:00:00 PM #

Wrong price on the 16GB model in your article ... Steve Jobs introduced it as $299 US, not 399. Naturally, Rogers & Apple will continue to stick it to Canadians with an unjustified price increase north of the border, so maybe $399 is closer to reality.

6/9/2008 5:32:00 PM #

Rumor has it that the iphone will be released at $299 on a 3 yr voice and data activation. Which is very reasonable actually.

6/9/2008 5:33:00 PM #

Price should be $299 for 16GB model. Steve Jobs announced that no country will be allowed to sell it for more then the MSRP as set by Apple. So Rogers and company won't be able to gouge us further for being north of the border. We'll just have to see what kind of a rate plan they'll have

6/9/2008 5:41:00 PM #

Whoops! Price corrected.

6/9/2008 6:09:00 PM #

No doubt they will make up for the reduced price by gouging us with overpriced data plans...

6/9/2008 6:47:00 PM #

It wouldn't matter if they gave it away here for free, as the costs for using cellphones are so high here in Canada. How can a poor, third world country such as the Dominican Republic offer cellphones and service at half the price of Canada. There are more than twice the number of cellphones per capita there than in Canada, as the are very AFFORDABLE. I for one won't patronize these crooks, until we get some real competition in this country, and reasonable rates which compare with the rest of the world.

6/9/2008 7:16:00 PM #

I agree fully about the rip off data and cell plans in Canada, however, the Dominican is a bit smaller.

6/9/2008 8:45:00 PM #

"Note: Rogers lans to offer more details on exact rate plans later on. "
Should that read "Rogers Aims" or is Rogers Ians the gentleman who's setting the price plans?

6/9/2008 9:08:00 PM #

Watch the keynote, he very noticeably said "almost" before saying "all countries will be selling it for $199"
How much you wanna bet that at the very least Rogers makes you buy into a $100 a month 3 year data contract.
Thanks but no thanks. I would still rather go for an illegal unlocked one with no data contract.

6/9/2008 9:35:00 PM #

Hey Kris,
What news on the fact that Apple Canada's website says that the iPhone 3G will be available from both Rogers Wireless and Fido? Is the Fido offering confirmed or what news on that?

6/9/2008 9:38:00 PM #

What if I'm on Bell?

6/9/2008 9:45:00 PM #

Rogers and Fido ONLY! time to get our of Bell!

6/9/2008 9:46:00 PM #

i mean "out" not our

6/9/2008 9:54:00 PM #

i know, but if i'm on bell right now
will i be able to use an unlocked iphone with bell

6/9/2008 10:39:00 PM #

Saying the iPhone will be in Canada on July 11th is presumptive at best and misleading at worst. Jobs simply said those countries will be among the first to roll it out in the coming months. Until Rogers says it will be available on the 11th and announces prices and rate plans, it's simply speculation. And it's unlikely Apple could supply enough product to supply a 22 country simultaneous launch even if they wanted to.

6/9/2008 10:46:00 PM #

Of course it's being released on the 11th. It says so on the Apple site, and on the Rogers site. Do some research before posting.

6/9/2008 11:07:00 PM #

what price if you do not want contract?

6/9/2008 11:21:00 PM #

No. You will not. Bell uses a different cellular spectrum. Right now the only GSM provider in Canada is Rogers/Fido.

6/10/2008 12:01:00 AM #

I am pretty sure he meant Dominican Republic as an example. I mean it is outrageous what the data plans cost. To be able to watch a youtube video on your iphone with rogers will probably cost you $15 if you do not have a plan. SERIOUSLY $15 dollars for watching a 4-5 min youtube video!!
BRING ROGERS DOWN!

6/10/2008 12:32:00 AM #

unlocking the iphone will probably be much harder than the first one

6/10/2008 12:32:00 AM #

he means! it a different technology bell and telus use CDMA technology rogers and fido use GSM! example A GSM CARD or "sim Card" CDMA Network work off datacenter and the GSM network work off the SIM Card! 2 TOTALLY DIFFERENT technology!

6/10/2008 12:34:00 AM #

read some news, many containers have been shipped worldwide already

6/10/2008 12:36:00 AM #

YOU HAVE TO GET A CONTRACT! that what apple said in steve jobs keynote! so if you cancel 200$ goes to apple and 200$ goes to rogers!

6/10/2008 12:50:00 AM #

A couple of questions here.
1. Does this iPhone have a memory card slot?
2. What kind of GPS is it, Tom Tom, Garmin, etc?
3. Can you upload GPS s/w to the iPhone?
4. Since Rogers is NOT using 3G but HSPA,which is faster? What about when roaming in the US. AT&T uses 3G?

6/10/2008 12:52:00 AM #

How many MP is the camera on the iPhone and how does it fare with the Nokia N-95 which many people on Rogers seem to be having problems with.

6/10/2008 1:21:00 AM #

1. No.
2. Apple's own proprietary GPS.
3. Undetermined at this time.
4. HSPA is a s type of 3G (UMTS).

6/10/2008 1:53:00 AM #

I'm thrilled the IPhone is coming, however, the biggest drawback thus far is that Rogers Communications has the rights. They already are far too large and can't and don't handle the services they have well. Customer Service is poor. As a current customer for Cable (TV & Internet) I am not happy that I may have to go to them for an IPhone if I choose to own one.

6/10/2008 1:57:00 AM #

2MP
NokiaN95 better in most aspects but on some sites, websites load on the Iphone like 20-35% faster.
N95 is having problems cuz Rogers screws around with the phones before they sell it to you.

6/10/2008 2:06:00 AM #

Ouch, only 2 MP? That's so ancient. What was Apple thinking. I wonder if similar problems will plague the Rogers iPod once Rogers brands it. I also know of one dude that was selling his first gen iPhone for the Rogers N95-4. He's regretting it. Rogers has been sending out NEW refurb units and customers who bought the phone thought they were getting brand new ones! For me, I like the sleekness of the iPhone and larger display too compared to the N95.

6/10/2008 10:57:00 AM #

Not proprietary. Apple is rolling out the new app store, and gps manufacturers will be releasing GPS apps.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/tomtom-already-has-iphone-navigation-software-ready-to-roll/

6/10/2008 11:17:00 AM #

Bell and Telus use the CDMA spectrum for their operation and so are limited to CDMA phones, while Rogers and Fido use GSM and are also limited to GSM phones. Globally, there are more carriers who use GSM than CDMA, so Apple chose to make their first iPhone design a GSM one.
Clearly with this week's announcement that the iPhone will be launching in 70 countries and that there will be pressure from Apple to keep the price of the iPhone low, Apple wants to get their devices into as many hands as possible. No doubt there will be a CDMA version, one that Bell and Telus can use, but as to when... who knows?
Unfortunately, simply unlocking an iPhone 3G won't change the wireless spectrum it operates on, so if you are a Bell or Telus customer, your only option is to wait or switch over to Rogers.

6/10/2008 11:19:00 AM #

It turns out that was a slip on the part of the webmasters at Apple.ca. The announcements this week were only supposed to list and mention Rogers. In response, Rogers is only willing to confirm that there will be more information on Fido and the iPhone 3G coming at a later date.

6/10/2008 11:26:00 AM #

Rogers Wireless and Apple Canada sent information packs to those of use sitting in the media section of the keynote audience as well as provided post-keynote briefings. My information comes directly from the source. It will be launching on July 11th and those are the prices.

6/10/2008 11:45:00 AM #

1. No memory card slot. You will need to either sync your content through iTunes or e-mail it to the phone. One of the new tweaks in iPhone 2.0 software is the ability to save a photo sent to the phone from an e-mail, for just this reason.
2. The built-in GPS can be accessed by any compatible application. You can use the iPhone's own maps feature to track your self or get local information. When the Apps Store launches, there will be a number of software options to try including Looptz, a social network that lets you find your friends through GPS, and Tom Tom is working on offering a version of their software through the Apps store. Expect other big brands to do the same.
3. The Apps Store will offer a range of GPS software and the option to add new maps, POI, etc. will depend upon the software itself, although if the add-on packs are large in size, you'll have to get through iTunes on your computer, rather than over the cellular network.
4. HSPA is just Rogers' own name for their 3G service and here in Canada its available only in the larger city centres. I've tested it out recently using an HTC Shift and the speed matches the 3G demonstration Jobs gave on stage in his keynote. Roaming I'm not sure about yet, i've tried HTC Shift down here and it wasn't connecting with AT&T's 3G service. I still have to follow up with Rogers on it (make sure it wasn't the demo account they gave me to use, etc.).
Where there isn't 3G available, the iPhone will switch over to GSM/EDGE.

6/10/2008 1:13:00 PM #

Will the new iPhone be locked to Rogers SIM only? I have an unlocked 1st-gen iPhone and it's great to be able to use other carriers' SIM when I go overseas. I can tolerate (unwillingly, of course) a contract extension to get my hands on iPhone 3G but not when you can only use it on Rogers.

6/10/2008 1:24:00 PM #

better be Fido too!!!

6/10/2008 3:19:00 PM #

I don't know where you are getting your info but he didn't say that. There are no restrictions as to how much MORE any company can sell an Apple product, however, stores aren't allowed to sell it LOWER than the recommended price unless it's an Apple-sanctioned rebate or a package deal of some sort that Apple has given the OK on. London Drugs ran into that problem when they ran an unauthorized deal a few years ago. Around $300 on a three year deal sounds about right for Rogers. The lack of GSM competition here is sickening. How the CRTC allowed Rogers to buy Fido I will never understand. Time to move...Canada isn't Canada anymore.

6/10/2008 5:18:00 PM #

What if I already have an exisiting Rogers account? I've had one for about a year and 1/2 and I'm in for 3 years total. I really want one of these iPhones too. Do you know what ROgers will do for cases like mine?

6/10/2008 6:03:00 PM #

> Time to move...Canada isn't Canada anymore.
While the CRTC decision was unfortunate and the state of telecom monopolies moreso, I feel certain that on careful examination you'll find that the various reasons for staying mostly outweigh the poor GSM provider selection as a reason for going. Not that there's anything wrong with living in Europe.
Apple's decision to tie the iPhone to various GSM providers in every country where it's available is another matter - a poor choice for a hardware and software provider. When I can buy the phone I want and tie it to the plan I want, I'll consider a smartphone - until then, nah.

6/10/2008 6:11:00 PM #

> No doubt there will be a CDMA version
Interesting statement - I'd say there's a great deal of doubt, just as there is in the long-term future of CDMA. Apple has a history of avoiding multiple versions of their products to an almost maniacal extent, partly because it complicates support but mostly because of the one-size-fits-all ideology of the CEO (which largely works for them, one must admit). Admittedly the support side is largely going to be handled by the GSM provider here, but that ideology remains strong.
I'd like to see it, of course - it's one of the few hopes Canadians have for the kind of demand-based competition that could lead us to reasonable wireless data pricing. I'm just not holding my breath.

6/10/2008 6:29:00 PM #

And in case I've confused anyone, I should point out:
CDMA here is shorthand for CDMA2000, a set of radio standards used by most mobile telephony providers in North America, but rare in the rest of the world.
GSM is the technique used is most places elsewhere, and by some North American providers including Rogers. Technically the standard used by the iPhone 2 is UMTS, which is an intended successor to GSM. It's not compatible with CDMA2000, and very few phones support both.
Using "CDMA" in this way is actually a bit of a misnomer, since the acronym really refers to a "spread-spectrum" technique that's widely used by all sorts of wireless communications, including GSM/UMTS (W-CDMA) and even GPS. But the usage seems to have stuck, which doesn't help the already ample confusion about mobile phone plans. ;)

6/10/2008 10:45:00 PM #

I don't think rogers wireless will give an unlimited data plan. They are too greedy. Imagine the data plan they offer today. It's unbelievably expensive! You charged by the number of bytes as if this virtual thing is gold! You are literally burning money. If they are going to continue doing this then Canada will be left out in technology. I wish more players will come into Canada. Too bad it won't come true. Poor iphone I can't surf the net unless there's wifi with no password....

6/11/2008 8:37:00 AM #

That has changed with the iPhone. Leading up to this week's announcement, Apple ran a survey amongst those who showed interest in the iPhone, but chose not to buy one and found that 56% answered that the issue was price. They realized that this was a major, major issue for them and so they've made the sacrifice to significantly drop the price. With a roll out across 70 countries, Apple is serious about getting this into as many hands as they can as quickly as possible. Their vision involves making money, not off of the phones or even the cellular plans, but from the Apps Store. To do that they will need to protect that low price. With the iPod, their profits came from the sales of the device more than the online sales of music, couldn't be helped do to peer2peer. They had to protect the price from dropping.
On a cellular network their content is better protected against unofficial sharing, so they can be more aggressive. The overwhelming feedback from consumers is a concern about price, price, price, and so Apple is applying pressure to carriers to keep it low.

6/11/2008 8:45:00 AM #

Apple's CEO is also maniacal about making sure that anyone who wants to own one of his products to access his online stores and purchase content can. The iPod works on both Windows and Mac. Expect the iPhone to be just as versatile when it comes to the world's different cellular networks.

6/11/2008 8:49:00 AM #

The camera is only 2MP, but does come with Geo-Tagging.
I've been testing out the Nokia N95 during my trip and indeed it's camera is superior in quality (5MP!) and added features such as zoom, editing, etc. In that respect it beats out the iPhone 3G. I haven't experienced any problems with the camera on the N95 so far.

6/11/2008 8:57:00 AM #

Rogers is remaining tight-lipped on details for now, but based on how the first iPhone was handled with carriers in the States, it will be locked to the SIM card provided by Rogers. And, as with the original iPhone, should there surface a method to unlock the iPhone 3G, that would be an option for you to explore in order to use SIM cards from other providers overseas. I expect that Apple has stepped up their efforts to prevent this though, so it could take some time before that happens.

6/11/2008 8:54:00 PM #

Fido is actually owned by Rogers now, so it makes sense that they would both offer the iPhone.

6/12/2008 7:31:00 AM #

This what i heard from a friend working at rogers.
CRTC is opening up GSM and taking bid by other compagnies to offer GSM services, so far there is Primus that filed a form. I believe he also said that Rogers is scared that our southern friends might come up and place bids on lines.
Any Validity to his Claims?

6/13/2008 1:34:00 PM #

I sell rogers phones and on our sale central its 199 for 8gb 3yr, and 299 16 gb 3 yr... no update on price plans though...

7/3/2008 6:40:00 PM #

Although seems there is great dissatisfaction with the iPhone packages Rogers is proposing;
http://ruinediphone.com/