Apple’s New iPhone Availability in Canada?
Steve Jobs officially announced the much anticipated Apple iPhone during the opening keynote yesterday at Macworld 2007. The phone has been in production for five years and features a 3.5inch touch wide screen display, core animation based on OSX, a rich HTML email client and a ton of other bells and whistles. Initial price points are a little heavy starting at $499USD for a 4GB and $599 for an 8GB model. iPhone will be available exclusively this June through Cingular, the largest US wireless carrier.
That’s swell for US residents, but what about Canadians? When can we expect the iPhone in Canada? It turns out that Apple will not be releasing a CDMA version of the iPhone which eliminates Bell/Aliant as a carrier. Looks like we’re stuck with Rogers, the largest Canadian GSM wireless carrier. If there’s one thing Canada lacks it’s a good ol’ battle between Telecommunications providers.
I have spoken with several representatives from Rogers regarding the availability of the iPhone and it turns out that they are in fact planning on providing the iPhone to Canadians. There are no official statements but the average wait time is 6-8 months minimum once they become available in the US (check the track record with previous smartphones). I’m also told the iPhone will be available on a two or three year contract, and a data plan must also be purchased (data plans in Canada aren’t cheap). Looks like an accurate release date in Canada is sometime Q4 2007 and into early 2008. About the same time that the phone will be available to European carriers.
First Apple iPhone Review by Walt Mossberg
Latest Apple iPhone News
- June 29th, 2007 – Apple iPhone now available on Apple’s online store
- Disassembling an iPhone. A look inside the iPhone.
[tags]iPhone, Canada, Rogers, Cingular, Apple, MacWorld, Digg[/tags]
I am not so sure this debate is even valid. The only thing in contrast to other PDA’s is the interface. Other technologies also perform the same functions as the iphone, they just aren’t as fancy. I feel that Apple and ATTT are simply offering a red lamborgini instead of yellow one. The design is nice and some of the functions are nice, but I’d rather stick to something that has a reasonable price point than buy something out of shear want from companies that are obviously gouging, preying on consumerism and exploiting us. I say we all just boycott the purchase, (I want one too) as enticing as it may be, it’s really a kick in balls to even accept the notion. To those who have already purchased this status symbol, you’re all a bunch of dumb ass’s. And you’re just perpetuating things on a grander scale. Do us all a favor don’t buy the damn thing, providers and apple will have to lower the prices and offer better service packages. By the way, a good way to measure consumer response is to release the product in smaller areas, so if the iphone fly’s in the U>S jobs will release it in other countries, so far it’s been about a year since it’s release and I have yet to see it in canada, so sales couldn’t be that great. Also, whats the point of releasing in canada if the data rates are so low, people get better data rates from current pda’s, since the information being uploaded is in low/simple formats ie. text instead of fancy graphics… with graphics – things are slow.. and will remain this way. I think it’ll be a long time before the iphone can even function like the commercials depict. They need to slow that shit down… and hand us the real deal. cuz it’s not that fast at all – and really your all being sucked in by slick commercials (read between the lies yo!). Stick with your current pda, wait till the price drops and the connections can accommodate the technology. In addition to my drunken rant, what the hell is with the price point on these things, like I am gunna run out and throw down 600 for a freak’n phone. I guess the question is: is this product intended as a real need in the business world, or is it just a gimmick defined by slick advertising. I say gimmick! aimed at anyone who perceives an object as a definition to status or self worth. So, go buy it, waste your hard earned or stolen cash. see if I care, I’ll still have my $600.00 and a smile on my face when I watch some mofo flashing their useless toy around.
hey all….i think apple startegy of offering Iphone WIth Plans is pathetic…i’ve been hearing about canadaian compi in reagrds to its service providers..it’ll be hard for them to sell di gadget
i hope it come to INDIA soon…no matter if it comes with plan or wat call rates in india are very very very cheap…even d data transfer thing…..$4usd for unlimited transfer with great speed…….its almost next to free
i m dying to get dat gadget handy
I have been a loyal Rogers customer for well over a decade! I have been an extremely loyal Apple customer for much longer than that!! When it was announced that the new G3 iPhone was to be released in Canada on July 11/2008, I was excited to say the least.
On June 12/2008 I called Rogers and asked about upgrading my phone to an iPhone. I was told that it could be done and that it would cost me $99 (a $100 discount off the offered price of $199) plus a $35 admin fee but that I would need to sign up for a 3 year contract. No problem, I couldn’t wait.
On July 10,2008, one day before the launch I called Rogers again to make sure that everything was a go ( just like Christmas Eve…lol ). Now I got a different price of $224 plus the $35 admin fee plus the 3 year contract. The change bothered me but I was still considering getting one.
On the day of the launch I went into a Rogers store and was that it would cost me $599 or $199 if I got a special form signed by my employer. ( I work for a large company and by using their affiliation I get a bit of a price break on service ).
This inconsistency now bothered me so I called back to Rogers on the following Monday to clarify all the different answers but alas, I was told another answer. I was quoted $699 minus a $100 credit so $599.
Things were getting worse!!
I decided to send an email to Rogers and complain about the confusion that I was facing. It was worse this time and I quote
“Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with details on a hardware
upgrade on your account because you have a Company Code on your account
in which you qualify for special discounts and tiers for the hardware
upgrade program. Our system does not allow us to review the models
available and the price because of the fact that you receive special
pricing and we are the Customer Service department via email only.”
I can’t understand why they cannot communicate with the other department and I feel ignored. I plan on finishing my 16 months on my present contract and then deciding whom to deal with.