Gizmodo Australia » rogers

8GB iPhone 3GS Rumour Refuses To Die (Because It Might Be True)

John Herrman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:35:14 +0000

When we asked Rogers about the 8GB iPhone 3GS semi-featured on their website, they said this: “There is no 8GB 3GS iPhone.” Case closed! Except this rumour is back, with evidence. Someone at Rogers is either confused, lying, or both.

The latest piece of info allegedly comes from a Rogers employee, who snapped us a shot of their Hardware Upgrade Sales Flow system, shown above. Here’s what he had to say about it:

It clearly shows that an 8GB 3GS has been added to our stock list and is the same price as the 3G coming in at 99$…

The first listing is showing 74.00$ (promo price with data plan and minus customers 25$ discount)

The second listing shows the phone if the customer does not choose a data plan, which is normall 299$ minus said $US25 discount, so 274$

I think that when 3G stock runs out they are going to build 99$ 3GSs since those are the parts they are ordering, might as well keep the parts list minimal…

This is the second such internal reference to a 8GB 3GS to come from Rogers in as many weeks, not to mention their recent website fiasco, where an 8GB 3GS was listed in a feature comparison chart, then deleted as “a mistake.”

Here’s what’s especially weird: When a company gets caught out like this, they usually have two main options. Either they just admit that the leak is true, or they issue a giveaway non-denial, which effectively accomplishes the same thing. Of course, there’s the third, last-ditch option, which is to just straight lie. Rogers’ denial was flat and unequivocal, but it’s totally within the realm of possibility that if the alternative is blowing a big announcement for the notoriously vindictive Apple, a company might be willing to say just about anything.

So is this really happening? On their own, none of these incidents are very convincing. But three unconnected leaks? That’s a little too much to ignore, even for a sceptic.—Thanks, Mr Rogers!

Is Apple Releasing An 8GB iPhone 3GS? (Probably Not)

John Herrman — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:33:30 +0000

Would Apple really ship something so weirdly regressive and line-mudding as that? Yes, according to Canadian carrier Rogers’ website. Also, no, according to Canadian carrier Rogers’ website, and salespeople. Let’s take a gander at the evidence!

First, the above chart: it clearly indicates the existence of an 8GB 3GS—look at that checkmark!—which seems to lend credence to an earlier, shakier report from BGR that the carrier would launch an 8GB version of the handset. But then, this:

That’s from the same site, on the front page. If there was an 8GB version of the 3GS, it’s safe to assume it’d be cheaper, and just as safe to assume that Rogers would advertise this fact. Rogers spokespeople were unavailable for comment this morning, but we can confirm their salespeople know nothing of the device, telling us that the only 8GB iPhone available is the 8GB 3G. Of course, the chart could reflect leaked info about some future announcement, but I’m leaning toward some intern screwing up a chart over a bizarre, irrational shakeup to Apple’s—and by proxy, Rogers, AT&T, 02 and others’—product line. [MacRumors via BGR]

Purported Rogers Phone Roadmap Makes Me Want To Move To Canada (Not Really)

John Herrman — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:50:10 +0000

Who says Canada sucks for gadget lovers? This leaked Rogers/Fido roadmap says they’ll get just about everything next year, including a 3G Blackberry Pearl Flip and a Storm with (ohgod) Wi-Fi.

The full handset list, as transcribed by BGR, is here:

* Blackberry 82XX Pearl Flip (3G version of 8220 Pearl Flip but with GPS, WiFi, and video calling)
* Blackberry 9520 Storm (North American 3G GSM bands and 802.11 b/g WiFi)
* HTC Touch 3G
* HTC Touch Pro
* HTC Touch Viva
* Motorola MOTOZINE ZN5
* Motorola Q11
* Motorola VE66
* Nokia N79
* Nokia N85
* Nokia N96
* Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
* Samsung M8800 Pixon
* Sony Ericsson Xperia X1a
* Sony Ericsson C905

Some prices are still sometime horrific, natch, but this handset selection—which includes the hitherto unheard of 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi Pearl Flip and Wi-Fi Storm handsets—provides some relief for the long, dark winter of the gadget soul that is life in Canada. [HowardForums via BGR]

Rogers Caves, Offers 6GB iPhone 3G Monthly Data Plan for $30

John Mahoney — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:38:04 +0000

Canucks screamed, Rogers listened. Word from the North this morning is that Rogers will be offering a promotional 6GB data plan for $30 bucks a month if you activate a three-year contract before August 31–not the unlimited data we Yanks will be using, but pretty close. Click on for the full release from the horse’s mouth. [Rogers]

Calling all iPhone 3G fans!

Select Rogers Plus stores to open early coast-to-coast on July 11 Launch promotions to include limited time 6GB data offer

TORONTO, July 9 /CNW/ – In anticipation of iPhone 3G launch on July 11, Rogers Wireless today announced plans to open the doors of select Rogers Plus retail stores across Canada in advance of regular hours. Starting at 8:00 am July 11, Canadians will be able to purchase the new iPhone 3G at special launch day events to be held at six Rogers Plus stores across the country. Be among the first in Canada to get the next generation iPhone 3G and have the choice of a 6GB data plan through a limited time promotional price offer. “As Canada’s leading wireless carrier, Rogers is excited to bring iPhone 3G to Canadians even sooner, allowing our customers to be amongst the first in the world to experience this amazing mobile innovation,” says John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. “To celebrate its launch on Canada’s fastest wireless network, we’re rolling out the red carpet with special events at six Rogers Plus stores and a limited time price promotional data offer from coast-to-coast.” iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast(*) as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.

Rogers Launch Promotions —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- The following Rogers Plus stores in these cities will open their doors at 8:00 a.m. (all times local) on Friday, July 11 for advance purchases of the Apple iPhone 3G: Toronto: 112-10 Dundas Street East Montreal: 1015 rue St. Catherine Ouest Ottawa: 690 Bank Street Halifax: Unit 265, 7001 Mumford Road Calgary: 5244 Falsbridge Gate, NE Vancouver: 2097 West Broadway

Customers attending launch day events at these Rogers Plus stores will be treated to a free early bird breakfast and have a chance to win Rogers Wireless prizes. Effective July 11, and as a limited time promotional offer for customers who activate by August 31 on a three year contract, a data-only offering of 6GB of data for $30 per month is being made available that can be added to any in-market voice plan. For example, with 6GB of data, iPhone 3G users can visit 35,952 web pages, or send and receive 157,286 emails, or watch 6,292 minutes of YouTube videos each and every month.(xx) New Canadian iPhone 3G customers will also have the choice to select from Rogers Wireless’ existing voice and smartphone data plans and/or additional features to best suit their needs, or from Rogers Wireless’ value bundled plans specifically for iPhone 3G. Existing Rogers Wireless customers can keep their current voice service plan and select a separate data plan to meet their needs or choose from other plans after checking their individual upgrade eligibility. Starting July 11, iPhone 3G will be available at participating locations across Canada, including select Rogers Plus, Rogers Video, and Rogers Wireless retail locations and at the following specially selected authorised Rogers Wireless dealers: WirelessWave, TBooth and Wireless etc. iPhone 3G can also be purchased online at www.rogers.com and through Rogers’ customer service at 1-888-764-3771. For a complete store listing, visit http://your.rogers.com/mq/mqlocator.asp. Due to anticipated high demand, there is a maximum purchase of two iPhone 3G per customer.

(*) Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds may vary due to a variety of factors. (xx) Based on live trials of iPhone 3G on Rogers HSPA network, July 2008

Apple Not Selling iPhones in Canadian Apple Stores on Launch Day

Jason Chen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:41:58 +0000

Apple’s apparently so fed up with the high pricing that Rogers is shoving into Canadian iPhone owners’ faces that there will be no iPhone 3Gs sold at Apple Stores in Canada this Friday. This follows up Apple’s previous action of diverting stock from Canada to Europe, and really sets the tone that they’re unhappy with Rogers’ $60 for 150 minutes, 75 SMS messages and 400MB data plan. So what’s the deal? Canadians who still want one will have to line up early to get one of the 10-20 units per store that Rogers is getting. If we were you, we’d stay home and wait for Rogers to admit defeat, stop slapping its customers in the face and lower its prices. [Apple Insider]

Canadians Write Angry Letter to Steve Jobs Over iPhone Plan in the Great White North

Gizmodo US Edition — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Over a year after their Southern neighbours, Canadians are finally getting their hands on the magical iPhone. But Rogers Communications, the only carrier with a contract to sell the phone, has a data plan that makes AT&T look positively philanthropic. A US$75 a month plan comes with a mandatory 3-year contract, 100 text messages, 300 weekday minutes, and a 750MB cap on 3G usage. To combat this injustice, Canadians have appealed to the top dog himself, Steve Jobs, in a letter asking him to intervene on their behalf.

The letter, which can be found on ruinediphone.com asks Apple’s head honcho to “take a look at all these disappointed people” and do something! It also includes a petition, which has garnered over 10,600 signatures at last count. Do our friends to the North a favour and sign the fracking thing, eh?

Rogers has argued that its top data plan, 2GB a month for US$115, is more than enough for most users and that an unlimited plan would “end up costing customers more for what they don’t use.” Hmmm, sounds suspiciously like they’re taking a page from the book of the cable industry over here. [Fortune]