July 10th, 2008
iPhone Eve in Canada - Technolust and such
OK, even I am getting sick of talking about the iPhone, but, alas, it is the biggest tech news of the past few weeks. Last night I did a quick chat on CP24/CTV in Toronto and this morning I had some more time to dive into the issue of technolust on CBC-Radio - The Current (listen here, love Dan's Love Letter to the iPhone).
When the iPhone first came out in the US last year, I was one of those people who wanted nothing more than to get my hands on the slick little device. After a few months, my fave tech friend Leo Laporte shipped me up an unlocked iPhone (incidentally, Leo is doing a 24-hour live iPhone marathon right now on TWiTLive.tv - get the TWiT Adobe Air app!). I have been, sigh, using the iPhone as an iPod touch for these past six months. I was considering picking up a Rogers iPhone plan when they were announced, but was always skeptical that the plans would be too high (which they were).
Although Rogers is now offering up a data plan at 6GB for $30 (until the end of August), I am going to pass on the iPhone. I'm not keen on having to commit to a 3-year plan, and, quite frankly, I don't think that Rogers is offering up a great voice plan. In other words, I am going to stick with my BlackBerry and my Bell service (so Canadian of me!). But to all you iPhone lovers, can't wait to see your happy faces on Canadian blogs tomorrow ;).
July 10th, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (19)
Posted by: dave | around 2 months ago
I'm so glad to hear you say that Amber. I have been so disappointed by plans offered here is Australia. Locked into contracts and expensive data plans, not really consumer friendly and totally taking advantage of hype. I love my ipod and would love an iphone3g, but not at any cost.
Posted by: Heath | around 2 months ago
I'm just going to stick with my iPod Touch and play with the new Apps. Maybe in a couple years when we get some more competition I'll buy the phone.
Posted by: Jeremy | around 2 months ago
Definitely agree there Amber We were thinking about getting the iPhone for my small business but that's not going to happen.... I'll probably just go get an iPod touch.
Posted by: Nigel Eccles | around 2 months ago
Really enjoyed net@nite 60. There are some cool tech predictions on predictify. There are around 110 live technology predictions here: http://www.hubdub.com/technology We did a funny one which was a horse race between Leo and Kevin Rose but that was a bit of a one off. Most of our questions are like this one: http://www.hubdub.com/m10924/What_Will_Google_Launch_Next
Posted by: Andrew | around 2 months ago
I'm in the same boat. We've had a few unlocked iPhones hanging around the office for the past year or so. They're beautiful phones but as a consumer I'm really rather upset at how Rogers has handled this entire thing. I kind of feel like buying one now would be letting them off the hook for trying to get away with gouging. Perhaps if we see a real change in strategy after this "introductory offer" I'll reconsider. My current contract ends this year and I'm a little bit loathe that there isn't a good alternative to Roger's in Canada. They're all terrible whether it's money grabbing with the iPhone or nickle and diming people with $0.15 for incoming text messages. I'd like to see some genuine competition someday soon.
Posted by: Jeff Campbell | around 2 months ago
I did notice that even though you defended techno-lust on The Current as not being so much like a junkie, the top of your blog page is subtitled "Technology Junkie Feeding My Addiction"(tongue firmly planted in cheek). For the record, my techno-lust does not extend to cell phones, I seem to have escaped that bug. Thankfully as it seems that all the Canadian carries seem intent on collusion and gouging fellow Canadians. Does that mean that I'm not a junkie?
Posted by: Matthew | around 2 months ago
Amber, be thankful, be very very thankful you didn't try to get an iPhone today! The Canadian launch of the iPhone was a complete fiasco, and considering the public relations disaster that the Rogers' price plan has been, I don't know why I am shell shocked! I have had a Rogers cell phone since the early 1990's and today I waited 3.5 hours with the Rogers Video store clerk on hold with a Rogers call centre to upgrade my hardware device (I was fifth in line this morning and I wanted to upgrade my BlackBerry to the iPhone). When we finally got through, even though I am eligible to upgrade my phone under Roger’s criteria, we were told I can't get one unless I give up my employee rate plan and pay to cancel my old contract, oh, and I have to give up my phone number that I’ve had for 8 years. So as not to waste my time today, yesterday I called Rogers to ask if I could upgrade my phone. I was told, certainly sir. A wasted day later, I now realize that no two Roger's employees will ever give you the same answer to the same question. Rogers had its own network issues today and the store I was at this morning took over an hour to activate the first phone, and the entire time I was there, only four phones left the store. When I left, there was no line up and they still had phones. While waiting with the clerk, I realized Roger’s network issues were serious when I attempted calling Rogers on my cell phone using 611 - this turned out to be impossible. And when I eventually got through, the message told me Rogers was "not accepting phone calls at this time"!! They just turned off the phones. Well, after speaking to the VP of Rogers Business Solutions this afternoon, I was told that, in fact, corporate rate plans and Employee Purchase Plans (EPPs - which is what I am on - ie I pay my bill, it's in my name, and I get a special rate because of my employer) - he told me I can't upgrade at this time because the back-end systems and procedures had not been finalized and it would probably be three or four weeks until a customer on a corporate rate plan, or an Empolyee Purchase Plan, will be able to buy an iPhone. But he promised me someone would call me when I could buy one. Whatever. I just might go with another network instead. Besides, by the time Rogers will "allow" me to buy an iPhone the temporary offer of 6 gigs for $30 may have expired (the end of August). The network problems Rogers experienced today and Apple's own network problems compounded the irritation factor to the point that twenty-four hours of fingernails on a chalk board would have been preferable to attempting to buy an iPhone today.
Posted by: Dave | around 2 months ago
Having used the first generation iPhone, I wasn't impressed and sold it. When the iPhone 3G was announced, I was tempted again...until I realized how little has changed. Comparing it to other smartphones, the iPhone 3G is still playing catch up. With even shorter battery life using 3G, I can't imagine not able to swap the battery like pretty much every other phone that was made. And with the added speed, it still won't like me use the phone as a 3G modem (which I use with my current phone). The camera is still pretty standard, without auto-focus and a good flash, and no video capture like other smartphones. Then, there's no memory slot - something I find extremely useful. Safari may be nice on a device, but without Adobe Flash, it's still unable to display much of the web content, including some great applications. One good thing coming out though is the iTunes App Store - at least we're starting to see third-party applications, something that has been happening with Symbian / Nokia platforms for many years. So, I'm staying away from this iPhone, considering what Rogers/Fido are offering. Thanks, but no thanks. Glad you're feeling the same.
Posted by: S. | around 2 months ago
I agree having only 1 carrier with poor plans kind of takes the shine off the phone. I've had mine 3 days and frankly it truly is everything I thought it would be, and a little more. I don't understand the battery criticisms, I've never, ever, ever seen a person swap batteries on a phone whilst out and about, phones I've owned, whilst having swappable batteries, are total pigs to take apart to actually do it - its much easier to simply charge the phone using a USB cable or car charger!
Posted by: MattY | around 2 months ago
I already pay Rogers almost $300 a month (home phone, 2 cells, high speed internet, HD cable) as it is. I have an iTouch and a separate phone and I'm happy. I'll stick with what I have.
Posted by: Amber Mac | around 2 months ago
All great comments, thanks for stopping by ;)!
Posted by: AnthonyW | around 2 months ago
I live in the UK and we only have the Iphone on one carrier , which is 02 mobile. By the sound of it , there about as groovy as rodgers.The iphone is funky and all , but i'm kinda loving my blackberry. It works every time and just does the job , I thought the call quality on the iphone was'nt so hot to be honest.! And with the new Blackberry Bold coming out - that get's my vote over the Iphone , put it this way - at least no one will complain about poor service and lack of call plans.
Posted by: mark goldman | around 2 months ago
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Posted by: mike | around 2 months ago
hi amber why did you leaves city tv how long did you work there for
Posted by: Phil Teoli | around 2 months ago
Hi Amber, I might be a little late with a comment on the iphone, so I apologize in advance... The plans are ridiculous, which you already know.. But the new plan isn't that much better... If I wanted to take the 60$ plan plus the 20$ a month texting extra, it would cost me 103$ (which includes all those admin fees). If I take the new plan, it saves me 6 bucks... Seriously not a very good bargain... I would love to own an iPhone and I could get the handset free because of my Fido dollars, but it just isn't worth it for me to fork up 100$+ per month... I know I would lose some features but I would go for an iPod touch instead.. Cheaper on long run.. Thanks and continue the great job on Command N and Net@Nite....
Posted by: Phil Teoli | around 2 months ago
Sorry Amber... The new plan consists of the plan I presently have with voicemail and caller ID and add the 30$ for the data plan... have a nice day..
Posted by: Waclaw | around 2 months ago
Amber, A site on your 'my friends' list is showing up as a 'Reported Attack Site!'. A guy is well known to everybody: http://www.mikelaz.com/ Can you ask Mike L. what he is up to these days? Love commandN. Enjoy Lake Louise. Regards, Waclaw Koscielniak
Posted by: Mr Article | around 26 days ago
I have an iphone, i was sick to death of it after a week or something, it's something you want because it looks so techically advanced, and it is, but it's so boring and lame after the novelty wears off (a week after getting one). Damn.
Posted by: Chris Luckhardt | around 2 months ago
I may be in the same boat as you, Amber. The revised data plan is much better, but I don't trust Rogers one bit. If anything, I'll be the guy that dives in near the end of August after seeing the reaction/feedback to the device and service after a few weeks. If anyone can seriously screw this up, it's Rogers.