iPhone - just wait

Many people hope Rogers get burned with this whole iPhone debacle.

I hope Rogers does get burned.  But the only way for that to happen is for iPhone lovers to stay out of Rogers stores this Friday. If Canada is the only place where sales of the iPhone are poor Rogers will have egg all over it's face.

It's a waiting game. Because no one actually needs an iPhone this Friday, I encourage everyone to wait at least a week or two before buying and let Rogers make the next move.

What I just emailed to Apple

Dear Apple,

I am writing to ensure that you are aware of the situation surrounding the release of the iPhone in Canada.

The sole supplier of the iPhone in Canada is first, asking every Canadian interested in the iPhone to sign a 3 year contract - way too long for a mobile agreement. What happens when a better iPhone is released? No one in Canada will able to buy it.

Second, not only are the data prices way too high, there isn't even an option for us to sign up for an unlimited data plan like there is in the US. What's an iPhone if you can't use the internet on it? Just another phone which isn't worth buying.

I wish we could get a plan here that came close to what AT&T offers in the US or something comparable to what the rest of the world is being offered. Unfortunately Canada isn't really seeing the release of the iPhone this month, we are just seeing the release of another phone with a bunch of unaffordable options.

If there's anything you can do to make the iPhone work the way it's meant to in Canada, there's a country-load of people that would love to use it.

In the keynote adress Steve Jobs promised the iPhone would be affordable. Well in Canada, it's mission failed for Apple.

O.L.

getthefactsonrogersiphone.com thinks I'm right - I think they're right

getthefactsonrogersiphone.com has listed me as one their five main supporters.  

And so they should.  I think they're absolutely right in bringing to attention the way we are being held ransom by the telcom industry in this country.

I'm obviously talking about the iPhone's data rates for Canada.  Rogers-Fido's data rates for the iPhone are outrageous.  The iPhone is built to use the internet.  That's what it does.  Between iTunes downloads, Apps downloads, web Apps (those that only run online), GPS maps, and of course web browsing and email, the iPhone is a voracious data eating machine.  

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OPEN LETTER TO ROGERS:

Hey Ted!  

It's not a phone with some web stuff in it.  It's a web-based computer that fits in your pocket, with some phone stuff in it. 

Yours,

O.L.

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That's the one thing I believe Rogers is missing the boat on here.  They seem to think that the iPhone is just a phone.  They are "just" people (see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium).  What they fail to understand is that it's the next generation in phone technology.  And in order to use it to it's fullest capacity it needs the internet, lots of internet.  To put it terms Rogers might understand, it's like buying a high-def TV and not subscribing to high-def TV - Kalitchnakoff looks squished.

I applaud getthefactsonrogersiphone.com.  In particular check out their Facts page and find out what your $60 / 400MB plan actually buys you.  Rogers tells you 3,000 web pages?  Wait till your first bill comes in...

I'm not interested in picking on Rogers or Fido here, but if Bell can offer unlimited data for $10 on Samsung's Instinct phone, maybe Rogers need to rethink what they're doing.  

Please don't get me wrong.  I like Rogers.  I actually love Fido and there's no way I'm giving up that service but I really, really, would love to love the iPhone more.  The only way to love it though, is to use it - internet and all.  But if that's not going to happen because of high data rates then maybe the song was right.  If you love the iPhone, set it free.  Don't buy it this Friday and wait for to Rogers to wake up and drop the prices.

Unlimited data for $30!!! - or get a touch.

Rogers-Fido iPhone data rate is rediculous

Don't buy the iPhone in Canada!

Data is what the iPhone is all about. Without a decently priced plan it's just another phone. Don't destroy the "Invention Of the Year" for Canadians. The iPhone is what it is because of what it does above and beyond mobile calls. If you can't use the extras freely there's no real point in getting an iPhone in the first place.

Find out what Rogers-Fido are really offering for the price:

http://www.getthefactsonrogersiphone.com/facts.html#costcomparisonlowend

Sign the petition here:

http://www.ruinediphone.com/

Watch the GlobalTV report: