Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

Samsung Cleo launches in Canada

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Just got this in…

We heard a while back that the Samsung Cleo was on its way, and and
now it’s arrived — well, if you’re lucky enough to live in Canada,
anyway. It’s not the only square flip phone on the planet, but it’s
definitely the most fashion-conscious. As far as we can tell, specs
are pretty much beside the point, but it’s got a QWERTY keyboard,
color LCD screen, 1.3-megapixel camera, MP3 playback, and expandable
memory up to 8GB (we’re guessing in microSD format). More importantly,
this attractive little devil (it’s just over 2.5-inches wide and
3-inches tall) comes in pink, blue, and (our personal favorite)
champagne. Though it’s been officially launched, the Cleo’s not for
sale quite yet, and there’s no word on price. We also don’t know when
or if it’ll strut its way to the US, but we’ve got our fingers
crossed. We really do.

Hmmm, I’ll have to see it in person I think. (But I like being thought of as sassy & stylish!)

iPhone sales help Rogers’ profits rise 84%

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Just recently, during the Q4 Conference Call, Apple announced that it had sold 6.9 million iPhones in Q4 of 2008. Today, Canada’s leading telecommunications operator Rogers has declared an 84% jump in the 3rd quarter profits.

Rogers has reported a net income of USD 386 million, compared to USD 210 a year ago and the operator is highly crediting this to the sales of Apple’s iPhone 3G and the subscriber growth to go along with it. While two-thirds of the total iPhone sales were to existing subscribers who upgraded to the iPhone with new contracts, Rogers sold around 85,000 iPhone 3Gs to new subscribers, selling a total of around 255,000 iPhone 3Gs. The revenues of the company climbed to US$2.34 billion, a staggering 14% rise.

Speaking on the announcement, President and CEO, Ted Rogers, said:

The results for the quarter also clearly reflect the substantial and very successful investment Rogers has made to bring Apple’s iPhone 3G to more than a quarter million Canadians over a very short period of time. While the upfront cost associated with adding this many iPhone subscribers so rapidly is high, it is an investment that we expect will provide considerable returns in the form of higher revenue per customer and lower churn in subsequent periods.

All this makes me wonder what the fuss was all about.

Blackberry Bold launches in Canada

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

My god, that’s almost like… current isn’t it?

It’s ok, really, Canadians have a choice. We swear!

Friday, August 8th, 2008

I just read this on the Star and seriously almost spit the water I was drinking out.

Today is the first day of Bell charging to receive incoming messages, Telus starts on the 24th. As I’ve reported earlier, both companies were called in front of the Federal Industry minister to explain themselves, which they now have, and the the Minister, Jim Prentice has said the companies have assured him that they’ll reverse the charges for spam messages. Ok fine. Never mind just the unwanted ones your friend Sally sends you, you can’t get out of those.

But anyway,

Here is the absolutely most ridiculous uninformed thing I’ve ever heard out of a Canadian government official (and there has been some doozies in the past)

and I quote:

“I would encourage consumers dissatisfied with existing plans to seek alternatives,” Prentice said in a release.

“The telecommunications market in Canada is dynamic – choice is available.”

Pffffffffffffff. (Imagine water spitting out of mouth at this point) Are you flipping kidding me?

Ok so, you’re on Bell, big mean Bell is charging you now for your text messages. I know! I’ll go to Telus! Ok well, they’re going to start charging to, so they’re out. So with this dynamic telecommunications market, my choice is now…. Rogers.

Yup that’s it friends, you’ve got nothing else.

But what about the others? Sit down dear reader for a brief lesson in the Canadian mobile industry

You have Bell, Telus and Rogers.

“oooh! ooh! but what about Fido Ms. London?”

Well little Timmy, they’re owned by Rogers.

“oooh! but there’s Solo mobile!”

You’re right Susie, but they’re owned by Bell.

“I know I know! There’s the new one! Koodo!”

Ahh yes Bobby, but (as much as they try and keep it quiet) they’re owned by Telus.

True you have Virgin and PC Mobile, and they’re basically PAYG, but both of those use Bell’s infrastructure, so they’re still making some money off it.

I just can’t get over how much choice I have.

Telus Strikes Again

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Just got forwarded this by the husband, he got it from his boss.

Guys,

Just went to check my phone plan (I’m pissed at Telus, but that’s another story) and while at it checked to see if we would be charged for text messages once they started charging later in the month – we would be. So, I have had them disable text messaging on all our phones. This will not affect e-mail which is separate.

If disabling text messaging is a problem for you please let me know. However, keep in mind it will cost an extra $30 or so per phone to get it.

As Ewan would say, Ohhh dear.

Man has to climb hill to get signal to text for help

Monday, August 4th, 2008

There was a small plane crash out in British Columbia on Sunday, horrible tragedy, 5 people were killed. One of the two men who survived sent text messages to his friends to tell him (and to get him to tell rescuers) the location of the crash site.

Unfortunately he couldn’t really get much signal, until he climbed up a hill, with his injuries.

Link: B.C. plane crash survivor had to climb hill to get text messages out

It was Pomponio who was text messaging a friend about where the plane went down. The friend relayed the information to rescue crews, but it took several hours for them to find the site of the crash.

Pomponio told Young he had to climb a hillside to get a signal.

And, Young said, Pomponio wasn’t too thrilled with Telus for sending him two advertising text messages while he was trying to get help.

Oh dear. Ohhhh dear. Yet somehow they got through eh?

And the stickler, if it has been a bit later in the month, he would have gotten charged for the incoming messages!

Ontario Drivers to face Cell restrictions

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Link: Drivers to face cell restrictions

I know it’s been law in the UK for awhile, but Ontario (where I live) may be facing the same thing soon.

Proposed new legislation to curb drivers preoccupied with “electronic distractions” is coming this fall, says Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

Bradley’s office wouldn’t give more details on what will be in the legislation yesterday.

The new law could range from an outright ban on use of electronics while driving to measures to toughen Ontario’s existing laws. Currently, a driver convicted of driving “without due care and attention” can face fines of up to $1,000 and a prison term of up to six months.

Ok I know it’s probably not the best idea, and you should concentrate on your driving, but I’ll be the first to put up my hand and say I’m one of them. (Much to the annoyed looks of the husband) But I can honestly say, that I can go into my inbox, hit reply, type out a text message and hit send, without ever taking my eyes off the road, and be fairly confident it makes sense. (Except for some bizarre reason where my phone insists on substituting “yar” for “was”)

But what about all the other distractions in cars? I did have a lady run into the back of me once because she was busy looking through her purse sitting on the floor. I’ve seen women putting on makeup, men shaving (no lie!) and even once a guy tying his tie and driving with his knee.

How is talking into a hands free set any different than singing along to the radio? That’s a lot safer than tie guy.

Bell, Telus face class action lawsuit

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Link: thestar.com – Bell, Telus face class action over texting fee

Well here’s one for the “You could see that coming a mile away” category…

MONTREAL – Two of Canada’s cellphone giants are being served with another a class action lawsuit in Quebec over plans to charge customers for incoming text messages.

A Montreal law firm has filed its second class action suit in two weeks, this time against both Bell Mobility Inc. (TSX: BCE) and Telus Communications Inc. (TSX: T), on behalf of a Quebec man.

Eric Cormier, a Bell Mobility subscriber for the past decade, initiated the suit saying both companies are acting illegally by unilaterally changing the terms of cellular contracts with their clients.

Both cellphone companies have announced plans to charge customers 15 cents per incoming text message, with Bell introducing the charge on Aug. 8 and Telus on Aug. 24.

The law firm of Saint-Pierre Grenier filed a separate class action lawsuit against Telus on July 14.

Until now, incoming text messages have not been subject to charges.


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