iPhone invading Canada tomorrow?

According to a report from the market-mindful Bloomberg, old Jobsy could be dropping the iPhone on Canada come tomorrow's keynote. If you believe what RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky says (and that's a big if), Apple will unleash the phone via Rogers Communications -- the country's largest mobile service provider. "There's a very good chance that Apple will announce or discuss some kind of other carrier roll-outs, beyond the ones it has done in Europe and the U.S." He said, adding that, "There is definitely very strong demand and interest here." To which we say, "Duh," and, "Hey, we've heard this before." Though we're not sure Steve will have time for the Canadian launch in his keynote, what with all the algae-based hard drives, unicorn laptops, and rays of pure energy he'll be introducing.

[Thanks, Paolo]

[Adam @ Apr 7th 2008 10:04PM]

if only this were true...

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 15th 2008 3:09AM]

OH NOES!!! TEH GIANT IPHONE IS ETTIN THE CANADAZ!!! ZOMFG GASP!!!

lulwtf?

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 15th 2008 3:53AM]

We'll send them back to you - remember there could be some interesting lock/unlock crap happening up here that we haven't heard about yet because of the CRTC :]

ZOMG all the zombies will carry one - so fill up your magazines, and start blasting

[IndiaTech @ Jan 15th 2008 5:04AM]

Booyakasha!

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 7:48AM]

funniest thing i've read all day

[SimplePanda @ Jan 15th 2008 3:25AM]

There are at least two iPhones on Rogers Wireless already (mine and my girlfriends).
Of couerse, they're hacked... but I'd like to see a legit launch at some point. We'd love to 'go legit' so we can get out of the 'you can't have the latest version because you're a dirty unlocker' trap.

[Scott @ Jan 15th 2008 3:20AM]

I'm not sure, but I went to Windsor in Ontario on the 8th and 9th, and everywhere I went the Canadians were stunned by my iPhone. Mine is a bit dinged/scratched up and they were almost offended I didn't take better care of what they thought was the jesus-phone.

(And yes, I went to Windsor for the beautiful scenery, not for the fact that it's drinking age is 19. I swear.)

[SimplePanda @ Jan 15th 2008 3:41AM]

@Scott:

Lies. Windsor has -no- beautiful scenery at all. You -were- drinking!

[Jason @ Jan 15th 2008 3:31AM]

Wow slow newsday eh?? I mean I love apple updates, I'm a fan of both Apple and Microsoft, but I have never seen so many useless speculations over a conference. Ever. I wouldn't mind if they clumped them into one giant "rumor" post. Not like 3 million small posts every 10 minutes just to satisfy the rabid Apple fans reading this blog.

[Darkest Daze @ Jan 15th 2008 3:37AM]

I'm pretty sure this idea comes up every year, but they still insist on making 700 posts about either the most inane rumors that will be either proven or smashed within 24 hours, or make 700 posts about the same topic, except they found out another small miniscule change that for some reason needs another post made for it.

"Rumor: The Canadian iPhone has 3 pixels changed in one icon.

We'll keep you up to date on these findings as information comes in"

I'll personally be avoiding both Engadget and Gizmodo tomorrow as we'll be knee deep in Mac posts that either have no real purpose or could have been combined with a hundred other topics.

[JJ @ Jan 15th 2008 3:30AM]

Maybe people give half a shite in Windsor.
But I know 10 people with iPhones.

Not including me and my girlfriend.

Nobody up here wants to deal with Ted Rogers and his money hungry corporate vampires anyway.
The iPhone will ETERNALLY be cheaper to buy in Buffalo and unlock.

I have a friend who is making $75 a pop unlocking phones for morons who can't take the 30mins it might take them to enjoy this sweet device.

All in all I guess I'm trying to say,
Bollocks to Rogers, we've got plenty of iPhones up here, we don't need him.

[tek @ Jan 16th 2008 4:22AM]

Hear hear.
Rogers can kiss my iPhone.
They'll never sell it up here, they are afraid of free data (wi-fi). The funny part is that the more they hold back on introducing proper data systems and rates to Canada, the farther behind we will get with network upgrades. Way to stagnate technology, Rogers.

[Jake @ Feb 14th 2008 12:14PM]

Yep - it's the data rates that keep me from entering the cell phone rat race. Just unreal. I saw some comparisons showing that, in order to get a feature-equivalent package in Canada as in the States you'd have to pay somewhere in the neighbourhood of $450 more a month. $50 for unlimited data is like a wet dream to us Canadian gadgetheads.

[Dominic @ Jan 15th 2008 3:30AM]

Haha...just the picture and thought I need at 12:30am...now I can go to sleep :D

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 7:59AM]

aussie aussie aussie, oi oi oi

[Sean @ Jan 15th 2008 3:32AM]

Rogers is NOT the largest wireless phone carrier, get your stuff right guys! come on!

[Dominic @ Jan 15th 2008 3:35AM]

I don't live in Canada...but is it Telus?

[Marcus @ Jan 15th 2008 8:42AM]

Actually, Rogers is the largest wireless carrier in Canada - live with it ;)

[Jason @ Jan 15th 2008 8:54AM]

largest using future forward tech.

CDMA is for geezers!

[Ian @ Jan 15th 2008 3:34AM]

The wireless landscape here in Canada is a horrorshow. There's two major players (Rogers and Bell) who know they have a captive market and love to squeeze simply ludicrous amounts of money out of us, particularly when it comes to data transfer. A Rogers data plan starts at $45/mon for just 4 MB of data, with $10/MB overage. The usual estimate I've heard for what an iPhone user would see is around $150-200/month (plus all the BS connection fees and taxes)

I'd love to have iPhones here. I am in awe when I hit SF or Vegas for trade shows and my US friends let me ogle theirs. But will I pay through the eye teeth for my own up here? Not likely, I'm afraid. Here's hoping SJ has wrenched the arms of the Canadian telecos to make the iPhone affordable.

[Ryan @ Jan 15th 2008 3:39AM]

CANADA ISN'T REAL GOD DAMNIT

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 7:59AM]

hahahahahahaha

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 7:59AM]

hahahahahahaha

[Derwin @ Jan 15th 2008 9:44AM]

alright i laughed at this

[Sean @ Jan 15th 2008 3:39AM]

I think it might actually be Bell, but it's either Bell or Telus. Rogers owns the entire GSM network in Canada though since it bought Fido, so you can argue that they have the largest "network" but in reality, they have so much dead space its a bitch to use. CDMA is king in north america unfortunately.

however Telus is the most profitable followed by Rogers and then Bell, I bet it just KILLS Bell that they have such a huge subscriber list but shitty revenue.

[Dominic @ Jan 15th 2008 3:50AM]

pssh....then why even care? I doubt Canada will be the country Apple decides to go ahead and say "hmm..oh yeah..let's go CDMA here..." so Rogers it is then..

[fsy @ Jan 15th 2008 3:42AM]

SimplePanda where did you buy your iPhone? All the website I try keep telling me that they are out of stack...

[JJ @ Jan 15th 2008 3:50AM]

Go to Buffalo.
Buy an iPhone.

Read instructions online.
Unlock it yourself.

[imark @ Jan 15th 2008 4:19AM]

i could be possible. one thing ive noticed is that the Comwave internet phone/iPHONE commercials do not actually say the word "i-phone" in the commercial at all. its still in the phone number but they tell people to subcribe to Comwave & no longer "i-phone". so at least hurdle is outa the way.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 15th 2008 5:30AM]

Sorry - they're still using "iPhone" on their website as of 2:30am PST morning of the keynote.

http://www.comwave.net/CDN/

They could drop it with little effort, of course. Or agree to let Apple use the name as well (for a fee).

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 15th 2008 5:27AM]

Well, not ALL Canadians are in awe of the iPhone -some of us actually have a life. Besides, we see all the iPhone hype up here too. Most Canucks have seen piccies and read about it.

But that aside, there are some facts which have to be weighed in.

First - there's only ONE carrier in Canada that can carry the iPhone: Rogers. Fido is owned by Rogers, so it doesn't count. So, forget Bell or Telus - they're not in the running. Fido is Roger's 'low rent' arm, so no way the iPhone will go to Fido.

Second - as of this moment, Rogers has NO flat rate dataplan, and the ones they have are EXPENSIVE. If you think owning an iPhone in the US or UK is expensive - that's nothing compared to Canada on any of our networks.

On the flipside, both of the other cellcos here now have a flat rate, although it's not cheap, and it's kind of odd Rogers didn't offer something just to stay competitive.

Third, there are only a couple of Apple stores here in Canada - all in the Toronto area. Worse, Rogers doesn't have phone-only stores (although Fido does, oddly), relying more heavily on store like Best Buy Canada and Future Shop.

There have been long standing rumours that another Apple Store is to open up in Vancouver in the Pacific Centre downtown, though.

So? Will the iPhone come to Canada? It's possible, but it would require either Rogers or Apple changing the way they sell their products. The fact that Rogers is way behind in their data plan products is odd (although typical of how Rogers Wireless works)...

I'd say... 61-73% chance of the announcement, with high chance that the data plan rate offered will make most Canucks turn white. Also, a 76%-80% chance that Apple will announce a new Apple Store in Vancouver at the same time.

[hans @ Jan 15th 2008 7:57AM]

Just to clarify, there's an Apple Store in Laval (north of montreal) and one is about to open in downtown Montreal.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 15th 2008 5:32AM]

Oh yeah - forgot:

Fourth - Comwave has the name 'iPhone' trademarked up here for a telephony related product and as of 2:30am PST, is still using it on their website.

[Andy K @ Jan 15th 2008 6:48AM]

"algae-based hard drives, unicorn laptops, and rays of pure energy he'll be introducing"

LOL, I just burst out laughing when I read that. So true. So true.

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 8:16AM]

wow.. uber-nerd

[Simon @ Jan 15th 2008 6:17AM]

Rogers Wireless what a rip off...

This Monopoly would not be allowed in Europe

Canadians watch out for the MVNO's which will hit your country soon

And the best bit... Rogers will be forced to allow these MVNO's to roam on their network while the newbies build up their new networks

You may get decent data plan rates by 2015!

Typically PAYG subscribers pay £1 per day for unlimited data usage (fair user policy applies)

With a contract its around £8 extra per month

[alamode @ Jan 15th 2008 6:32AM]

My guess is that the "beautiful scenery" at Windsor included an estabishment with women dancing around brass poles.

Rogers would LOVE the iPhone here. They missed out on the $85,000 phone bill.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/12/12/cell-phone.html

[Davidkny @ Jan 15th 2008 6:40AM]

Telus is thinking about the iPhone to

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=abd91a8a-aed5-4794-b561-49e9c7fd5a24&k=75695

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2008 8:15AM]

yeah, im thinking about it too...
doesnt mean im going to get one

( i live in aus, no iphone here )
but i heard 2008 was our time to shine

soon we'll be getting these intarwebs ive been hearing so much about

[Jason @ Jan 15th 2008 10:27AM]

How? Isn't Telus CDMA? iPhone is GSM ONLY.

[Khris @ Jan 15th 2008 4:18PM]

@ Jason

There are rumours floating around that Telus is going to switch to a GSM network.

[moe @ Jan 15th 2008 7:00AM]

cdma networks lost their lead in canada as largest network over a year ago. telus is now nowhere close to the largest network. both bell and telus have only their own towers in their "sides" of the country and piggy back elsewhere. neither have towers in SK or MB. neither telus or bell have completely rolled out rev.b so only rogers/fido have a potentially fastest network although it is severely controlled. all of the above info is useless when one considers there is no good hardware made for cdma and there never will be. as long as europe is GSM cdma will always be second fiddle.

rogers does have their own stores all over canada. fido is the only one that is franchised. the franchises sell factory unlocked phones. iphone will do well here but not because it is a good phone. Canadians are idiots when it comes to spending money as they desire what ever crosses the border or ships from overseas. there is no patriotism here so no one cares where they buy from.

the great thing but all that is we don't buy your stinking cigars we buy castros cigrs!

[Raian @ Jan 15th 2008 11:06AM]

Not that this matters much, but I saw someone using their iPhone on the streetcar on Monday...

[Big Ed @ Jan 15th 2008 8:50AM]

What the...where do you put the syrup?

[Richard @ Jan 15th 2008 8:52AM]

Zzzzz.. as about as exciting as J&J releasing a new brand of toilet paper in Tibet.

[Jason @ Jan 15th 2008 8:53AM]

There are lots of iPhones all over the place in Canada. 2 of my closer friends have them, and craigslist is stuffed with them. If you want an iPhone in Canada it's not hard to get one.

Now, insane data rates and a grotesquely greedy carrier oligopoly... these are the real problems.

[ipodmacman @ Jan 15th 2008 8:55AM]

I want the iphone to come to telus screw rodgers they charge to much!

[MbZ-buGSy @ Jan 15th 2008 9:00AM]

iPhone this, iPhone that. I'am sick and tired of hearing/reading about it. Engadget has too much covarage over the issue. Now its like a annying commercial that keeps popping all the time. I dont think any other gadget has had the same followup as the iPhone over the past months. Wonder why..

[Richard @ Jan 15th 2008 9:29AM]

@Scott

As someone who lived in Windsor a short while, saying you went there for the scenery is like me telling my wife I went to the "Gentleman's Club" for the beer.

[GuyWithPants @ Jan 15th 2008 9:34AM]

I've got a former co-worker who now works at Rogers in the "new handsets" department... he told me in December there was no way they were getting the iPhone anytime soon, so this seems like more rumouring to me.