Android goes Canadian: Rogers launches HTC Magic and Dream

We knew exactly when the revolution was coming, and come it did. Just as promised, Rogers Wireless is now selling the Android-powered HTC Dream and HTC Magic, which marks the first official entry of the Google-built OS into the Great White North. Both handsets are ready to dabble in the Android Market and surf on the carrier's 3.5G network; all that's left for you to do is hand over $149.99 on a three contract and nab a box of Tim Hortons donuts. Mmm, donuts.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 11:29AM]

The three year contract is no big deal. I am with Telus and have never gone more than 2 years into a 3 year contract before renewing for another three to save on a new HTC phone. You always have the option to go for a 1 or 2 year contract if you don't want to be tied down. The shorter the contract the more the phone will cost. Seems Fair.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:54PM]

HAHAHAHA I laugh when I hear people say "try Fido..."
for the uninformed, Rogers owns fido
Bell owns Solo
Telus owns Koodoo

there is no competition in the wireless sector yet...

[POZ Posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:02PM]

Oh wow.. that looks 100% way better than the G1.. Really pisses me off.


/wHaT?

[recharged95 Posted Jun 2nd 2009 2:53PM]

Looks like the dream (G1v1.1?) has the magic's lower chin. Looks better...

[stokd Posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:05PM]

Just got our shipment in 5 mins ago and got my first taste of Android...I very well may ditch my iPhone when the time comes to upgrade, depending what hardware is like at the time. Wish they had demo units so I could buy one and just switch off!

[JHook204 Posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:25PM]

Where did that G1 picture come from? That G1 is all wrong or Rogers has a different model because the button configuration on the chin is different than the U.S. version. Anybody else notice this or am I just crazy?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 1:00PM]

Get an iPhone, it's been out for months now and my friends who has it loves it to death. I saw no one whip out an Android phone in like..... forever LOL

[gotsmart Posted Jun 2nd 2009 1:02PM]

I'm dying to upgrade my Rogers phone, but i'm waiting until Globalive launches their wireless service later this year.

Either Globalive's offering will be attractive enough for me to switch, or Globalive's presence in the market will force Rogers to become more competitive, and i'll upgrade then.

[bobbyloblaws Posted Jun 2nd 2009 1:38PM]

Anyone willing to pay full price must like being ass raped. It's a joke how easy it is to get them (Rogers/Bell/Telus) to reduce their prices on almost all their products.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 3:01PM]

So.... If im eligible for a hardware upgrade i pay 149.99 and renew my contract? Or are they gonna try to screw me for another $100?

I hate Robbers, but fido has no nice phones or useful ones (save the iphone and that one blackberry)

[drunknmunky Posted Jun 2nd 2009 3:11PM]

Rogers is also reintroducing the 6GB/30$ data plan which can be added on to any voice plan. Like for the iPhone 3G release, it's only available for a limited time (until July 1).
What's amazing is that Rogers is actually offering something that's a good deal (it costs as much as their 1 GB data plan that's normally available).
It's only available for the new Android phones (HTC Magic and Dream) but we'll have to see what they do for the iPhone 3.0 release next week.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 9:16PM]

I'm torn about this one. I agree, us Canadians get reamed when it comes to cell and data plans, there's no two ways about it.

I checked out the phones today, and sucks that Rogers stores do not have any demos. Sucks even more that the Rogers store is selling them for $200 on a 3 year plan when everywhere else is selling them for $149 on a three year plan, even though I asked them why I had heard it was going for $149. I guess because they can. Another way for them to stick it to us. I actually like Rogers. Well, I guess it's more that I just hate them less than any other carrier in Canada, so they win by default.

I'd like to hear more about the actual phones though. Can these things replace an iPod touch? How is the media player? Can you connect to your car stereo?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2009 12:22PM]

It is $149 on a three year contract and $599 without a contract.

In Europe, the same phones are free on a one year contract. When the phone is released in July in the States, I bet they will get better pricing as well, I think this is why people are pissed (including me)...

I am a Rogers customer, with 1.5 years left in my 3 year contract. The cheapest I can get this phone for is $524, signing a new 3 year contract. :(

Boo Robers

[Nablis Posted Jun 3rd 2009 9:27PM]

I picked one up one Tuesday. Aside from the really short battery life, I am really happy.

Comes with:
- a USB data/charger cable
- AC to micro-USB charger cable
- a set of micro-USB ear bud head phones
- a 2 GB micro-SD card
- fake leather case/sleeve

Yes it is a slightly different version than the G1 in the US. The button layout is a little different and the 'chin' is smaller than I expected, which someone mentioned above, so maybe they reduced that as well.

Now I am spending my days finding apps. Anyone know a good GPS navigator?? I know it has some navigation functionality but, as far as I can tell, it does not have all the features of a dedicated GPS unit.

Dave