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Rogers restores service following Canada-wide internet outage
On Saturday, Rogers Communications said it had restored service for the “vast majority” of customers affected by the outage that left many Canadians without access to the internet.
Major Rogers outage causes internet and mobile network issues across Canada
911 services and payment network Interac have also been affected.
Canada's first 5G network goes live in four cities
You no longer need to head to the US if you want a taste of 5G in North America. After starting its rollout in January, Rogers has switched on Canada's first live 5G network in the downtown cores of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. You'll unsurprisingly have to pick up one of Samsung's Galaxy S20 phones and subscribe to an unlimited data plan if you want to try the service right away, but Rogers' use of the 2.5GHz mid-range band suggests you'll have an easier time finding speedier service than you would with high-band 5G on networks like Verizon (Engadget's parent company) in the US. It's closer to AT&T and Sprint in that regard.
Canada's first 5G network starts rolling out in four cities
Canadians won't have to look on with envy as Americans get 5G. Telecom giant Rogers has started rolling out the country's first 5G network in the downtown cores of four large cities (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver). You'll have to wait until devices are available later in the year to use the network, but it'll be ready to go when that happens. It should reach more than 20 additional markets before 2020 is over.
Android 10 may reach Pixel phones on September 3rd
It's been months since Google started testing Android Q (now Android 10), so where's the finished version? If you believe Canadian carriers, it's right around the corner. Both Rogers (since pulled) and Telus have posted support documents indicating that all Pixel phones will receive Android 10 starting on September 3rd, ranging from the originals through to the Pixel 3a line. We'd treat these dates with skepticism, but they line up with Google's recent history of releasing finished Android versions in late summer for the Pixel line and other devices with virtually stock software.
Canada court says ISPs can charge studios for hunting pirates
It could soon prove expensive for media makers to chase online pirates in Canada. The country's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that internet providers are entitled to "reasonable" compensation when asked to link pirates' IP addresses to customer details. Voltage Pictures (the production firm behind The Hurt Locker) intended to sue roughly 55,000 customers of telecom giant Rogers for allegedly bootlegging movies, but balked when Rogers wanted to charge $100 per hour to comply with the requests for information. Rogers won the initial Federal Court case, but had to defend itself at the Supreme Court when Voltage appealed the case.
Sprint and Rogers connect for iMessage-like RCS texting
Nearly every major tech company has come up with their own messaging services with enhanced features and SMS is starting to look long in the tooth. But there's hope for text messaging. A newish standard (it was released in 2012) RCS (Rich Communication Services (RCS) with its improved media sending and improved group chat support is making its way onto Android phones and being support by carriers and according to Google's VP of communications products, Nick Fox. It looks like Sprint and Rogers are letting customers send RCS messages between their services.
Rogers will launch IPTV in Canada with Comcast's X1 platform
Comcast has been very careful to call its X1 setup a "platform" and not simply a cable box, and now it's licensing the tech for use on an internet TV service. Canadian provider Rogers will roll out IPTV to its gigabit internet customers in 2018 using the X1 platform, although there's no word on whether or not it will include the Netflix app. Before that happens, however, Rogers says customers on its current cable setup can expect more 4K video and 4K DVR features in the next year.
Google's Daydream View VR reaches stores November 10th
You won't have to wait much longer to see whether or not Google's Daydream View headset is a viable contender to the likes of Gear VR. Google has announced that its virtual reality wearable will reach both the Google Store and retail in five countries (the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia) on November 10th. In the US, it'll be available for $79 through Best Buy and Verizon. British buyers can track it down for £69 at Carphone Warehouse or EE, and Canadians can pick it up for $99 at Best Buy, Bell, Rogers or Telus.
Canada's main answer to Netflix shuts down November 30th
It's tough to compete against the Netflix juggernaut, even if you throw a ton of money at the problem... just ask Shomi. The Canadian streaming video service is shutting down on November 30th, a little over two years after it got off the ground. Rogers, one of the two cable giants running Shomi, isn't shy about the reasons for the prompt exit. Simply put, the service's subscriber base "just isn't big enough" -- Rogers is expecting a loss of up to $140 million Canadian (about $106 million US), and its partner Shaw is likely to be hurting as well.
You'll soon watch 4K live sports with HDR... in Canada
You might think that Japan, South Korea or the US would be the most enthusiastic about 4K live sports, but nope: right now, that distinction goes to Canada. The country's largest cable firm, Rogers, has unveiled a 4K strategy that reportedly includes the "world's largest" support for 4K live sports with high dynamic range (HDR) color. Every 2016 home game for the Toronto Blue Jays (which Rogers owns) will air in 4K with HDR, while more than 20 "marquee" NHL games will also display in 4K. If you're not fond of baseball or hockey, you'll be glad to know that 4K shows from Netflix and Shomi will be part of the mix. While this content won't start arriving until next year (starting with a Canadiens/Maple Leafs hockey match in January), it's at least on the cards.
Canada's response to Netflix is available nationwide this summer
Canadian cable firms Rogers and Shaw have hogged the Shomi video service all to themselves during its testing phase, but they're loosening up now that they're nearly ready for prime time. The two have revealed that their answer to Netflix will be available to all Canadians this summer, not just the companies' internet and TV subscribers. As during the beta, you'll plunk down $9 CAD ($7 US) per month to get a mix of shows and (mostly older) movies, including Transparent and other series that are Amazon exclusives in the US. The service already works through Android, Apple TV, Chromecast and iOS devices, so you won't be hurting for places to watch.
Living with the G3: Can LG's newest flagship be as good as its predecessor?
You typically expect the latest smartphones to represent clear steps forward over their predecessors. However, I've been hearing a lot of people characterize the LG G3 as a baby step ahead of the G2, or even a step backward. That had me more than a little worried. Was I going to hate the follow-up to one of my favorite phones from 2013? There was only one way to find out, so I spent a few weeks with the G3 to see if those fears were overblown.
Canadians now have faster mobile data than you
Our Canadian neighbors have already been given a taste of Rogers' extremely data-friendly LTE, but now the carrier is officially rolling out its LTE-Advanced network across 12 different cities. In fact, it's the first North Amercian carrier to launch an LTE-A network, period. So? Well, that means denizens of the poutine-filled country can stream much more video than you can, faster than you can. And since Rogers' new tech is a combination of AWS and its 700MHz spectrum (which is the same frequency some US AT&T clientele are also accustomed to), customers will see a big improvement on their data service while indoors, in a basement or other fringe areas. Head below for the full list of cities getting upgraded.
Netflix's next original series is a collaboration with Canada's Rogers
Video-streaming titan Netflix is set to continue its original production efforts with Between, an upcoming six-episode drama series. The story will be produced in partnership with Shomi, a video on-demand service from Canadian wireless carrier Rogers; and City, a television station based out of Toronto. Strangely enough, when Shomi's VOD offering was launched roughly a couple of months ago, it was pegged as a direct competitor to Netflix -- though that's clearly not going to be the case. Plot-wise, Between follows the story of a strange disease in a small town that has abolished everyone under 21 years old, and was created by Canada's own Michael McGowan, director of Still Mine and One Week, among other relatively popular indie films. No definite timing yet, but the series is going to premiere on Shomi and City in Canada, while the rest of the world will be able to catch it on Netflix.
Canadian cable giants launch a Netflix rival
Canucks don't have much choice for streaming video services. Netflix is the de facto pick, and its Canadian division's selection (historically smaller than in the US) isn't going to satisfy everyone. However, cable giants Rogers and Shaw think they have a better option for some viewers -- they've just unveiled Shomi, a mostly TV-focused service that might have a few aces up its sleeve. The offering blends automatic recommendations with handpicked selections; if you're looking for nothing but comic book adaptations or movies with dating disasters, you may have an easier time finding what you want. Shomi is also leaning heavily on exclusive deals for past seasons of big TV shows like Modern Family, New Girl and Sons of Anarchy, so it may be your best bet if you're looking for a Hulu Plus equivalent.
Rogers' widened LTE support gives Canadians speedier data indoors
Canada got LTE relatively quickly, but that fast data currently has a big catch: since it doesn't run on low frequencies like in the US, you sometimes drop to 3G when you head indoors. Thankfully, those slowdowns won't be an issue for much longer. Rogers has officially switched on its 700MHz network in parts of Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, bringing LTE to your basement and other places where it was previously off-limits. It may help American travelers, too, since AT&T customers (who already have 700MHz support) can roam on Rogers' airwaves.
Rogers lets Canadians upgrade phones with no money down, plus a few catches
Where American carriers go, so goeth their Canadian counterparts. Rogers has revealed an upcoming Next program that, like its AT&T parallel, will let early adopters get new phones every 12 months for less cash than it would take using the standard upgrade path. As long as the contract price for a phone is $250 or less, you won't have to pay anything for it up front; you'll just shell out a flat $25 per month ($30 with insurance) and trade in your older Rogers hardware. The math potentially makes sense if you just have to get a new device every year. However, there are some big caveats you'll want to consider. You'll still be signing a two-year agreement when starting out, and you'll have to subscribe to "select" plans. We'll learn more about Next's true value when it's available in the near future, but those who despise contracts (or prefer their grandfathered plans) aren't likely to change their minds.
LG's curvy G Flex smartphone is coming to Canada through Rogers
Canadians have been left out of the curved smartphone frenzy so far, but they'll soon learn what all the fuss is about: LG has announced that the G Flex is coming to Canada as a Rogers exclusive this spring. While the local edition won't include any radical changes, it should have very fast data with dual-band, 150Mbps LTE support. Pricing isn't available yet. However, the American launches suggest that Rogers' model won't be cheap. You'd better really, really like that banana-shaped display.
AT&T strikes deal to offer LTE data roaming in Canada
AT&T subscribers visiting their Canadian neighbors no longer have to worry about giving up 4G speeds when crossing the border. The carrier has just unveiled a roaming deal with Rogers that will provide quick LTE data anywhere the Canadian provider has compatible coverage, including major cities like Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. You'll only get to do so much with the improved performance while traveling up North, though. When AT&T's global add-ons still include a meager amount of international data per month, you'll just be racking up overage fees that much faster.
