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Nokia 7510 comes to Rogers' TalkSpot service
In North America, Rogers has a reputation for getting the most cool GSM handsets the quickest (that's not the only reputation it has, but we won't go there right this second) -- but this is one case where T-Mobile USA beat 'em to the punch by a mile. The Canadian carrier is adding the Nokia 7510 to its TalkSpot-compatible lineup, meaning you'll be able to offload calls to WiFi when you're within range of a hotspot and transfer seamlessly to and from GSM. There's no 3G, but the colorful flip does come with changeable faceplates, a concealed secondary display, 2 megapixel camera with flash, and microSD expansion. Look for it for CAD $49.99 (about $43) on a three-year deal.[Via Unwired View]
WiFi-equipped BlackBerry 8320 on tap for Rogers?
There's an old saying in the wireless industry: "As AT&T goes, so goes Rogers." Actually, that's not a saying, we just made it up -- and it's not terribly accurate, either. But in the case of RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8320, there's at least a little bit of truth to it. New documents floating around indicate that Rogers intends to add the WiFi-packin' version of the Curve to its Talkspot lineup, giving users yet another smartphone option after the 8120 launched earlier this year. It'll apparently be offered in "Sapphire Blue" for $149.99 CAD (about $140) with a launch expected before the month's out.
Samsung t336 to shore up Rogers' Talkspot offerings
It looks like Rogers is finally getting around to expanding its rather anemic selection of UMA-enabled Talkspot phones, informing dealers that they can expect delivery of the t336 from Samsung in the next few days. The phone -- a dead ringer for T-Mobile's similarly-equipped t339 -- should offer a 1.3-megapixel camera, 220 x 176 primary and 96 x 96 secondary displays, stereo Bluetooth, and most importantly, a WiFi radio for hookin' on up to your router. Looks like it'll run $49.99 CAD (about $47) on a three-year deal when it starts filtering into stores later this week, assuming everything goes well.
Rogers renames Home Calling Zone to Talkspot
Rogers' in-home WiFi calling service -- think T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home but with more polar bears, poutine, and curling -- never had the most elegant name. "Home Calling Zone" just doesn't roll off the tongue in the way that any marketing department-friendly brand should (not to suggest that "HotSpot @Home" does), and Rogers has acted swiftly to rectify its faux pas by rebranding the service simply "Talkspot." The features and pricing remain the same, as does the two-strong lineup of the BlackBerry Pearl and Nokia 6086, but at least customers will now enjoy a slightly less-awkward experience trying to describe the service to their friends and family.[Via MobileSyrup]