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3G Vita headed to Canada via Rogers on Oct. 2, Canadian gamers remain non-plussed
Despite having launched elsewhere in the world already, Sony's 3G PlayStation Vita is heading north to Canada with help from Rogers Communications this October. Beyond the usual features of the Vita, the 3G model offers access to various social networks while on-the-go, as well as a handful of games that support asynchronous multiplayer via 3G. Mostly, though, it just offers a $50 bump to the usual Vita price of $250 (at least in the US). In Canada, however, the 3G version is getting bundled with Gravity Rush and Unit 13, and the whole shebang is launching on October 2 for $299.99. It's unclear how much the unit will cost as a standalone (or if it's even being offered that way), but we've asked Sony Canada for more info. 3G plans with Rogers run $15 and $30 for 30-day packages bundling 250MB or 5GB data streams, respectively. Update: PlayStation's Canadian reps tell us the standalone unit will also cost $299, and the bundle is only being offered for an unspecified limited time. So get it while you can!
Rogers reports bountiful profits, lays offerings at feet of munificent Master Smartphone
We've just had a string of happy earnings missives from AT&T, Verizon and ARM, so it's not really surprising that the dollar-drenched smartphone effect continues to rage over in Canada too. Rogers Communications just reported Q2 operating profits up 4 percent on the same period last year, amounting to over CA$1.2 billion ($1.3 billion). It won 135,000 new wireless subscribers thanks to a "record number of new smartphone customers", who now make up half of all postpaid subscribers, compared to just 35 percent in June 2010. The carrier also revealed that its smartphone customers tend to be twice as profitable as voice-only types, which tells us there's the scope for it to listen even harder to its customers.
Xperia Play goes back to the FCC, this time with GSM (update)
We're all familiar with this handset by now, but what we weren't suspecting (although we have yet to finish our first cup of coffee) to see a GSM version of the Xperia Play come through the FCC this sunny Tuesday morning. While we know that Verizon won't be the sole carrier of the phone in the states (we heard that from Sony Ericsson CTO Jan Uddenfeldt himself), there is yet to be another carrier confirmed. So maybe this is an indication of another possible future? Or, most likely, this is just one of those "north of the border" jobs -- as you know, the FCC gets its look at all Canada-bound phones, and this particular phone is exclusive to Rogers. Get a closer look after the break. Update: Further examination of the docs reveal that this bad boy has global GSM bands and 900 / 2100MHz 3G, which is primarily used in Europe and Asia.
Xperia Play and Xperia Arc confirmed for Rogers in Canada (update)
In case you missed the announcement, a recent press release has confirmed what we already knew: Xperia Play is coming to Canada, exclusively to Rogers. Set to hit shelves sometime this spring in late March alongside the Xperia Arc, both of these bad boys will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with prices to be disclosed at launch. Remember when we used to call Xperia Play the "PlayStation Phone?" That was fun. PR after the break.
Nadir Mohamed in as Rogers CEO
It's not terribly often that Canada's Rogers Communications names a new chief exec -- hell, the last one was none other than the company's founder himself -- so needless to say, it's a pretty big deal that the company has concluded its search and sealed the deal. As expected, Nadir Mohamed, who already has plenty of executive-level experience within the company serving as president and COO of its Communications Division, has been named to the CEO post, concluding a search both outside and inside the wireless giant for Ted Rogers' successor. Congrats, Nadir -- you've got big shoes to fill. [Warning: PDF link] [Via MobileSyrup]
