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Rogers bumps BlackBerry prices skyward to help with "acquisition expenses"
As with any major company out there, Rogers Wireless has been burning through some cash in order to move its business forward. So far as we can tell, however, it's acquired nothing substantial enough to warrant a $30 million hole in the overall acquisition budget. According to a poorly scribed email that was allegedly whisked out by a Rogers bigwig, the senior executive team just realized that it was $30 million in the red when it came to acquisitions, and coincidentally (or not), the price of select BlackBerry handsets has crept up anywhere between $25 and $50 on a 3-year contract. Granted, there's no confirmed link between the price hikes and the budget fiasco, but simple logic could bring us to believe that one is definitely in reaction to the other. Who knows -- maybe those gigantic Bolds were way, way more expensive that anyone assumed.[Image courtesy of BlackBerry News]
Rogers close to appointing new CEO?
The Globe and Mail is reporting that Rogers is getting lined up to finally announce a new Chief Executive -- a rather important position at the company that's been left vacated since founder Ted Rogers passed away several months ago. Sounds like the lucky dude will be Nadir Mohamed, who's currently serving as president and COO of the company's Communications Group. Of course, no change of power would be complete without some behind-the-scenes drama, and in this case, it appears that there's at least some risk of a power struggle between Mohamed and Rogers' son Edward, so in an effort to nip that in the bud, it's rumored that Rogers will be given some sort of executive role at the company -- possibly in charge of acquisitions. Looks like this'll all be made public any day now, so we don't have long to wait. Anyone hoping this guy ushers in some change? [Via mocoNews]
BlackBerry 9900 "Pluto" spotted in leaked Rogers documents?
What's this little gem? According to a confidential / potentially dubious Rogers document landed by CrackBerry, it might be the BlackBerry 9900 -- or Pluto for you codename-loving types. Interestingly enough, this devices happens to look just like a Storm / Bold / 8900 Franken-Berry that we first caught wind of in October, packing a full QWERTY and a SurePress touchscreen like the one found in the Storm. We can't say for sure this is anything more than a clever Photoshop -- and that little "see page 99" bit on the bottom seems a bit too convenient of a number for our tastes. The trackball's noticeably absent from the four main navigation buttons, so we're already getting a little afraid of having to retain our BrickBreaker skills, but if any of you RIM insiders want to send over photos, video, or even the device itself before the "Late Q3 2009" presumed release timeframe, we'd be mighty glad to be proven wrong.Update: Like they say, when it rains, it pours. CrackBerry just posted another purported shot, but the possibility of this being real is highly unlikely. Apparently, the mic hole in the original pic is a clear sign that this is just a 'shopped 8800 -- and now in this latest "leaked shot," it's gone. So, chalk another one up for those crazy jokesters that have a little too much time on their hands, because it looks like this one was a bit too good to be true. [Thanks, Boy Genius]
LG Neon hits Rogers for $29.99
As expected, LG has graced our Canadian friends on Rogers with the Neon messaging phone for a decidedly easy-to-swallow $29.99 CAD (about $23) on contract after rebate. Your hard-earned $30 is gonna buy you a 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen, 2 megapixel cam, media player with FM radio, microSD expansion, stereo Bluetooth, and a triband EDGE that'll be good enough to let you take the phone most of the way around the world -- as long as you're not expecting high-speed data anywhere. Your turn, AT&T? [Via HowardChui.com] Read - Pink Read - Grey
Rogers Wireless' own UR magazine outs Sony Ericsson C905?
So either Rogers' UR magazine is writing the Sony Ericsson C905 up, or, the multi-megapixel monster is on its way to the shops. Of course, a leaked slide show from early December shows this set -- and piles of other greatness -- coming to Rogers this year, so I tend to agree with MobileSyrup that this one is legit. Pricing is rumored to be set at the $299 on a three-year deal and the release date is shakily pegged at Q2 2009. So hurry up already Rogers, we've seen it, the specs, taken pics, and now we're only left with the owning part.[Via MobileSyrup]
LG Neon coming to Rogers any day now for $30 on contract?
In the States, we're hearing that AT&T is going to launch this bad boy as the GT365 Etna -- but just trade the "G" for a "T" and we've heard similar rumblings north of the border up on Fido. Now, it looks like the TE365 (which goes by the Neon moniker instead of the more bizarre Etna) might actually be dropping on Fido's corporate mommy Rogers, with a HoFo member reporting that we'll see it hit any day now for a mere $29.99 on a three-year deal. Considering that it's got a touchscreen, landscape QWERTY slide, and FM radio, that doesn't seem like a terribly bad deal -- but then again, are you really going to still want to be using this 36 months from now?[Via MobileSyrup]
Rogers launches LG's TU330 Globus flip phone for $29.99 on contract
Earlier this month, we saw pretty solid evidence that Rogers Wireless was gearing up to launch LG's TU330 Globus, and sure enough, said flip phone has just popped up for ordering on the Canadian carrier's website. The 3G-capable handset boasts a 1.3 megapixel camera, tri-band HSPA / quad-band GSM support, stereo Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, a 220 x 176 resolution display and video recording. And just think, it can all be yours for the higher than anticipated price of $29.99 on a 3-year contract. Take our advice here and just buy the thing outright for $79.99 $179.99 -- the next three years of your life are worth more than fifty bones.[Via MobileSyrup]Update: Looks like it's actually a slightly more hard-to-swallow $180 off contract, not $80. Thanks for the correction, Hayden!
Rogers ready to launch LG TU750 Secret and TU330 Globus?
While we wade through the quagmire of MWC releases, Canada's Rogers Wireless (the only GSM deal in town, though one of two brands) seems to have prepped the launch of LG's TU750 Secret and the TU330 Globus. The TU750 packs a touchscreen, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash into a thin sliding handset. The TU330 is a lowend flip with a 1.3 megapixel camera, GPS, snores, and Bluetooth and as the ad shows, pricing on this seems set at $19 on a three-year. Pricing on the Secret and shipping dates for either? We've no thought on that, but the image above looks like it could come from a flyer, so we'll hopefully hear more soon.[Via Mobilesyrup]Read - LG TU330 GlobusRead - LG TU750 Secret
Fido launches low-end slider, the Samsung SGH-F266
Samsung and Fido are having a wee bit of a party today and have released the SGH-F266 to help us join in the new handset fun. The F266 is the first in a series of sets listed in the questionable raodmapp (that's intentional, so don't yell at us) we saw appear yesterday. Apparently priced at $25 on two-years, or $150 outright, it is loaded with a 2 megapixel camera, 37MB of internal memory (upgradeable to 8GB), a 2.1-inch display, and rounds out with a bit of Bluetooth, an FM radio, and only weighs 99 grams. Oh, and Fido? Your site still makes us feel queasy / stings our eyes, seriously.[Via Mobilesyrup]
Leaked Fido roadmap shows Q1 sets, typos, errors?
We're not so sure what to make of this -- and would put very little weight in it until we hear otherwise -- as the title's typo and obvious lack of 3yr plans that carriers love up here make it seem a bit sketch. Though, as the pic is hollering, we can purportedly expect the Samsung F266 tomorrow, SE T303 in early March, LG TE365 late March, and the recycled Motorola W233 on April 22. This thing is all a mess, though stranger things have happened, and it could all pan out. Hopefully we'll hear something either way in the near future.Update: As reader clay rightly points out, feature phones no longer have 3-year deals -- though they do still exist for sets like the recently launched BlackBerry. So with that out of the way, we just have the shifty typo left.
Rogers offers up HP's iPAQ 910c Business Manager for $249.99
If you've been holding off on picking up a new WinMo handset on Rogers, today just might be your lucky day. You know, if you're totally in love with HP's iPAQ 910c Business Manager. Said Canadian carrier is offering up this here phone for $249.99 (down from $399.99) on a 3-year contract, but for those who despise red tape, you can snag it off-contract for $499.99. As for specs, it sports Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, built-in GPS, WiFi, a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard, a microSD card slot, three megapixel camera (with video recording possibilities) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. So, is it business time, or what?[Via IntoMobile]
Fido's shops start stocking BlackBerry Pearl 8100
Fido's BlackBerry 8100 has been rumored, caught in the wild, confirmed, and now we finally see it on the site and priced. First the price, apparently Fido really wants you on contract for 3 years, as it is $25, with 2 years hopping up to $350 -- as a side, on T-Mobile 2-years is $49, on AT&T, you could get a Bold or Curve for less -- and off contract cost is $400. On the service side, there's a $15 unlimited personal IM and email package, or 500MB for $25, 1GB for $30, or 3GB will ring in at $60. So if you're on Fido and have been dreaming of the day you'd be able to get on this bandwagon, go forth and spend.
ZTE Rock and Samsung Rugby now available at Rogers
Just as we'd heard, the oh-so-tough duo that is the completely unrelated ZTE Rock F165 (right) and Samsung Rugby A836 (left) are now available through Rogers Wireless. As for pricing, you'll be asked to part with $79.99 / $149.99 on contract for each in order of mention, though it seems the former is already on backorder. Guess that unbridled sex appeal just won Canucks over by the thousands, huh?[Via MobileInCanada]Read - ZTE RockRead - Samsung Rugby
Rogers Wireless $20 Value Pack adds unlimited text messaging
Nothing too exceptional here, but the texters in attendance should certainly have a listen. Just a week after Rogers Wireless launched two new unlimited packs for BlackBerry users, the Canadian carrier has upgraded the $20 Value Pack (for standard handsets) to include unlimited texting, up from 2,500 previously. Like we said, nothing too incredible -- unless you've been burned of late for sending over 2,500 texts in a month.
ZTE Rock / Samsung Rugby to give Rogers that hardened edge it's been missing
Yeah, "cute" works for awhile, but eventually you've got to man up and prove that you're rough, tough and ready to withstand the elements. To that end, Boy Genius Report has it that the Samsung Rugby A836 and ZTE Rock F165 -- both handsets of the rugged variety -- are about to land on Rogers Wireless in Canada. The former will support 3G data and include a 1.3 megapixel camera and an enclosure strong enough to ward off impending rain drops, dust, short drops and humidity. The latter spices things up with HSPA support, video calling compatibility, a 2 megapixel camera, 128MB of onboard storage, a microSD card slot and a respectable amount of armor for the tumultuous days ahead. As for pricing, we're hearing $149.99 for the Rugby and $79.99 for the Rock, both on staggeringly long three year contracts.[Via UnwiredView]
Leaked Rogers slides make us want to move to Canada
We're not really sure where to begin with this one, because the awesomeness is so thorough and so intense that we're basically at a loss for words; we'll see what we can do here, though. In brief, a HoFo poster has thrown up what appear to be slides from a Rogers event detailing the carrier's release plans for the better part of 2009, and seriously, if you name a badass handset, odds are it's here. Samsung will apparently be bringing the 8.1-megapixel Pixon, for starters, and Sony Ericsson will be throwing its name into the huge-cam hat with the C905. Turning our attention to Windows Mobile, the X1 is scheduled for release "around August if not sooner," Motorola brings the lowly Q11, and HTC adds the Touch Pro, the Touch Viva (an unusual choice considering HTC's intention to send it to emerging markets), and possibly the Touch 3G. Nokia will be offering the 5800 XpressMusic in the middle part of the year, Moto will be bringing a pair of 5-megapixel phones in the VE66 and ZN5, and finally, it seems RIM is signed up to bring the all-GSM 9520 Storm with WiFi -- a feature sorely missing from the Verizon and Vodafone versions -- and a 3G remix of the 8200 Pearl series flip that'll have a front-facing cam for video calling (yeah, no joke, they offer it up there). So look, AT&T, you have two options here: either crib off this presentation and make it happen, or we hope you get bought by Rogers. Your choice.[Via Engadget Spanish]
Rogers toots its own horn and 7.2 Mbps network update
Canada's Rogers Wireless made official today what some of us had already noticed: its coast-to-coast 3.5G HSPA network (read: 7.2Mbps of fast) lives. Of course, while we may never see "real world" speeds that even get close to this -- nor will the Europeans be particularly impressed -- we're sure Rogers is loving the fact that it's the first wireless network in North America that can brag about it at wireless operator conventions, or something. Rogers currently lists the HTC Touch Diamond, the LG Vu T915, the Novatel MC950D Rocket Stick, and the Novatel X950D Express card as 7.2 Mbps-ready. So start hitting Speedtest already, and let us know how the bits are flowing.
RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 has arrived on Rogers
Right now, the vast majority of RIM talk is centered around its touchscreen offering, but those firmly committed to its more traditional kit haven't forgotten for a second about the next-generation BlackBerry Curve. We knew the 8900 was destined for a life on Rogers, but we had no idea we'd feel this compelled to head north once it launched. The handset boasts a 2.4-inch, light-sensing 480 x 360 resolution display, 512MHz processor, quad-band EDGE / WiFi, 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, a microSDHC card slot, removable 1,400mAh battery and Bluetooth 2.0; sadly, the omission of any 3G support isn't in error, and we're certain that'll be a deal-breaker for some. For those who don't mind (you know, those who just "live" near WiFi hotspots), it's available now in Canada from $179.99 with a pathetically lengthy 3-year contract (with minimum monthly rate plan of $45).[Via BlackBerry News]
Rogers Communications founder Ted Rogers passes away at 75
Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, the founder of Rogers Communications, has passed away this week at 75. It only takes a brief glance to recognize what a giant Mr. Rogers built, and his legacy will obviously live on for years to come. Ted had suffered from congestive heart failure and was seeing his health decline, but thankfully he was surrounded by friends and family when he passed in his Toronto home. As for now, Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications, will serve as CEO and president until the Board of Directors can complete a thorough search for a proper successor.[Via Boy Genius Report, image courtesy of TheStar]
Rogers launching HTC Touch Diamond at $199.99 on contract?
Not that you can't snag an HTC Touch Diamond in Canada right now, but those loyal to Rogers are still waiting. As of this moment, we still can't locate the WinMo 6.1-based handset on the outfit's website, but MobileSyrup has it that the phone will soon be released for as low as $199.99 on a 3-year contract (with a minimum $45 voice / data plan). Oddly enough, we're also told that it'll be available with voice-only plans for $449.99 (3-year), $549.99 (1 to 2-year) and $599.99 (month-to-month), while a data-only plan is available on the $499.99 handset (3-year). Weird, we know -- which makes us all the more anxious to hear this gibberish from the horse's mouth.
