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Telus to bundle free Xbox 360 with every WP7 activation or renewal for a limited time, says leak
Buy this phone, won't you please buy this phone? We've no idea why Telus has to try so hard to convince Canadian buyers to grab themselves a Windows Phone 7 handset, but the carrier's expected to sweeten the deal dramatically over the next few days by bundling a freebie Xbox 360 with every WP7 device activation or renewal. The offer starts today, according to this leaked memo, and will last through to the end of the week, December 19th. Telus carries the HTC 7 Surround and LG Optimus 7, neither of which would seem to have caught fire quite the way Microsoft would have wanted. Ah well, if you're going to sell your wireless soul for a whole three years, you might as well do it for a phone-plus-console combo. [Thanks, Sean]
Canada's Galaxy S Froyo updates start rolling out this month
Samsung's probably wishing it could just forget its claim that it'd have Froyo rolled out to all carriers last month, but at least it's providing a little bit of updated guidance to its Canadian users. Turns out Bell's Vibrant and Rogers' Captivate are on track for the middle of this month, while owners of Telus' Fascinate will need to wait a little longer: "early 2011," to be exact, which really isn't exact at all since it could easily mean anywhere between January and, say, April or so. Of course, Gingerbread will be all over the place by then -- and we might even be seeing our first glimpses of Honeycomb -- so be prepared for your version envy to continue unabated. [Thanks, Seb]
Rogers, Telus already selling BlackBerry Bold 9780
Look, T-Mobile, don't feel bad -- Americans usually get scooped on new BlackBerry launches by their friendly neighbors to the north! RIM's a Canadian company, after all -- and as is frequently the case, the new Bold 9780 is seeing launches on both Rogers and Telus several days ahead of T-Mobile's retail go-live in the States. It'll run you CAD $149.99 (about $150) on Rogers and CAD $50 less -- CAD $99.99, that is, or about the same amount in US currency -- on Telus, so you can pretty much figure out who's trying to be the value brand here. Interestingly, if you go contract-free, the roles reverse: Rogers charges you CAD $449.99, while Telus asks CAD $499.99. Go figure! [Thanks to everyone who sent these in]
Microsoft announces ten Windows Phone 7 handsets for 30 countries: October 21 in Europe and Asia, 8 November in US (Update: Video!)
It may have "Windows" in the branding, but Windows Phone 7 is not the desktop PC experience shoehorned into a cellphone. Microsoft tried that with Windows Mobile... and we all know how that turned out. Today, eight months after the Windows Phone 7 OS unveiling in Barcelona, we're finally seeing the official launch of the retail hardware: nine new WP7 handsets, some available October 21 in select European and Asian markets and others from early November in the US. The phones will find their way to over 60 cellphone operators in more than 30 countries this year. Microsoft tapped Dell, HTC, LG, and Samsung to deliver the Snapdragon-based handsets with a carrier list that includes AT&T, T-Mobile USA, Vodafone, TELUS, América Móvil, Deutsche Telekom AG, Movistar, O2, Orange, SFR, SingTel, and Telstra. And that's just for the first wave -- Microsoft has even more handsets coming in 2011 including the first for Sprint and Verizon in the US. Here's the lineup of 480 x 800 pixel (WVGA) phones announced today: HTC 7 Surround -- The 3.8-inch T8788 with slideout speaker for AT&T and Telus HTC HD7 -- Schubert comes of age as a 4.3-inch HD2 cousin for T-Mobile and beyond HTC 7 Trophy -- the 3.8-inch Spark headed to international carriers HTC 7 Mozart -- another heavily leaked int'l player with 3.7-inch display Dell Venue Pro -- 4.1-inch portrait QWERTY slider for T-Mobile we broke as Lightning Samsung Focus -- AT&T's 4-inch Super AMOLED slate we broke as Cetus Samsung Omnia 7 -- the i8700 is a 4-inch Super AMOLED jobbie for Europe LG Optimus 7/7Q -- the E900 is the official 3.8-inch global workhorse LG Quantum -- AT&T's 3.5-inch landscape slider first seen as the C900 HTC 7 Pro -- a 3.6-inch QWERTY slider for Sprint (2011) "Glance and Go," is the slogan Microsoft is using to differentiate itself from an already crowded smartphone market. Something we've already seen alluded to in that leaked AT&T ad. As Ballmer notes, "Microsoft and its partners are delivering a different kind of mobile phone and experience - one that makes everyday tasks faster by getting more done in fewer steps and providing timely information in a 'glance and go' format." He's referring to WP7's customizable Live Tiles, of course. Xbox Live integration is another biggie with EA Games just announcing its first Xbox Live-enabled wares coming to Windows Phone 7 in the fall including "Need for Speed Undercover," "Tetris," "Monopoly," and "The Sims 3." The other big differentiators are the slick Metro UI, integrated support for Zune media and Zune Pass subscriptions, Bing search and maps, Windows Live including the free Find My Phone service, and Microsoft Office Mobile. Now quit stalling and jump past the break for the full list of handsets per carrier and country. Update: Added the official WP7 overview videos after the break.
LG Optimus 7, Quantum, and Optimus 7Q welcome Windows Phone 7 to the fold
LG was naturally expected to show up for today's announcement seeing how the company has been a longtime "strategic" partner of Microsoft's -- and indeed, they're bringing two models into the fold. First up is the Quantum (known as the Optimus 7Q in markets outside the US, pictured right) that we broke as the C900 back in August, a landscape slider equipped with quadband EDGE and triband HSPA (850 / 1900 / 2100MHz), 16GB of storage, a 5 megapixel camera with 720p video capture, a 3.5-inch WVGA display, and an all-too-familiar 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon core; as you might have guessed from the 3G bands, this puppy will be coming to AT&T. Next, the Optimus 7 (pictured left) will be seeing a much wider international release on Telus in Canada, America Movil in Mexico, Movistar and Vodafone in Europe, and SingTel in Singapore. What is it, you ask? Well, it's exactly what you'd figured by now from the leaks -- a 3.8-inch WVGA slate at 11.5mm thick with specs that largely mirror the Quantum's otherwise: 1GHz Snapdragon and 5 megapixel cam, notably. Both models will support "Play To," the brand name for the DLNA features LG touted back at IFA, allowing users to fling media to DLNA-compatible TVs, set-top boxes, and the like. Expect both the Optimus 7 and 7Q to start rolling out on October 21, eventually deploying in over 35 countries; on AT&T, the Quantum will run $199.99 when it hits in the next few weeks. Follow the break for LG's full press release.
HTC 7 Surround graces AT&T with a slideout speaker, Windows Phone 7 credentials
Need a break? No chance, there are still so many more phones to look at! HTC's sole Windows Phone 7 launch device for AT&T has just been revealed as the HTC 7 Surround. You'll remember this as the sexily titled T8788, which made us gape back in August with its unusual design that incorporates a slideout speaker. We can now add an integrated kickstand to the multimedia-friendly physical design, while the spec sheet (available in full after the break) is consistent with the rest of HTC's lineup. The 7 Surround offers a 3.8-inch WVGA display, a 1GHz Snapdragon chip from yesteryear, 576MB of RAM, 5 megapixel camera with 720p video, and Dolby Mobile and SRS Surround Sound technologies. This unconventional handset will be exclusive with AT&T in the US and Telus in Canada. Pricing in the US will be $199.99 on contract. %Gallery-104733%
Samsung Galaxy Apollo coming to Telus 'soon'
Don't get your hopes up for a Galaxy S-style blockbuster, but Telus is looking to add one of Sammy's lower-end Android sets from recent memory -- and as long as the price is right, we're sure they'll manage to sell a couple. The Galaxy Apollo features a 3.2-inch HVGA display -- TFT LCD, not Super AMOLED -- paired up with a 3 megapixel cam, HSPA, and 150MB of onboard storage bundled with a 2GB microSD card. So yeah, like we said, not exactly a Desire HD killer... but who knows, maybe they'll give 'em away along with a hug and a smile on a three-year contract. We don't have a date yet, but Telus says it's "coming soon." [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Telus turns Canadian Xbox 360s into IPTV boxes starting today
After years (and years) of waiting it's no surprise to see the Xbox 360 finally sliding into the role of IPTV set-top box, but we couldn't have seen Canada's Telus being the first in North America to offer the option. It only switched customers over to the Microsoft Mediaroom platform (also used by AT&T's U-Verse, where the feature should appear soon) powering its Optik TV package -- currently only available in Alberta and B.C. -- earlier this year, enabling this new multiroom setup. Of course, that means the Xbox 360 can't be the only set-top box in the house -- it just acts as a client to the main DVR for live TV watching, or to schedule and watch previously recorded programming. Subscribers owners can check the main website for access on their current Xbox 360 or grab a free new system by signing up for two years of internet access. Mediaroom 2.0 is expected to bring PCs and mobile devices into the fold at some point as well, but for now check out the Xbox 360 experience in our video demo after the break, as well as a press release with all the details.
Telus launching North America's first 42Mbps dual carrier HSPA+ network (update: Bell, too)
Australia's Telstra already claimed the title of World's First on this one, but Telus up in Canada isn't far behind, becoming the first carrier in North America to push HSPA+ up to 42Mbps through the magic of dual carrier technology. The concept, of course, is nothing new -- remember those "Shotgun" two-line 56k landline modems back in the day? Dual carrier isn't much different, employing two HSPA+ connection simultaneous to get an effective max theoretical throughput of 42Mbps. Telus has already wrapped up lab trials, but it expects to offer the blazing speeds to customers some time in the first quarter of 2011 with the launch of the first compatible devices -- USB modems at first, we'd presume -- and since Bell shares the network with Telus, we'd imagine that they're in cahoots on this as well. Rogers, ball's in your court. Follow the break for the full press release. [Thanks, Zach] Update: Bell reached out to us to let us know that they're in the thick of testing dual carrier HSPA+ as well with trials on real-world cell sites kicking off this month, and that "no one's ahead of Bell in testing this technology." As we mentioned before, Bell and Telus are in bed with each other for their HSPA airwaves, so it makes perfect sense.
BlackBerry Torch headed to Telus (update: and Rogers and Bell)
There had been some rumors floating around that the BlackBerry 9800 might be a Rogers exclusive, but it looks like that's won't be the case -- The Globe and Mail is reporting that phone, now known as the Torch, will be headed to Telus. Still no word on when that will happen, nor is there any word on any other carriers that will be picking up the device -- though there's no indication that it's a Telus-exclusive. Update: The Globe and Mail is now saying that the big three Canadian carriers (Rogers, Bell and Telus) have each confirmed they'll be getting the Torch. Still no launch details, though. Update 2: Rogers is now saying it'll launch in "the coming weeks."
Buying an iPhone 4 from a Canadian carrier? It's locked
We've been tipped this morning (and have now been able to confirm, thanks to our own Myriam Joire braving the lines) that if you buy an iPhone 4 in a Canadian carrier's store today, you leave with it locked to that carrier -- despite Apple's trumpeting that you can buy it SIM-free. It appears as though the activation process might be responsible for causing the carrier lock -- either that, or the carriers' subsidized models are shipped locked, unlike the full-price devices you can buy directly from Apple. Either way, it's a bummer, and it's certainly something to take into consideration before you buy. [Thanks, Chris] Update: We've now confirmed that the lock is happening at the time the phone is activated -- in other words, it begins life carrier-agnostic. Pretty wild stuff. Update 2: Tipster Mika G. tells us that unlocked phones purchased directly from Apple do not lock upon carrier activation, which jibes with Apple's wording that "you can change carriers at any time." Carrier-purchased phones, however, definitely do lock.
SLCD-equipped HTC Desire 'coming soon' to Telus
We'd already seen an HTC Desire with North American 3G hit the FCC, and it looks like we now know exactly where it's headed -- Telus has just announced that the phone is "coming soon" to its network. What's more, the carrier has also confirmed that the phone will be equipped with a 3.7-inch Sony Super LCD screen instead of the regular AMOLED display that's in short supply. Otherwise, the phone is the same Android 2.1-powered, Snapdragon-based, Sense-skinned device we've seen all along, which is hardly a bad thing -- unless you're waiting for a Desire HD, that is.
iPhone 4 hits T-Mobile Germany in June, three Canadian carriers in July
Hot on the heels of a three-way UK celebration, Deutche Telekom's reportedly managed to continue its coup -- if the company's Twitter account is to be believed, German exclusivity of the iPhone 4 will go to T-Mobile this June. Meanwhile, the English (and French) speaking world is still rolling out iPhone launch dates, as Canada's Rogers, Telus and Bell Mobility have all quietly announced the new superphone will be available "in the coming weeks" or "coming soon." Americans at Engadget HQ are supremely jealous of your choices, Canada... and rest assured that we feel Germany's pain, too. Update: T-Mobile is also continuing its tradition of carrying the iPhone in the Netherlands, with another announcement that's light on specifics. [Thanks, Xylias]
1.5 GHz Scorpion and quartet of HTC Windows Phone 7 handsets headed to North America?
Conflipper is a regular in the underworld of HTC ROM cooking. So when he tweets about unreleased devices and their respective carrier support you really outta listen. First up is the HTC Scorpion (aka, Olympian) which he claims is going to Verizon and Bell Mobility -- a device previously rumored to be packing Froyo with WiMax and a 1.5GHz Snapdragon whipped topping. Conflipper also claims to have the inside scoop on a quartet of Windows Phone 7 devices and their respective North American launch partners: the HTC Spark_W (Bell Mobility and Verizon), HTC Gold_W (Sprint), HTC Shubert (Telus), and the HTC Mondrian (Telus, Rogers and AT&T). Note that the "_W" in those handsets signifies a worldphone device with dual-mode CDMA and GSM radios. And in the immortal words of Klaus Meine, "Time, it needs time." So true.
Telus teasing a June 8 launch -- the HTC Triumph, perhaps?
So the popular rumor going around at the moment is that Telus is on the verge of releasing a Canada-flavored HTC Desire rebranded as the "Triumph," which seems pretty reasonable considering that the carrier has made no effort to launch the Nexus One and undoubtedly wants to pimp as many awesome phones as it can right now to drum up usage of its nascent HSPA network. This all lines up nicely with the fact that Telus' home page is now teasing an "unleashing" on June 8, less than two weeks from today. Sounds like a win -- provided they can keep the three-year contract price in check, of course. [Thanks, David]
SIM unlock now available for AT&T Palm Pre Plus
The method ain't new -- it's the same jictechnology developers offering the same code over at NextGenServer -- but it will yield different results when used on the latest and greatest webOS device. Yep, that Palm Pre unlock that enabled international GSM Pre units to work on AT&T, Telus and T-Mobile is now officially certified for use on AT&T's own Palm Pre Plus. That means your shiny new smartphone can now hop onto T-Mobile and Telus networks with a functioning SIM card from either carrier, but unlike other unlocks, this one will cost you $35.79. Or, you know, you could pick up Verizon's Pre Plus, nab a free mobile hotspot along the way, and pocket an old Nokia candybar for those overseas jaunts -- your call, broseph.
Motorola Backflip comes to Telus
Moto promised the Backflip (among other Android-powered wares) to its Canadian fans back in March, and it's now delivering thanks to an official launch on Telus. As you can clearly see, the phone isn't quite the same thing that AT&T customers are grabbing -- the outer bezel is a darker shade, something we suspect a good deal of users might prefer -- but otherwise, it's got the same processor, 5 megapixel camera, 3.1-inch HVGA display, and wacky hinge that we're already well-accustomed with. Whether that's a good thing or not... well, we'll leave that for potential buyers to decide, but you can pick it up for CAD $100 (about $99) on a three-year deal.
Telus Milestone users finally get a taste of Android 2.1's custard filling
If you're on Telus and you've been longingly waiting for your turn to jump onto the Android 2.1 bandwagon, that time is now. However, you're going to have to take a few steps to get aboard, as this update is not coming OTA. According to MobileSyrup, where you can find the full update instructions, you'll need to hit Motorola's site directly, accept an agreement, then download a software updater to your PC. After that you'll get a taste of multitouch in Maps, a new Facebook widget to clutter your desktop, and the option to enable up to nine homescreens -- something you can gloat about to your Droid-owning neighbors to the south. We're still making do with just 3. [Thanks, Sean]
Rogers, Telus both offering paid Android Market apps
For Americans, the ability to blow dollar after hard-earned dollar in the Android Market is old hat -- it's been happening since early last year -- but Canada's had a rougher go of it. Rogers just flipped the switch not long ago, and now Telus has joined the party, meaning most Canadians currently using Android-powered handsets can spend US dollars, euros, or yen to fill up their handsets' internal memory (the Market shows prices in each apps' local currency, and we're not aware of any Canadian apps at the moment). It's long overdue, so we're picturing an epic spending spree this week as these guys blow off some steam -- but hey, there are worse ways to go bankrupt, right?
Motorola Backflip, DEXT, and Quench all inbound for Canada in the first half of the year
Without naming names, Motorola's Canadian outpost dropped some teasers today that versions of all three of its midrange Blur-powered Android handsets for GSM networks -- the Backflip, DEXT, and Quench -- will be coming to the country in the first half of 2010. What's more, they'll be hitting "all three national wireless carriers" -- a little bit of a slap for Mobilicity and WIND, yes, but generally good news for the overwhelming majority of subscribers. Perhaps the most interesting bit here is that they've called out the DEXT by name, continuing Moto's tradition of going with European branding over American for its Canadian launches, a trend started by Telus' Milestone. We don't yet know which carrier will get which phone, what they'll retail for, or precisely when they'll be on shelves, but needless to say, the Google-powered situation north of the border just got a whole lot prettier.
