We’ve had a number of unconfirmed tips over the last few days about this so we figured we’d post it… apparently it seems that Rogers in Canada is in the process of shipping iPhone 3GS 8GB flavor handsets to stores. Again, unconfirmed, no idea on pricing (we have no clue where to start on that) but we felt it was newsworthy to at least let you guys know what we’re hearing.

[via BGR]

The original plans were known to be quite pricey, causing many a Canadian iPhone user to grumble. But check out the stats Rogers has compiled for the first month of data use in percentages:

• 1.2% of customers used more than 1GB.
• 95% of customers used less than 500MB.
• 91.2% of customers used less than 100MB.

Looks like their prior idea to have a 400MB plan was actually pretty close to correct. But that doesn’t matter now. iPhone users in Canada can use their data like it’s going out of style.

[via Engadget Mobile]

It’s not unlimited, no, but Rogers are keen to point out that 6GB is enough to do plenty of data-intensive stuff:

“For example, with 6GB of data, iPhone 3G users can visit 35,952 web pages, or send and receive 157,286 emails, or watch 6,292 minutes of YouTube videos each and every month” Rogers Wireless press release

Visual Voicemail, however, is being treated as separate from data, and as such is being priced at $8 a month.  Text messages too will be separate rather than bundled.  There’s no word on what – if anything – will take the 6GB plan’s place once the promotion ends.  Incidentally, it’s not just new iPhone owners who can take advantage of the 6GB plan.  Any user signing up before August 31st can add it to their voice package.

The carrier also announced that six stores will be opening at 8am on Friday to cater for early customers.  These are:

• Toronto: 112-10 Dundas Street East
• Montreal: 1015 rue St. Catherine Ouest
• Ottawa: 690 Bank Street
• Halifax: Unit 265, 7001 Mumford Road
• Calgary: 5244 Falsbridge Gate, NE
• Vancouver: 2097 West Broadway

According to rumor, Apple is now diverting shipments of iPhones bound for Canada to other countries which may have high demand. It is said that stores will likely receive around 10-20 phones each, and are being told not to promise to have large quantities come launch day.

Some might say that Apple is displeased with Rogers, and is doing this out of spite, or as a punishment. However, I see this as simply a matter of demand. If Apple believes that sales of their new phone will be slow in Canada, why bother sending a bunch there? Might as well send them to another country that doesn’t have petitions floating around against the iPhone’s carrier.

Either way, I seriously hope that Rogers feels the full impact of their mistake. While the iPhone is easily one of the hottest phones around, you can only charge so much for it.

[via AppleInsider]

• $60 – 150 daytime minutes, 75 sent text messages, 400MB of data
• $75 – 300 daytime minutes, 100 sent text messages, 750MB of data
• $100 – 600 daytime minutes, 200 sent text messages, 1GB of data
• $115 – 800 daytime minutes, 300 sent test messages, 2GB of data

I feel really bad for the Canadian customers that want an iPhone. First, there is no unlimited data plan, which while some people may never go over that 2GB cap on the $115 plan, I still would much rather not have to worry about it. As for the customers that don’t really use that many daytime minutes, they’re still forced into purchasing more minutes just to get more data.

There are a few things that Rogers is throwing in, like free incoming text messages, and free access to Rogers and Fido Wi-Fi hotspots. While those are a couple of niceties, they don’t make up for what the plans are lacking.

[via MacRumors]

Rogers Wireless president Madir Mohamed announced recently that they are, in fact rolling out new data plans to accommodate more frequent data usage. He notes that the average Rogers customer pays roughly $63 each month for voice, data and messaging service. They expect that the average iPhone subscriber will end up paying more like $90, with most of the additional expense being attributed to data usage.

This gives Canadian users an idea of what they can expect to pay per month for their iPhone. Unfortunately it will still be a couple of weeks before the actual plan prices are revealed.

[via Electronista]

As far as software goes on the iPhone, Sun discussed porting Java to the iPhone. According to the CEO of Sun Microsystems, Jonathan Schwartz, Java will be in the future of the iPhone. He noted that there are no technical problems getting Java ported, however there could be some problems with Apple’s EULA. Either way, he seems optimistic about the process.

Java is not the only software related news that came about this weekend. McAfee’s anti virus software for the iPhone was leaked. At first, it seemed the software was a fake, and was not made by McAfee. It was later shown that it was software by McAfee, but it was a proof of concept. The official word is they do not yet know if they will bring this software to the iPhone. They did say they are pleased with the community reaction.

The folks at Goldstriker are up to it again. This time with a Lamborghini themed iPhone. The device itself is a 16GB iPhone, running with 1.1.4 firmware. I don’t know, I kind of like it. Maybe a little over the top, but hey, you only live once. The price tag on this special edition iPhone is just under $1500.

A image of what is rumored to be the 3G iPhone surfaced this week. The device, actually bears resemblance to the LG Vu on AT&T. The back looks very scuffed up. Why allow the hottest discussed device to get all messed up like that? It seems very unlikely, that this is the new iPhone. The photo is at the top of this post; you decide!.

It is also rumored that the specifications and dimensions of the new iPhone have been leaked to accessory manufacturers. This is not confirmed, but it is possible. It makes sense, as then the new iPhone would have all sorts of cases and accessories at launch. I guess we will know for sure when the device launches. Until then, unless a manufacturer steps up and says this is true and can prove it, this one is done.

Apple fans in Canada finally have something to get excited over. The iPhone will be making it’s way to Rogers by the end of the year. This information comes right from Ted Rogers, the president and CEO of he carrier. All that was said is “it is coming”, and to “stay tuned”. Details are very few at the moment. In reality, only Apple and Rogers know for sure.

“We’re thrilled to announce that we have a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Canada later this year. We can’t tell you any more about it right now, but stay tuned.” -Ted Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers

That is the entire press release, I am not kidding. However it comes right from the President and CEO himself. Why can he not tell us any more about it? There are a few possibilities. Why negotiate with Apple and just get the original iPhone ‘later this year’? You know what I am getting at. It could be the 3G iPhone, which is why he has to be mum. Rogers has the HSDPA network, so it is possible.

The other possibility, is he is just wanting to build up a little hype. Either seem possible, and either would not surprise. This story is still developing. Check back for any more information that we get a hold of.

[Via CNW Group]

Sure, the ad looks pretty convincing, but it’s a rumor because its nowhere to be found on Rogers site, and can only be found through various places where it appears to have been leaked. The ad says the iPhone will sell for $499.99 Canadian with a 3-year contract.

There is a lack of mention of partnerships with Canada on the Apple site, and like I said, there is no mention of it on Rogers’ site so this might all be a hoax. But if not, congratulations on finally being blessed with your very own iPhone Canada.

Rumor: Rogers Canada getting iPhone for holidays [via slashgear]

However, Rogers Wireless claims that no deal has been made with Apple regarding the iPhone, and that while they would “love” to carry the handset Apple’s “attentions lie elsewhere”.  Presumably this means Europe and particularly the UK, which is ramping up for the cellphone’s launch in November.  Molson themselves are back-peddling and blaming a misprint: rather than suggesting the iPhone prizes would be presented in January, they would actually be give no earlier than January 2008. 

For the few winners of the Molson competition that means an unknown delay before they can start playing with their prize; for the rest of Canada, it means the vague hope of the iPhone dropping into stores at the start of the new year looks resolutely unlikely.

Article author Peter Nowak compares AT&T’s basic iPhone plan (costing $59.99) with Rogers’ best value, “Right Fit” package (costing Canadian $97, US $93).  The former comes with 450 anytime minutes, 5,000 evening/weekend minutes, unlimited data and 200 SMS messages; the latter a measly 250 anytime, no evening/weekend, a capped 25MB data allowance and no included texts.  In addition, voicemail, caller ID, long-distance and roaming are all paid-for extras on the Rogers’ plan; Nowak adds on the relevant packages and comes up with a $145 price tag.

“That’s still a greatly inferior plan to AT&T’s with nowhere near the same data allowance and almost half the talk time. By any measure, Rogers is giving far less for far more” Peter Nowak, National Post

The concern is that the iPhone will be priced out of the market for all but the wealthiest users and, while Rogers is yet to respond, if demand is as high in Canada as it has been in the US then people will end up either breaking their contract (officially or otherwise) or simply avoiding the handset altogether.

[via Electronista]