Iphone comming to Canada July 11

[Asianguy69]

I just heard that Rogers is going to have the new Apple Iphone available on the Rogers 3G network. It will come in the 8Gig or 16Gig. The phone is a little thinner and comes in black or white.

I would like some feedback on the Iphone? Is it good or bad, pro's and con's.

Currently i am running an HTC TYTN, would i be downgrading if i went with an Iphone?

Thanks,

Asianguy69

 

[JustCallMeR]

HTC TyTN versus iPhone 3G

It depends on what is most important to you.

I would have to rate the iPhone's web browsing system and it's unique approach to viewing / rendering typical web sites FAR better on the iPhone.

Ability to deal with corporate web sites for email (Blackberry like) is now about the same with the new Blackberry like push email systems on the new (not old) version of the iPhone.

Slide out keyboard (better) on the HTC. - Doesn't exist on the iPhone.

Synching email / contact / calender stuff better on the windows based HTC UNLESS you go with the new $100 a year Apple service. That service automatically updates any email / contact / calender changes that you make on your desktop Outlook system or iPhones system LIVE across all of your Mac, Windows and iPhone systems. It also has a great deal of online live storage space, picture galleries, etc, with that service. I would rate the new iPhone better on the synching stuff IF you have that additional $100 annual service, otherwise I'd give HTC the edge.

Camera specs, bluetooth, WiFI and GPS (only on the new iPhone) about the same.

External expandable memory exists on the HTC which is a much better approach than the fixed memory in the iPhone.

Steve Jobs claimed that the maximum price for the new 8 Gig iPhone around the world would be $199 U.S. or $299 U.S. for the 16 Gig version, but I'm assuming that's with activation (Rogers isn't saying yet).

Hope that helps!

 

[CalgaryJenn]

I am using the HTC touch phone and it is identical and does everything the Apple Iphone does. I can upload picture, videos and music and a 4gig memory card in my phone on top of the 1 gig it originally comes with which is more than enough memory for me to use. The Iphone is just another "cool new gimmick" that everyone will run and flock to.

But this is just my .02

 

[JustCallMeR]

CalgaryJenn, I love your taste in motorbikes, but I have to disagree with you ONLY as far as the web browser goes!

The iPhone web browser created real shock waves when developers and users first saw it, because they approached it in a totally new way from anything that had been previously done by HTC, Blackberry and other mobile devices.

The big differences were 1) That typical web sites that weren't designed for mobile devices suddenly were much more usable and looked like you expected them to, plus 2) The whole user interface was an entirely new approach from anything that had been done previously. If you haven't actually used an iPhone web browser before, think of the shock of going from an old MS-DOS computer to Windows or a Mac (I'm actually a Windows guy and not a Mac guy, but the iPhone really does change the rules!).

I did find this review / comparison of the HTC, Blackberry and iPhones:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/infrastructure/reviews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201202372&pgno=6

--- Edit note: The above review is about older versions of all 3 devices. But the user interface hasn't significantly changed on any of the newer models (althought the iPhone is now running on the faster 3G service). So this review's purpose is useful in trying describe the major experience difference in what it's like to use each of them. ---

Now don't get me wrong, everyone will start copying that same type of approach, they just haven't yet. And I have to stress that if web browsing isn't that important to you, then the equation as to what you should buy changes COMPLETELY!

 

[Asianguy69]

Hey thanks all for the input on the comparison. I still need to see one in action, to base my decision. Other insite would be appriciated...

 

[hotrod4U]

iphone sucks

I've had an iphone since january. All the cool stuff is cool. itunes is very limited (file sharing) in what old ipods could do. Insurance not available. ATand t saves all the photos I send on a computer because of terrrists. $80/month. $100 for 1Mb of data through Rogers.

I had my phone in my pocket with a small laser pointer, I bent down and snap, the glass spiderwebbed from the earhole. $250 to fix.

I am seriously considering the $200 to get out of my two year contract.

 

[HunkyBill]

I am considering the iPhone myself. Remember, this is a NEW iPhone that is suppose to be better and cheaper than the old, first generation iPhone.

I have eliminated the Nokia N95, what I feel is the iPhones real competitor as it has issues with it since Rogers fucked with it. I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone has similar problems. The iPhone has a very large screen which many people prefer. The camera is only 2 MP which is small. The interface is suppose to be really good and that's where the iPhone really shines. The built-in GPS is yet to be announced as far as brand/make. In any case, you will likely be limited with that GPS and use up your expensive data to be able to use it. With the N95 you can buy and download GPS software onto it and have it work without having to access Rogers internet/data. The iPhone has no external memory card on it which makes no sense to me.

Again, it really depends on your needs. I havent played with HTC phone but that's already an old model.

In a few months I will likely pick an iPhone up and take it out for a test drive. I am leaning toward the iPhone because of all the problems with the N95.

 

[JustCallMeR]

How much Rogers is going to charge for data (or a combined voice/data plan?) is definitely the part that we are all waiting for.

They DID announce a heavily reduced data traffic "flexrate" for their "new faster" data network (I'm guessing it's the 3G network) a couple of months ago.

It basically changes between $50 a month for 50 Mb of data, $65 a month if you use up to 1 Gig, along with various other steps up to $100 for 5 Gigs of data used.

http://your.rogers.com/business/wireless/plans_services/business_plans.asp?plan=flexrate

We don't know yet if that's the same plan that they'll use for the iPhone or whether they'll do something entirely different.

 

[neon]

Compare of my old HTC tytn,I am pretty happy for my iphone, since the phone is hacked, so I can install a lot of program on it, only downside is beside voice plan, I need pay extra $80/ 500MB. Like to see what Rogers will offer for the new iphone package.

It basically changes between $50 a month for 50 Mb of data, $65 a month if you use up to 1 Gig, along with various other steps up to $100 for 5 Gigs of data used.

http://your.rogers.com/business/wireless/plans_services/business_plans.asp?plan=flexrate

I was told that plan is for PC CARD only, Roger won't let me apply those.

 

[Asianguy69]

I like all the feedback, from you all. Do you think Rogers is going to have an unlimited package for the Iphone. I believe the states has something like that, you pay one price and unlimited everything. ie: text msg, pic msg, email, and internet. I read a review someplace that to fully utilize the iphone you must have the internet on it.

 

[JustCallMeR]

Re: The FlexPlan data pricing...

"I was told that plan is for PC CARD only, Roger won't let me apply those."

Wow, that sucks. It really sounds like Rogers is trying to penalize those that bought iPhones without waiting to get them through Rogers.

I see that Fido and Rogers will both offer the 3G iPhone on July 11th for the same $199 price (8 Gig), but neither has released any details about the price plans other than both will require a contract (Rogers has also now said that it will be for 3 years). I can't help suspecting that both price plans will be very similar...

I also can't help wondering what will happen to the price of the existing used iPhones out there!??

And AsianGuy, we only know that Apple was really pushing all of the phone companies that got the deal to have much more attractive voice and data plan packages (preferably one unlimited price) as part of their agreement with Apple. However, we know that a lot of the previous policies that Apple had (ongoing revenue sharing, etc) have changed with the new agreements, so absolutely anything could happen.

Unfortunately, we just don't really know yet!

 

[neon]

Do you think Rogers is going to have an unlimited package for the Iphone. I believe the states has something like that, you pay one price and unlimited everything. ie: text msg, pic msg, email, and internet. I read a review someplace that to fully utilize the iphone you must have the internet on it.

I don't think Roger will provide unlimited data, if they do, I am the first guy to apply, Iphone is hungry for data, when I switch the HTC to iphone, I didn't upgrade my 1MB plan to 500MB, at the end of the month, the bill come in is $2760, and I find out, my SO use it for watch youtube, and she though the phone was use WiFi.

 

[JustCallMeR]

Well it looks more and more like the data plan pricing really has leaked out.

See http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/

It appears that you will need to buy your iPhone for $199 (8 Gig) or $299 (16 Gig) from Rogers with a three year contract. The existing voice pricing plans apply but you'll also be required to choose between one of two UNLIMITED data plans that are either $35 or $45 (Corporate / Exchange user).

I didn't believe it at first, but the supporting evidence out there looks pretty strong.

So the entire voice plus "unlimited" data package will run, depending on what you choose, from $60 to $85. Then you add some of the options and fees and taxes, etc. So you'll end up actually being billed somewhere between $90 and $120 a month.

It's not stunningly great or anything, but it is much better than I expected, especially the "unlimited" data part!

I can't help noticing how many used iPod Touches and iPhone are suddenly being sold on CraigsList. Even though most of them are still have prices that are out to lunch, the average price has been dropping a fair bit each day. Still, as the data pricing plans do not appy to non Rogers iPhone devices, it looks like the used AT&T / Generation 1 iPhones will be useful as paperweights and that's about it.

 

[Asianguy69]

Data Plan

Wow thanks for the link on the Iphone Data plan prospects. Sounds good i think for $30 unlimited data and web, i would be in for that. Keeping my fingers crossed on it....

 

[Noob888]

. Sounds good i think for $30 unlimited data and web, i would be in for that. Keeping my fingers crossed on it....

No way! That's too expensive. In Canada we're getting ripped off big time with the most expensive wireless data plans in the world. Rogers does have an unlimited web browsing package for $7 a month which is more reasonable. But if anyone is able to write off their plans, then money is no object, right?

BTW, Rogers has a bad rap sheet with introducing new phones and the many problems or growing pains associated in having them. That's why a Rogers tech told me to wait at least 3 months so the bugs can be addressed and hopefuly worked out before buying either the iPhone or the Nokia N95, the iPhone's closest competitor.

 

[Asianguy69]

Yes or No ?

Iphone 3G Yes or No?

Should i or shouldn't i?

 

[Noob888]

How much $$ do you have and how much do you want to spend?
Rogers has changed their pricing and the iPhone will be part of their data package so your monthly cell phone will be freaken expensive.

If you can write it off, go for it. If not, forget it. For me, I would hate to spend all this money on an iPhone and lose it.

 

[JustCallMeR]

We got screwed

Official pricing release from Rogers and it's WAY higher than anything previously reported or that you can reasonably imagine...

http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1606278442&view=5804-0&Start=0

Also be aware that the number of web page they claim you can visit for the data amount is total fiction (divide the numbers by 100 if you watch anything with any videos on it, etc).

After using the iPhone extensively in Europe, I was REALLY looking forward to getting it here.

Now, there's just no way.

 

[Noob888]

Europe? I thought the iPhone was only (officially) available in USA until next week.
Yeah, I heard that about the pricing today. Those fuckers at Rogers. Looks like onlythe rich folks and those with business accounts will be the only demographics that can afford the phone and plan.

 

[JustCallMeR]

Europe? I thought the iPhone was only (officially) available in USA until next week.

No, Apple and O2 released the iPhone throughout the UK last November. I was in a number of other European countries and didn't have any problems using it in most of them. But obviously it was not the new iPhone 3G model.