No iPhone for You, Canada
Mystery of the Week: So it has been months (nearly six to be precise) since the iPhone was launched to much acclaim and hoopla.
But we still have no iPhone in Canada, while it has been launched in other countries (Germany, France, the U.K. where consumers gleefully celebrated their purchases.).
How come we’ve become a third-class tech nation? Did we piss off Steve Jobs somehow? (Note: Has he even visited Canada?) Are we not enthusiastic enough iPod or MacBook buyers? Have we not given iTunes enough love? Is Rogers Wireless clinging to the idea it can sell the iPod with a data plan that only the rich could swallow and afford? Has Research in Motion got a deal with Customs Canada to block all iPhones at the border? What gives?
Whatever the reason, we’re a nation that has sadly resorted to guiltily hacking iPhones in dark alleys so we can a fix. It’s just not healthy…or right! We love technology, and our dollar gives us more buying power than ever (although it seems to have been shrinking by the day recently). So come on, Apple (and Rogers), bring it (the iPhone) on!
For more, check out iPhone Matters, who sympathizes with our plight. Just to rub things in, the iPhone now has 0.09% of browser market - pretty impressive for a wireless device..
Update: Maybe the iPhone’s delay in Canada has to do with the fact Toronto-based Comwave uses the iPhone brand name. Comwave filed a complaint earlier this year with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Maybe this is just my deeply-rooted hatred for Rogers talking (why can’t I have a dual tuner PVR in New Brunswick when you sell one in Ontario?), but I think the blame lies with them. Why else would Apple ignore us?
I can’t wait for the day I can replace my RAZR with an iPhone, but who knows when that will be…
December 4th, 2007 at 10:02 am
… and WM only has 0.6%. However, no one mentions the fact that the iPhone automatically comes with an unlimited data plan. If I had a similar plan on my WM device, I’d be using the browser a lot, lot, lot more (and email, and video, and streaming).
At these data prices, no way I’m going near an unlimited plan. 5$ for 1MB … please, be serious.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Europe with their cheaper data and unlimited data plans even, I can see the advantages of selling to Countries where record sales will be had. They can enjoy full use of the Iphone with out having to keep an eye on the data being used. Not to say Canada wont have extremely strong sales but there are a lot of Roger’s haters who wont switch for the IPhone even.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Mark, isn’t the delay because of the Comwave ownership of the iPhone trademark in Canada issue? I mean, I just figured that’s what it was. Apple (and/or Rogers) just trying to figure out how to write the smallest cheque possible to use the name here, no?
- Stuart
December 4th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Stuart: Good theory/idea. Now, that would be an interesting story. Have you seen it in the media anywhere?
December 4th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I think the primary reason for not having the iPhone north of 49 are the high data rates that our big 3 cell companies charge. Though the option of wi-fi exists, its limited to hotspots not a nation-wide network like EDGE, HSDPA or even EVDO. I commute daily into Toronto and see countless iPhones on the GO train, PATH system, hell even by a mechanic north of the city checking his email (greasy screen anyone?).
Looking back at the rise of RIM/Blackberry Ownership, I recall wondering why anyone would purchase such an expensive and huge phone? The main response? My company pays for it.
I own a Telus P4000, and love it but I hate the data costs.
Perhaps its the proportion of potential users of Canada’s total population? Or the lack of support at the commercial level?
My opinion is purely anecdotal, however it is an interesting debate.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Apple is awaiting an iPhone that can handle French; it will come out in March/April 2008 near the time of the France launch.
Conspiracy theorists can go chase other dragons now.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Sorry Jim, but as of Firmware 1.1.2, the iPhone supports French. So that’s not it. Better luck next time …