iPhone 4 Announced
Add comment June 7, 2010
Mobilicity launches their Chinese name + Asian and South Asian themed portal
I just got back from a Mobilicity media event at a karaoke bar in Pacific Mall. They just launched their Ethnic themed portal for their users which has Asian and South Asian themed content. They also launched their Chinese name. Watch the video to see how to pronounce it.
1 comment June 3, 2010
Public Mobile Refreshes Plans
Public Mobile, Canada’s new mobile start up, has just refreshed their rate plans. A posting on the company blog explains the changes.
Public Mobile now have updated plans, adding more value to the $40 unlimited talk and text plan, and adding an unlimited talk plan for only $24. Our updated $40 unlimited talk and text plan now includes voicemail and call display, plus, if you don’t feel you’ll use the text part of the plan, you can trade it for unlimited Canadian long distance. Our new $24 plan includes unlimited talk with call waiting, call forwarding and conference calling, great for those who just want to call and talk. And without credit checks, contracts or surprises.
While I personally think it was too soon for Public Mobile to change their rate plans it is nice to see a company reacting to the competition and their customer’s suggestions.
live_strong
2 comments June 2, 2010
VMC BB Pearl 3G
Virgin Mobile Canada has released the BlackBerry Pearl 3G (9100). The Pearl 3G is an affordable $49.99 on a 3 year term or $349.99 on a 30 day agreement.
The smallest, lightest BlackBerry® smartphone is back and it’s better than ever. Say hello to the BlackBerry Pearl™ 3G. Jam-packed with everything you want in one hot little package, the Pearl comes powered up with a SureType™ keyboard with optical trackpad navigation, a 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth™
Bad news for those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, because the Pearl 3G operates on Bell’s HSPA network it is currently no available for your provinces.
live_strong
Add comment June 2, 2010
Acer Liquid E
Rogers Wireless has officially released the Acer Liquid E powered by Android OS 2.1.
This Android 2.1 smartphone allows for easy integration with Google apps and your favourite social networks. The large 3.5″ touch screen enables viewing of high-definition videos and features a powerful processor, 5.0 MP camera, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS as well as 3G speeds.
Pick up you Acer Liquid E at your local Rogers dealer or online today for the following price points:
$49.99-3 year term
$324.99-2 year term
$379.99-1 year term
$424.99-no term
live_strong
Add comment June 2, 2010
Blackberry Pearl 9100 now on Rogers for $49.99 on a 3 Year
The Blackberry Pearl 9100 is now available on Rogers for $49.99 on a voice and data plan (minimum $45 a month) or $424.99 straight up.
I reviewed on a while back. I hated the original Pearl but the new 9100 is much better than the old one.
1 comment June 2, 2010
Nokia Ovi Store now bills directly to your Rogers/Bell/TELUS bill
Attention Canadians: Purchases made from the Ovi Store can now be billed directly to your Rogers/Bell/TELUS bill.
Add comment June 1, 2010
iPad and iPad 3G launches with service on Bell or Rogers
The iPad and iPad 3G have just launched in Canada. If you don’t know what the iPad think of it this way: The iPad is to the iPhone like a Big Mac is to a cheese burger; a Dr Evil to Mini me, that sort of thing. It’s basically a large iPhone with a 9.7″ higher resolution display with a faster processor (1Ghz vs 600Mhz) and no ability to make calls over the network in a tradional sense anyways. There are 2 versions; one with WiFi and another with WiFi and HSPA. You can choose from 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions which cost $549, $649 and $749 while adding 3G costs $129.
3G services requires a micro SIM card which you can get from Bell or Rogers. 500MB of data costs $15 for 30 days or $35 5GB. If you use up all your data before 30 days is up you can purchase more. Both include unlimited WiFi at Rogers and Bell hotspots. Apparently you can sign up for Rogers plus purchase more data using just the iPad. There’s no need to phone in. Both provide tools to let you view your usage from the iPad.
Bell is allowing use of their Mobile TV until August 31st. Rogers is working on letting you share data from your Rogers phone’s existing data plan (that might come later).
You can pick up a Rogers or Bell micro SIM card from the Apple store, Best Buy or Futureshop. I just checked the Apple online store and it seems you can only choose to include a Rogers micro SIM for an additional $0.20.
2 comments May 28, 2010
Blackberry Pearl 3G review
I have something to admit, I really like the Curve Bold and Storm 2. I also have to admit that I hate the Pearl. While I’ve never posted a review for the Pearl I did get one to review a while back and I hated it so much I couldn’t use it enough to post a review. It was slow, I hated the Sure Type keyboard, didn’t like the low resolution 240×240 display and it was just a very dated design (I was playing with a 8120).
While the Pearl 9100 is powered by a 624Mhz processor and packs 256MB of RAM (both identical to the Bold 9700) plus it has a 360×400 display. I have to admit I was still skeptical. After all it still uses Sure Type and still has a smallish display.
The silicon cases in my video don’t ship with the 9100 but are optional accessories.
6 comments May 25, 2010
Samsung Messenger review
Here’s the Samsung Messenger. It’s a Windows Mobile 6.5 phone with a QWERTY keyboard, 320×320 display and a 3.2MP camera. It’s available on Bell for $0 on a voice an data plan or $50 on Rogers.
With Windows Phone 7 just around the corner it’s hard to get excited about WinMo 6.5 phones. That was my initial reaction when I got the Messenger (I took it out of the box and then forgot about it). Later I realized some people are used to WinMo 6.5 personal/Microsoft Smartphone and aren’t interested in moving to a new platform.
Like I mentioned the Messenger runs Windows Mobile 6.5. I’ll be honest I haven’t used many WinMo Personal (MS smartphone) devices lately. I do own a HTC Snap but to be honest it was so boring I don’t remember where I put it nor do I remember anything about it other then that the the keyboard was nice. The last MS Smartphone I used for a time was a Motorola Q9h which was running 6.0.
Smartphone has not aged well at all and while it has decent basic functionality it feels really dated. It’s like when my sister in law makes a big turkey. First we all enjoy it, then after 4 days of eating turkey left overs we’re sick of it. That’s how I feel about Smartphone.
While it’s powered by a 528Mhz processor (standard stuff), device speed feels adequate to slightly sluggish at times. I do wish it would scroll faster in Internet Explorer. One nice upgrade is that you get a 320×320 display instead of the usual 320×240 – so you can see 33% more. It’s still not enough but it is a welcome change.
Check out my unboxing and hands on video to see the Messenger:
1 comment May 22, 2010
