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More on the iPhone 3G

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Last week, Simon insisted that he wouldn’t be getting an iPhone when it’s introduced this week to Rogers’ lineup. Turns out he’s not alone – 52,000 people have signed a single online petition, and there are more petitions out there. There were rumours – now debunked – that Rogers was blocking access to the petition site.

The rumour mill has really started to spin out of control, though, with stories about Apple’s response. First, there were stories that the company was limiting Canada’s supply to punish Rogers – leading to thousands of job cuts among Rogers temp staff who had been hired to move the phones on Friday morning. There are further rumours that Apple stores will not be selling the iPhone and locking customers into those expensive three year plans.

All of this stuff should be taken with a grain of salt, of course: CTV says there’s nothing to either of them. Apple’s product launches always come with a healthy dose of rumours, most of which turn out to be completely off base.

Meanwhile, the first reviews of the new phone are available.

Comments

  1. Kim
    July 9th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    Apparently Rogers has now retreated on the pricing of the iPhone, at least, if not the contract length or unlimited data issues. Cbc.ca posted this story this afternoon:

    Rogers caves on iPhone pricing
    …
    Rogers Communications Inc. has bowed to public pressure and lowered the price of internet usage on Apple Inc.’s hotly awaited iPhone, which is being released in Canada on Friday.

    The company will now offer a $30-a-month plan that allows customers to use six gigabytes of internet data on the iPhone, on top of voice plans that start at $20 plus a system access fee of $6.95 a month.

    Rogers’ previous basic plan cost $66.95 and allowed only 400 megabytes of internet usage, the main reason behind many potential consumers’ outrage. The new data rates will also apply to other smartphones that run on Rogers’ third-generation cellphone network, including Nokia’s N-series, the Blackberry Bold and the Samsung Jack.
    …

    The article makes specific reference to the petitions at ruinediphone.com and cancelrogers.com

    My contract with Bell is up and, as I’ve been getting and haven’t been able to block daily unwanted texts for which I’ll soon be charged, so maybe…

    Then again, I could always continue the digital democracy and sign the NDP’s petition to Bell and Telus…

  2. Tim B
    July 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Well, it’s nice to see Rogers respond to customer feedback. This looks like a $10 fee decrease along with the more realistic Internet allowance. I might even agree to this (assuming the contract doesn’t have an absurd lock-in period). Good news!

  3. Kim
    July 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    The three-year minimum contract appears to remain, for now, at least.

    Interesting that this favourable publicity for Rogers comes at about the same the controversy over Bell’s and Telus’s forthcoming charges for incoming text messages is making the headlines. Let’s see what moves those two make in the next while. But I’ve always been a bit cynical… (And I don’t have any personal allegiance to one provider over any other.)

  4. Simon Chester
    July 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    And today’s Times gives us lots of reasons to just say no.