Fido

The sleek and sexy Nokia E71 is preparing a launch later this year in Canada via Fido’s network.  With a photo leaked showing the device in action, it is only a matter of time before either Nokia or Fido come clean with their scheming and make the official E71 announcement.  While we wait (and hope) for a price tag and release date, a watchful eye over at Mobile Syrup has been carefully perusing the Fido website.

On the downloadable images page on Fido.com under the ‘Select Your Handset Model’ the Nokia E71 is now listed.  It looks like you can now download images for your imaginary E71 while we wait for the release date, but the good news is this is just more evidence that a launch is coming, and coming soon.

Source

The latest in Nokia full QWERTY and sleek styling, formally known as the E71, is rumored to be making an appearance for our friends to the north.  According to MobileSyrup, Candians will have their chance to pickup the Nokia E71 on Fido in the near future.  While buying an unlocked E71 is a viable option at this time, those looking to save a little coin may want to opt for the contract with Fido’s service instead.

It seems that it would make more sense if Rogers Wireless was launching the Nokia E71 since Fido is simply a Roger’s owned MVNO and geared towards the younger generation.  But despite our intuition, we are going to go with this one until proven otherwise and let the Nokia insider over at MobileSyrup take the heat when the Internet calls for heads to roll.  As with any rumor, take this with a grain of salt and do not expect a release date or pricing information until we sort out the details.

Source: Mobile Syrup

If you have a growing allegiance to Sony Ericsson and Walkman phones, FIDO has just added the Sony Ericsson W380a to their lineup.  The SE W380a is a triband GSM device running off GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz and data connectivity that tops out at EDGE speeds.  In a world where 3G data connections have become the standard for many mobile users, those looking for an affordable phone capable of playing their latest music should find the SE W380a attractive.  The W380a supports Sony Micro M2 memory cards up to 2GB for storing music, videos and photos taken on the 1.3 megapixel camera which has 4x digital zoom and picture blogging capabilities.  As with most SE launches the W380a will be bundled with a 512MB memory card which should hold plenty of pictures off the 1.3 megapixel camera, but an upgrade will in line for users hoping to store their MP3 collections.

The Sony Ericsson W380a will be available for $300 without contract, $160 on a 2 year and $60 on a 3 year.  There are two colors offered by Sony for the W380, Electric Purple and Magnetic Grey, but we are not sure whether one or both colors will be offered on FIDO’s network.

Sony Ericsson W380a Specifications:

• 3.6 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches, 3.5 ounces
• Colors: Electric Purple, Magnetic Grey
• Memory Stick M2 support up to 2GB
• 14MB of internal storage
• EDGE, GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
• Talk time up to 7 hours, Standby time up to 300 hours
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
• Access NetFront Web Browser
• Bluetooth Stereo A2DP

Once again HowardForums has come through big with some very special news to anyone using Rogers / Fido and hoping to test their luck with the upcoming iPhone 3G set to launch July 11th.  The good news here is that pricing is identical to At&t here in the US with a $30 / month data add-on and a $45 Enterprise Data add-on.  Also following in accordance with Steve Jobs promise that the iPhone would be no more than $199 / $299 worldwide, Rogers / Fido have used this as their price point.  While it will not match the 1 Euro price point of our European friends, the fact that the data plans are reasonable is grounds for celebration. The only possible negative is that as far as the contract goes, 3 years is the requirement with no options for a ‘no-commitment price’ or a 2 year contract.  

Thanks i.Fido over @ Howardforums for the news

***Confidential Rogers Information. For Internal Distribution Only.***

Rogers and Apple today announced that the iPhone 3G will be available in Canada on July 11. iPhone 3G combines three products into one small, lightweight device: a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and it puts the Internet in your pocket with the best e-mail, web browsing, search and maps applications ever on a mobile phone.

The new version of the iPhone harnesses the power of Rogers’s broad and powerful 3G mobile broadband network, which offers 3G mobile phones download speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps.

Key Device Features:

Operates on Wi-Fi, EDGE, and 3G networks
New enterprise e-mail capability with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
New iPhone software development kit (SDK) to support new innovative applications

New Activation Process and Return Policy:
The iPhone 3G will be activated at point of sale when the device is purchased, in store. The Fido grace period will change from 15 days to 30 days and will require the device to be returned to place of purchase before service is cancelled. The 30-day Rogers grace period will remain unchanged with the exception of no limits being imposed for voice or data usage.

Pricing and Plans
Device Pricing:
$199 8GB and $299 16GB for new activations and qualified upgrades with existing 2 or 3-year agreements.

Data Plans and Pricing:
The iPhone 3G will be activated on existing Rogers and Fido voice rate plans, but new data plans have been created for the 3G device.

All iPhone 3G customers are required to have one of the new data plans and qualifying voice plan.
Customers intending to use the iPhone 3G for access to corporate e-mail, business applications, or access to corporate intranet are required to activate with Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone.
SUP service discounts for both voice and data plans will apply to iPhone 3G.
RAC service discounts for voice and data will apply to iPhone 3G, when on a qualifying data plan.
Ambassadors will not get a discount on device purchase for iPhone 3G.
Data Pricing will be as follows:

Consumer Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$30 - Unlimited Data (E-mail/Web), includes Visual Voicemail when subscribed to any voicemail service.

Enterprise Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$45 – Unlimited Data with personal and corporate e-mail, web, includes Visual Voicemail when subscribed to any voicemail service.

Upgrade Eligibility and Qualified Upgrade Pricing
Upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard upgrade eligibility rules. Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. Rogers has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.

All customers will be required to sign a 3-year agreement. There will not be a “no commitment” price or a 2-year agreement for the iPhone 3G.

Activation Process
The new 3G device will be activated in store in Rogers, Fido and Apple stores. Customers must accept Rogers and Apple terms of service, sign a 3-year agreement, and select the data plan for the iPhone 3G before leaving the store. A short tether process to unbrick the 3G device will be performed in all Rogers and Fido stores (tether cords will be provided). Apple stores will also perform this tether process, however in the event that a customer’s device is not tethered in the Apple store, their device will be inoperable until they get home and tether through iTunes. Prepaid will not be allowed on the iPhone 3G device.

RAC tools, including TOE and Salescentral have been modified to allow agents to enter customer’s information, select rate plans and data plans, device price (if applicable) and output a document that will allow store reps to quickly access the customer’s information and save time for data entry in the activation process.

Compensation
Because the 3G device will only be activated in store, compensation for the 3G device will be BAU. RAC reps will receive compensation for upgrades and new activations with a 3-year agreement.

Purchase Limit
The device purchase limit will be three (3) per customer for iPhone 3G in Rogers and Fido stores.

Direct Fulfillment
The DFU tool will be available at launch at RAC for iPhone 3Gs. Customers will be required to pay for the device when the order is placed and the phone will be shipped to the store in the customer’s name for pickup.

Return Policy
The return policy for Fido iPhone 3G is changing from 15 days to 30 days for both Apple and Fido stores. The 30-day Rogers grace period will remain unchanged with the exception of no limits being imposed for voice or data usage.

To cancel service within the first 30 days, the customer must return their equipment to the place of purchase (no exceptions).
If the customer cancels service after 30 days, they will be charged the ECF and DECF. The customer is not required to return the device to cancel after 30 days.

Merchandising/Marketing

3G demos will be pulled from stock when they arrive following launch process for display devices.
Video loop content will be pushed to stores when it is available.
The following merchandising elements will be in stores for launch:

Rate brochure and display rate card
22 x 28 poster
Window banner

Training

Device training, including features and functionality, will be available via Library and Fidoversity by 6/30.
Training for all representatives will begin no later than 7/1.
Launch preparedness training, including last minute details, will be conducted the week of launch (if needed) by team leaders.
Communications/Library
All iPhone-related communications, inclusive of training announcements, will be posted to Library. Search on keyword “iPhone 3G” to locate.

Launch Plans
Support logistics for launch day will be available:

Letters will be sent to all landlords under VP/GM signature for advance notice of store hours, crowds expected, possible parking issues, etc.
Security will be provided for locations requesting armed police or unarmed, uniformed guards.
Manager checklists will be provided to support managers to set expectations and help them be prepared to complete all required actions.
Documents will be posted on TGP to let managers know when to expect delivery of launch support materials.
Job descriptions for key launch day functions will be provided for: Back Office Manager, Crowd Manager, Greeter, Product Demonstrator, and Security Support.

***Confidential Rogers Information. For Internal Distribution Only.***

Our friends to the north now have two choices when it comes to making their iPhone 3G purchase and extending their contracts for the latest and greatest in Cupertino tech.  Unlike the United States where At&t’s exclusive iPhone contract has ruined the possibility of GSM competition, Canada’s iPhone war will begin on July 11th as both Fido and Rogers have made announcements that they will offer iPhone 3G.

Fido subscribers looking to pickup the 8GB iPhone 3G will be able to do so for $199 on the required 3 year contract and $299 for the 16GB.  Rogers also announced the exact same pricing options which brings us to an important question: which carrier will you choose for your iPhone 3G in Canada?  Network coverage will surely be the single most important factor, but what about the possibility of more competitive data pricing?  While it is unlikely that we will see any variation in the iPhone data plan costs with either Fido or Rogers, we can’t help but throw out the idea since there really doesn’t seem to be an advantage between either carrier.

If you plan on picking up the iPhone 3G on either Rogers or Fido, drop us a comment and let us know which carrier you will be choosing and why.

 

We have all heard the complaints about HTC and their Windows Mobile devices that lack sufficient RAM (Program Memory), but today we can add the HTC S730 (Vox Update) to that list.  Unfortunately even after a fresh reboot, the S730 only has 17MB of available Program Memory left.  The HTC Mogul also suffers from a similar lack of memory (23 MB) which can severely limit the ability to multi-task. HTC is aware of this issue, but has yet to release an update either by means of a CAB file or ROM Update.  While we patiently await a fix, we can continue waiting for Graphics drivers to hit the AT&T Tilt (TYTN II).

Hop on over to the Windows Mobile Owners Circle for a solid support group and updates

Fido Canada launched the Nokia 6555 today to add to their lineup.  The Nokia 6555 is your standard cellphone with 1.3 MP camera, video recording, 6X digital zoom and 3G UMTS data capabilities.  The device also supports a XHTML browser for surfing the Internet, 30MB of internal memory and accepts up to 2GB MicroSD cards.  As usual with Nokia you will have a QVGA display with 16 million colors to enhance your mobile experience.  The Nokia 6555 is available exclusively at Fido retail locations, retail partners and online at Fido.ca for $75, including a 1G Memory Card, with a three-year Fido Agreement.