Gadgetsteria » canada

#CES2011 — Slacker Unveils Free, Basic Service In Canada.

Mike Norris — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:06:16 +0000

Popular music streaming service, Slacker Radio, announced a free, basic service tier for Canadian users. From here on out, Canadian users don’t have to worry about 30-day trials any longer, as they can enjoy Slacker Radio 24/7. If you’re really into music however, the Slacker Radio “Plus” tier costs only $3.99/month and offers such things as unlimited song skipping, complete removal of ads, and song caching for mobile devices.

HSPA+ Netgear Turbo Hub Coming to Rogers. #rogers

Mike Norris — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:47:48 +0000

Canadian cellular carrier Rogers, took time Tuesday to unveil their new HSPA+ router, which will allow up to 15 connected users to enjoy Rogers’ faster data network to the tune of 7.2Mbps-21Mbps. To achieve the latter, customers will have to pay an extra $10CAD ($9.80) per month in order to make use of those higher speeds. Furthermore, Rogers customers will be required to subscribe to a data plan that totals at least $35CAD ($34.30) per months. With that said, the most affordable $35CAD plan offers up a paltry 3GB per month. Clearly, if you want to use this router for anything other than very basic web browsing, you’ll need to set aside a fair amount of change.

As for the hardware, interested users will be able to pick up the new router for $150CAD ($147) when purchased with a two-year contract or $300CAD ($294) sans contract.

Via: Electronista

Rogers Implores Users on “Pay for Priority Data”. #rogers

Mike Norris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:49:47 +0000

Canadian GSM carrier Rogers, revealed a plan today to charge customers based an added fee for priority access. The way the plan works is simple. In times of overloaded network capacity, users who pay an added fee could have their data packets given priority over other, non-paying users. While no actual fees have been stated, $10 has been heard mentioned a few times in passing.

Now, we don’t even have to begin to go into how wrong this is. From a business standpoint, it’s great. You can charge people $10 extra for a service you’ll rarely ever have to offer them. With that said, the plan is unsurprisingly receiving criticism because of how it will “reward the rich and punish the poor”. We all understand cellular capacity and bandwidth are being strained. But there has to be a better way. What do you think? Would you pay extra for priority access? Finally, is it even right/ethical/legal?

For now, we don’t have to worry too much. Rogers has no plans of rolling out the feature — they’re merely gauging public interest. At the same time, none of the other competing Canadien cellular providers have vocalized interest in such a plan.

Via: Electronista

42Mbps HSPA+ Data Card Coming to Bell Mobility November 23rd. #bellmobility

Mike Norris — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:26:40 +0000

Bell Mobility customers will soon have a new reason to speed — down the interwebs that is. Starting November 23rd, interested users will be able to pick up the Novatel Wireless U547 which will not only support the carriers super speedy 21Mbps speeds, but the even faster 42Mbps network as well. The small caveat is that Bell Mobility will be charging 42Mbps users an extra $10/month to enjoy the extra speed. Though thankfully, it isn’t mandatory that you pay the extra $10 for the Novatel Wireless U547 either. It will still run at the slightly slower 21Mbps tier just fine.

November 23rd. Bell Mobility. $199.95. Any takers?

Via: BGR

BlackBerry App World Storefront now live!

Mike Norris — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:20:24 +0000

The soft launch of RIM’s BlackBerry App World Storefront may have been nothing but a teaseearlier in the week, but now it’s as official as official can be. The online purchasing, review read/write process, and management of BlackBerry apps can now be done via your browser, with the resulting info automatically sent to your phone.

BlackBerries have come quite a ways since the pager-style days. But some things are still easier and faster on a desktop computer — in this case, browsing/reviewing apps.

To get in on the action, download the App World Installer and install it on the PC you wish to use. And just in case you were wondering, you can now pay by Carrier billing, Credit Card, or PayPal. Hoozah!

Source: BerryReview

Back from the dead: BlackBerry Storm 3 spotted in Verizon system.

Mike Norris — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:24:46 +0000

Looks like the rumored axing of the BlackBerry Storm 3 was off. Above you you’ll notice a very clear, “Storm 3″ listed in Verizon’s in-store system. Excitement is wanning however, with specs that were old news last month.

Still, something is better than nothing, right? Though with all the talent cropping up, is the Storm 3 even that relevant anymore?

Source: PhoneArena
Via: BGR

Videotron intros 120Mbps internet to lucky Quebec residents.

Mike Norris — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:55:50 +0000

While Google’s private 1Gbps network may be the talk of the town when it comes to raw internet speeds, expansions of said speed isn’t likely to happen for years if not decades. Something a little more immediate is needed. Here in the States our broadband portfolio is pretty disappointing, with only a few options north of 50Mbps.

The lucky residents of Quebec can toot a different song on their horn, however, as the province’s Videotron has taken the wraps off of their new 120Mbps down/20Mbps up package. The only sticking point that seems kind of sour given the C$160 (C$150 if bundled with phone or TV service) monthly price is the data caps — 170GB down/30GB up. Granted, I can put a hurtin’ on a ISP’s pipes, 170GB is way more than I use in most situations. Going the other way however, 30GB isn’t exactly the roomiest of options.

You win some and you lose some I guess. Fast speeds bring fast caps. So be it. I’d be happy with something other than my lethargic 6Mbps AT&T service at my house, let alone 120Mbps speeds with 170GB caps. I’d do it.

Source:
Engadget

OS 6 seen on 9650. Lethargic, yes.

Mike Norris — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:57:02 +0000

Bittwesweet news for BlackBerry 9650 this morning — OS 6 has been spotted on your beloved VZW Bolds just as RIM had promised it would. However, there are a few caveats to deal with. First and foremost, just because RIM said it could happen, doesn’t mean it will. Verizon has the latest and greatest in testing. This we can see. But it is completely up to Big Red to actually go one step further push the update to end users. Of course, VZW has opened up quite a bit over the last couple of years. As such, there’s no real indication they’re going to keep slightly older hardware out of the loop.

Second, and perhaps more worrisome is that the official OS 6 toting 9650 in the possession of BBLeaks is showing some fairly high amounts of lag, even with 512MB of RAM. Again, worrisome news for 9650 owners, but even worse news for 9700 and Pearl 3G owners of whom both are also suspected to get OS 6 as well — and with half the memory to boot. With half the memory of the already laggy 9650, OS 6 on the 9700 and Pearl 3G doesn’t seem as great as it once did.

Hopefully RIM can tweak the OS more to run on these few supported classics. Of the 9650, 9700, and Pearl 3G, who’s planning on upgrading the OS and who’s jumping all the way in by getting the 9800 Torch?

Source:
BBLeaks

OS 6 for BlackBerry Torch leaked!

Mike Norris — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:12:08 +0000

Have an itch to get your hands on the latest and greatest BlackBerry OS?! Never mind the simple fact that the Torch is the only BlackBerry that has a working version of OS 6 and the fact that it’s not even for sale yet. Small beans they are. For the true CrackBerry user, merely having the 1′s and 0′s that make up the best effort from RIM yet is enough to send chills down your spin.

Fair enough. Go and get it: BlackBerry Torch OS 6 download.

Source:
CrackBerry

Update: (It was all talk) RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis has some choice words regarding recent BlackBerry bans.

Mike Norris — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:06:40 +0000

If you thought RIM was going to cave to foreign countries’ demands to weaken the security of the BlackBerry platform, you were sorely mistaken. RIM’s response is actually quite refreshing (and comical) in an age where big business and government politics are trumping individual freedoms and privacy left and right.

Specifically, when questioned about the recent BlackBerry bans spreading around the Middle East, Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s co-CEO had a few choice sentences:

This is about the Internet,” Mr. Lazaridis said. “Everything on the Internet is encrypted. This is not a BlackBerry-only issue. If they can’t deal with the Internet, they should shut it off.

We have dealt with this before,” Mr. Lazaridis said. “This will get resolved. And it will get resolved if there is a chance for rational discussion.

Although Mr. Lazaridis said RIM wouldn’t compromise the security of its products, he acknowledged the company would have to cooperate with authorities if handed a court order to do a lawful intercept of a person’s communications. “I would give them the encrypted stream,” he said. “It would have to be like a wiretap.”

We are going to continue to work with them to make sure they understand the reality of the Internet,” he said. “A lot of these people don’t have Ph.Ds, and they don’t have a degree in computer science.”

Clearly, RIM isn’t bending over. ‘Tis a proud day to be a BlackBerry user. RIM’s got your back.

Update

Yeah, about that proud, warm feeling over RIM’s hard stance — it was all talk. Local servers are being placed in Saudi Arabia as we speak. So much for consumers’ best interests and privacy.

Source:
BerryReview
BBRocks
WSJ

The unloved younger sibling of the BlackBerry Torch: Curve 9300 goes up for sale on Rogers, unnannounced and unwelcomed.

Mike Norris — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:58:47 +0000

With all of the hoopala surrounding the impending release of RIM’s greatest BlackBerry yet, the Torch, it’s easy to understand why some lesser handsets from the Waterloo-based manufacturer might go unnoticed. For one thing, we tend to gravitate towards the biggest fish in the pond — in this case the Torch. But truth be told, there’s plenty of other fish to be had.

That’s where the BlackBerry 9300 slips in. The 9330 highlights a perfect example of RIM simply forgetting about the low end market and instead focusing solely on the Torch — the 9300 Curve hasn’t been officially acknowledged or announced, yet it’s already up for sale on Rogers’ website for a mere $79.

The 9300 is essentially the Curve reborn…again x2. Besides some minor cosmetic changes, it’s the exact same phone save for two fairly big upgrades: a new trackpad replaces the old trackball and 3G. Yes. The 9300 will be the first GSM Curve to receive the 3G treatment. It’s been a long time coming (frankly, too long). But even those who need a no-nonsense, low end BlackBerry for basic email can now do so with faster 3G data and move past the maintenance troubles (read: dust nightmares) that plagued the trackball of Curve’s past.

With BlackBerries such as the 9700, Torch, and Storm, are these low end Berries worth the price anymore?

PhoneScoop > BGR

BlackBerry Torch is official!

Mike Norris — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:16:26 +0000

As we all knew, the BlackBerry Torch arrived today, officially revealed at RIM’s quaint little keynote. But that’s not all. BlackBerry OS 6 was just as big for RIM. But before we get to the new OS, let’s recap the new hardware — BlackBerry OS 6, 624MHz processor (that’s it?), 3.2 inch 480 x 360 screen, 512 MB RAM, 512 MB Flash (+ 4 GB Flash + 4GB micro-SD card), Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi b/g/n, 5 megapixel camera, and 1300 mAh battery.

The hardware is certainly a nice breath of relatively fresh air. Can the new software deliver? Stay tuned…

BlackBerry App World 2.0 beta now live in Beta Zone.

Mike Norris — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:45:04 +0000

CrackBerry enthusiasts, a new, fresh toy is ready to be played with today. BlackBerry App World 2.0 beta is now live in the Beat Zone. For those who either forgot or where never informed to begin with, BlackBerry App World 2.0 brings plenty to the table.

Categories: Top 25 Themes & Apps

BlackBerry App World Barcode Scanning

More Billing Options

Introducing BlackBerry® ID

For a platform that is trying like mad to break free of the typical corporate suit, the advancements on the consumer front are definitely more than welcome. The barcode scanning feature in particular is very handy for when you’re out and about or on the computer as both places are hosting an increasingly growing number of 2D, scan-able barcodes.

If you haven’t signed up yet in the BlackBerry Beta Zone, perhaps now is a time to seriously re-think that decision. Getting stuff early is always fun…

BlackBerry Blog

BlackBerry 9670 fat clamshell hogs the spotlight. Ten minutes of OS 6, clamshell lovin’ fun.

Mike Norris — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:37:36 +0000

That love-it-or-hate-it 9760 *fat* clamshell Berry that’s been seen in leaked photos here and there took a big step today. Highlighting OS 6 on non-touchscreen devices, the 9670 clamshell spent a solid ten minutes in front of the video camera giving us not only a fair amount of info on OS 6, but on that 9670 hardware as well.

The verdict is still up in the air for me. I’m a sucker for “out there” styles. But this extra wide load clamshell is definitely pushing the envelope for what I’d consider “stylish”. Feel free to disagree after giving the two videos inside 1/6 of an hour of your attention…

Video 1

Video 2

CrackBerry

BlackBerry 9800 and 6.0 get thorough 16-minute walk through. Eat your hearts out.

Mike Norris — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:38:30 +0000

Have a question about the upcoming BlackBerry 9800 Slider? What about OS 6.0? Well then, put on your seat belts and drop on in ’cause there’s a 16-minute walkthrough of both right inside. And it’s jam packed I might add. Besides a plethora of great pics of the 9800 itself, the walkthrough is actually really, really deep. Even better, we know who the first carrier might be. (Spoiler: there’s a T-Mo SIM card in the video walkthrough unit.) Ok, so it’s in Chinese. Beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, it’s all pretty self-explanatory. Get in there…

Video

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