iPhone: Cool yes, in Canada no
- January 9, 2007 2:06 PM |
- By Tod Maffin
by Todd Maffin
It was one of the most anticipated product announcements in Apple's history. And now, the computer company that makes the iPod and Mac computers has added a new product that has the gadget industry buzzing. It's only a centimeter thick. And to look at it, it doesn't seem like much. A flat screen, a bit taller than a deck of cards, and just one Power button on the front.
But don't let Apple's new iPhone fool you. Judging from how quickly the stock market pushed Apple's stock up within minutes of its announcement this morning, the iPhone could become a big player in the technology sector.
The phone is operated using a touchscreen, meaning virtual buttons appear depending on what you're doing. The phone does more than make calls. It's also an iPod that can play up to 8 gigs of music or show photos. And it's an internet communicator that can browse full websites, rather than scaled-down versions most mobile phones access today. And, clearly aiming at the popular BlackBerry phone, the iPhone allows e-mail based on Push technology.
The phone itself is the product of 200 patents. That includes sensors to tell when you've held it up to your ear, so that the screen dims to save the battery. It can tell whether you're holding it lengthwise or height-wise, and automatically switch between landscape and portrait views for websites and photos.
But don't expect it to show up on Canadian store shelves soon. It won't be available in the U.S. until June. And in Europe until a year from now.
About the Authors
- Tara Kimura
is a multimedia producer for CBCNews.ca.
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Comments (18)
Generally, when Apple announces a product for the US, it is also available in Canada either at the same time, or withing a few weeks. AT&T and Cingular have also merged, furthering the likliness that the iPhone will be available at launch in June. The point is, it is not fair to make such a statement that we shouldn't expect it anytime soon, because the public does not know the exact details yet. So, instead of spreading rumors, stick to reporting the news, and don't try to predict the future.
REPLY: Thanks for your feedback. I'm afraid contrary to your belief, Apple's products are rarely released simultaneously in the U.S. and Canada. I've been covering this beat for six years and been working full-time in the technology industry since 1992 and I can't recall a single instance where there's been anything close to simultaneous release. This delayed release is very much the norm among cell-phone and other consumer electronics.
There are several reasons for this - deals still have to be worked out with a Canadian carrier (likely to be Rogers), the packaging must be made bilingual, sometimes different marketing campaigns need to be developed for the different buying patterns and so on.
Indeed, this blog (http://www.johnwiseman.ca/blogging/technology/apples-new-iphone-availability-in-canada/) confirms that a release date is estimated around Q4 2007 and that "the average wait time is 6-8 months minimum once they become available in the US" (my experience is that the delay is a bit shorter, but it's certainly measured in months, not weeks).
Hope that helps clarify the facts.
What a bad title. It sounds like you're saying the iPhone is cool, but its not cool in Canada. Make it clearer, and more related to the article.
"It won't be available in the U.S. until June. And in Europe until a year from now."
Is that your proof that it won't be available here? I'll bet an iPhone that it will be here before Europe...
I wonder how long it will take Microsoft to come out with a copy-cat cellphone, only with radio (but not satelite radio), free-format files, and much, much, much uglier.
Zune-Phone 2014... watch for it.
All I can say is that anyone doubting the reality of this product, more so the technology that will change the way people think of a multi-functional all-in-one gizmo... watch the keynote from the San Francisco convention. You'll be amazed by something wonderful.
Something simple to use. The K-I-S-S technique (keep it simple stupid). Apple has run the same path since 1984.
Looking forward to seeing this in Canada when it is made available. We'll have to be patient. This is truly revolutionary product... just like the Macintosh was when it came out... just like the iPod is today!
Wow says it all.
The iPhone sounds great, but I wonder how easy it will be to compose email on a touch screen and still be able to read what you've written. I have to think the virtual keyboard would have to be large to work with most peoples fingers.
Guess I'll find out soon.
"I'm afraid contrary to your belief, Apple's products are rarely released simultaneously in the U.S. and Canada. I've been covering this beat for six years and been working full-time in the technology industry since 1992 and I can't recall a single instance where there's been anything close to simultaneous release."
You need to pay more attention then.
Right now I'm using a 24-inch iMac that was made available on the Canadian website for Apple on the same day it was in the US. While I ordered mine via a local reseller I received it at the same time as people in the States were receiving it.
An even more recent example. The also announced Apple TV device. Its appearance on the Canadian website matched the US site again, and both sites says shipping in February.
The new Airport Extreme Base Station, also released this week. Available in Canada as well as US. Same day.
Now apart from shipping delays caused by customs, I haven't seen any recent Apple product that wasn't available here at approximately the same time as in the US, and the items were certainly on both websites.
The iPhone seems to be an exception, not a rule. Even then I expect an arrangement with Rogers will happen in the 6 months before the phone is released in the US and we may end up having it available here at basically the same time.
I have to agree with the original author on new technologies from Apple being made available slowly in Canada. Computers and iPods get released at the same time, but anything involvling licensing or the like we end up waiting and waiting. Apple Canada has long been due for an iSync with the mothership. There are no Apple retail stores outside of the Toronto area, not even in Montreal or Vancouver. The iTunes store, Canada, does not sell television shows or movies for the year old video-capable iPod. When I buy things from the online Apple Canada store, the product is still shipped up from California. Almost every computer gadget in my house now sports the Apple logo (just need the new Airport to replace my router), but I am fed up with Apple Canada.
I guess most corporations really do only care primarily about market size.(which can directly relate to increase in profits)
Canada's population isn't nearly as enourmous as the US but the buying power of Canadians has been proven many times to be right up there with the 'big boys'. It would be nice for an organization to see the benifits of
creating a niche market that benifits consumers once in awile rather than just sustaining profit. (give the people what the people want and are willing to pay for)
Ths iPhone is something really amazing. I don´t know how nobody did that before: with so many phones, gadgets, remote controls with loads of buttons and functions, how come nobody before made just a simple screen with it all popping up into it?? Apple realized it, they´re a step ahead. People use to carry a cellphones, PDAs and iPods, now they are only one.
The product is really revolutionary and a landmark for an incredible future. It´s very strange that Canada will take so long to have it and it neighbours the U.S. at the same time.
Hopefully the next big thing to come out will be a PDA or phone or something that will allow people to spell-check their comments before posting.
Has anyone considered that there may be a lawsuit between Cisco and Apple, or has the "little" matter of the Cisco copyrighted trade name iPhone been settled?
I don't believe the iPhone will be much of a hit. At $599 and $699 CDN it will just be too pricey for the phone's market (prosumers). The iPhone also won't be accepted by corporations as it is not very secure and is too media oriented. I'll stick with my Blackberry Pearl for $249, thank-you very much...and guess what it even plays music!
Man, am I glad I got suckered in to a 3 year contract with Rogers. When the iPhone eventually appears in Canada, I can simply upgrade my Sony Walkman phone. I believe Rogers is the only wireless carrier that supports GSM. So, they're in a advantageous position, in terms of the rest of the market. The phone looks great, it's got great features and I can't wait to pick one up. Sweet.
I'd say that as soon as Rogers gets word for an iphone connection, it will be a similar release date in Canada, if not exactly the same date. Remember, Rogers and AT+T used to to be corporate partners up until 1994.
I don't know how many of you actually do research but Rogers hasn't approved the iPhone for use on their network. The only way it is going to work as of now is if someone orders it unlocked and uses Rogers' network that way. It doesn't matter that Rogers and AT&T were "partners" because they aren't anymore. The iPhone will not be in Canada on any of the GSM networks at the same time as the US networks because it takes way to long to research the amount of people willing to spend money on such a product. And thats the whole point, who is actually going to spend that much money for something that will be replaced by a better one in approximately 1.5-2 years? Microcell (Fido) and Rogers are the only GSM networks in Canada and frankly I can't see either of them spending the millions of dollars investing in a phone that probably won't even be sold enough to make any kind of a profit. The only way to get it at the same time as the states will be to order it unlocked and thats a risky move considering you would have to mail it back if there were any manufacturer issues because it won't be carried in Canada for a while yet.
I can't see there being a long delay between Apple US and Apple Canada. Not now, given the rapid turnover of Apple's product line, and the likely proliferation of worthy competitors. I wonder how soon it will be before Apple announces their iPhone ][, iPhone ][+ and iPhone //e.
yes, Rogers is sorely lacking in its ability to give it's clients what they want. Were it not for that lame Rogersdirect video renting that expected consumers to pick and post movies through Can.Post and the useless RogersPhoto ideas, then maybe they could been on the ball with the greatest cell phone of all time. All they have to say about is, "Yes, we are the only GSM network in Canada."