Holt Renfrew denies iPhone rumour
- October 5, 2007 1:09 PM |
- By Paul Jay
by Paul Jay, CBCNews.ca
The latest iPhone-coming-to-Canada rumour comes from an unlikely source: According to digitaljournal.com, an "insider" from Holt Renfrew said the luxury retailer would begin carrying a Canadian version of the iPhone later in October for $799.
This seems strange, particularly since the telecommunications company expected to act as a carrier for the iPhone - Rogers - had made no formal announcement, nor had Apple Inc.
It also appears to be untrue, according to Holt Renfrew spokesperson Janet Eger.
"I can confirm that the rumours were unfounded and Holt Renfrew will not be carrying the iPhone," Eger told CBCNews.ca.
Which doesn't mean the iPhone is never coming to Canada, just not from Holt, and if you believe Rogers, not anytime soon.
Perhaps the tip-off was the rushed timeline. In September Apple spent a great deal of time publicizing iPhone launches in the UK, Germany and France, and those phones won't go on sale until November, so it seemed a stretch to think a company known for mastering the "big build-up" marketing campaign would be launching a quick-and-stealthy cross-border rollout.
That the rumour took off isn't surprising. Earlier this week Solutions Research Group posted a survey of the top tech gadgets Canadians wanted for Christmas. And coming in at number eight - just after the Nintendo Wii - was the iPhone.
Not bad for a product that isn't here yet.
About the Authors
- Tara Kimura
is a multimedia producer for CBCNews.ca.
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Comments (7)
The quoted price would be double what people pay in the United States for the same product. As is, we pay much much more for cellular services (a many times over for data) than the Americans however $799 seems well beyond even that. Of course, given that Rogers and Fido are the same company and control the entire GSM cellular market (which the iPhone needs in order to operate, they can choose to charge whatever they like without fear of competition.
Whoa, $799 is WAY too much!
Especially since where I'm sitting at right now, our dollar is worth a little more than America's. :P
$799? it would make sence if it would be the same price as in the states especially when our Loony is over the strong green.
When it will come, people will complain about the price, but
It's going to be madness and people won't mind buying it even for twice more.
This is the sames as cars and books. Retailers assume that because Canadians have spent the last 30 years paying inflated prices due to a weak loonie that we will continue to do so despite the fact the doller is now stronger that the green-back. This is a whole new form of price fixing that the government needs to address, otherwise Canadians will look to spend thier money in other nations for the same products.
Market dictates prices, not exchange rates. Nobody complained 6 years ago when cars were cheaper here, and our dollar was at like 60 cents US.
Compare the costs of the iPod Touch on apple.com apple.com/uk apple.ca.
US: $399
UK: £269
CA: $449
The iPhone retails for $399 in the US, and £269 in the UK. Based on those numbers, $449 (or thereabouts) would be the expected price.
Of course carrier subsidies will play a big role, but they're not going to bump the price to 799...
Actually, although the concept of Holt Renfrew carrying the iPhone was somewhat ridiculous, the idea of a $799 price would not have been unreasonable if Apple were to actually sell the iPhone *unlocked* since unlocked cell phones have traditionally carried a higher price due to the lack of any carrier subsidies (although AT&T doesn't subsidize the iPhone directly, they do pay Apple a percentage of the iPhone service plans, which is an indirect subsidy).
Of course, in light of the rumour that Apple isn't even talking to French telecom providers due to the laws requiring an unlocked version be available, it's unlikely that they'd actually consider such an approach.