Samsung has quietly confirmed that its Galaxy Note handset will arrive in Canada sometime in the middle of February. The company's Canadian website includes a sign-up page for launch notifications, with a reference to mid-February availability, however exact plans for specific carriers remain unclear.
Canada may get as many as four new Apple stores in 2012, but if reports from Nova Scotia are true, however, one store may go against Apple's trend of placing stores in the highest population centers and will instead land in Halifax, the provincial capital but home to only 400,000 people. The rumor, which has circulated in various forms for years, is recently supported by unusual renovations and unusual secrecy from the main mall in town, iPhoneinCanada claims.
Canadian cellular carrier Rogers and its subsidiary, Fido, are reportedly preparing to launch Samsung's Galaxy Nexus handset next week. The company has yet to formally announce its launch plans, however a leaked screenshot posted on Mobile Syrup suggests the device is slated to arrive on Tuesday.
Plans are in motion to build a new Apple Store in the Canadian city of London, Ontario, a report notes. City records detailing a $3 million construction project at the Masonville Place mall include an Apple logo. ifoAppleStore real estate sources meanwhile specifically say that Apple will move into an upper-level space, one being vacated by Eddie Bauer this week because of an earlier bankruptcy filing.
Apple is engaging in a rare Boxing Week sale on the iTunes Store. Boxing Day takes place on December 26th in Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. The Boxing Week promotion is already active, however, if only in Canada.
Canadian wireless carrier Globalive, which is better known by its subsidiary brand Wind Mobile, is reportedly in talks to acquire competing carrier Mobilicity. An unnamed person familiar with the negotiations told Bloomberg that Globalive is attempting to build its presence in the Canadian market to compete with dominant carriers Bell, Rogers and Telus.
Following a botched rollout on Wednesday, Apple has today officially expanded iTunes Match to Canada and the UK. In Canada the service costs $28 a year, while in the UK annual pricing is set at £22. Unlike regular iCloud options, iTunes Match allows a person to mirror and remotely access their entire music library, regardless of whether the content is on iTunes.
Apple appears to be quietly rolling out iTunes Match to a number of countries this evening, judging from reports of users who now see the option to sign up available under their iTunes account information pages. Pricing for the service has been revealed to be $28 in Canada, £22 (approximately $34) in Great Britain, and €25 (approximately $32.50) in Europe and equivalently-priced elsewhere.
Although Toshiba has yet to announce US launch plans for its Excite tablet, the company has confirmed that it will be arriving in Canada early in 2012. The 10.1 inch tablet, which was first officially unveiled earlier this year at the IFA expo, will serve as the successor to the company's Thrive tablet, bringing a wide range of improvements.
Starting slightly earlier this year than normal, Apple has released its 12 Days of Christmas companion app for its upcoming promotion in the UK and other parts of Europe, along with Canada. The promotional period, which runs from December 26th to the 6th of January, offers a free "gift" from the iTunes Store every 24 hours -- usually a song, app, movie rental or e-book.
Global iPlayer will make it to the iPhone and iPod touch on December 8th, the BBC has announced. The paid video-on-demand service has been available on the iPad for about five months. A list of countries getting the iPhone app on the 8th includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The BBC has expanded its Global iPlayer service for the iPad to Canada, says The Hollywood Reporter. Users can access BBC TV shows on demand, something normally reserved for UK license fee payers, who can tap various forms of iPlayer for free. In Canada iPlayer access costs $9 a month, or $85 a year. Content is based on local demand and rights, but some initial shows include Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Whitechapel, Hustle and MI-5.
Apple is currently offering free shipping at its online store, at least in some countries, checks show. At the US storefront, shoppers are now promised "free shipping on everything" until December 22nd. The promotion is scaled back in places like Canada and the UK, where free shipping applies today only. At the Australian store, shoppers are only being given free gift wrapping for iPods and iPads until December 25th.
Apple is planning to open another Vancouver, Canada outlet by the end of 2012, sources identified as "real estate insiders" claim. The company is expected to move into 750 Burrard Street, currently home to an HMV megastore scheduled to close down in January. Once HMV is gone Apple's plans reportedly involve renovating 16,000 square feet spread across two floors.
Canadian bank TD Canada Trust will be offering its credit card customers an unusual TD Rewards special on Black Friday: a chance to buy a brand-new 16GB (Wi-Fi) iPad 2 for $299, a savings of $220 from the normal Canadian retail price of $519. The iPad is one of two "red hot deals," signalling a drawing requirement to "win" the opportunity to buy one at that price.
As anticipated, Apple has released a major update to the official Apple Store app for iOS. The key change is the addition of EasyPay, which lets shoppers scan an item at an Apple Store and perform a self-checkout. The function has several limits though; it is for instance currently US-only, and applies just to "select accessories." Users must also have an iPhone 4 or 4S, despite the presence of cameras on the iPad 2 and iPod touch.
Many US Apple Stores still have some iPhone 4S units in stock, despite sizable interest so far, anecdotal evidence and investigation by MacNN suggests. One explanation may stem from rumors that Apple decided to ramp up production further ahead of launch than usual, granting more breathing space. Work on iOS 5 may ultimately been responsible for the delay; the firmware has over 200 changes, including iCloud and the 4S-only Siri voice system.
The iTunes in the Cloud service is now available in several more regions around the world, users say. Canada, France, Australia and the UK are among the main territories, but other countries are said to be getting the option as well. When available the option lets people re-download music, apps and books from iTunes, or else have the content automatically pushed to multiple devices.
Longtime Mac and technology reporter Jim Dalrymple says he has confirmed with Apple that Canadians will be able to use at least the U.S.-localized version of Siri voice technology found on the iPhone 4S when the model arrives there, which is scheduled to take place simultaneously with the U.S. launch.
Samsung's Galaxy S II smartphone has surfaced with a white housing and Bell branding, suggesting the color option will be available in markets beyond Europe. Leaked pictures, which were posted by Mobilesyrup, show a white color scheme and chrome edging, matching images for a similar offering announced earlier this month by Vodafone.
Apple has revealed five additional store openings taking place this weekend. Outlets in Shanghai and Hong Kong were announced earlier this week, but the company has only just, for instance, confirmed that it will indeed launch the Metrotown location this week. The shop is based in Burnaby, British Columbia within the greater Vancouver area, and will start taking in the public at 10AM Saturday morning.
One or more thieves broke into the Renaissance at Colony Park Apple Store in Ridgeland, Mississippi on Monday morning, reports say. The incident occurred sometime around 4:30AM, and resulted in at least 20 computers being stolen. Local police say that a car was spotted traveling at high speed on the roundabout on Highland Colony Parkway and Old Agency Road at 4AM, which prompted them to patrol nearby businesses. The theft was called in to station roughly 20 to 30 minutes later.
Apple ranks 34th in the US in terms of retail revenue, according to a Chain Store Age Magazine survey. During 2010 Apple managed $9.82 billion through its retail stream, allowing it to leapfrog out of 57th place. A separate analysis by RetailSails recently placed Apple first in the US in terms of sales per square foot.
Research in Motion has filed an opposition motion in Canada, attempting to block an Apple trademark application for the term "WebKit," notes Patently Apple. In the short term the move will give RIM some extra time to prepare a case, the deadline being November 22nd. Apple first filed for the application in May 2010.
Canadian carriers Bell and Virgin Mobile have joined Telus in lowering the price of the iPhone 4. In both cases a 16GB model is just $100, although with Bell this requires a three-year contract, and on Virgin either the contract or coverage under a SuperTab. 32GB models remain as expensive as before, costing $270.
(Updated with info on new Utah store) Apple will throw open the doors to its first Alaskan store on Saturday at 10AM local time. The outlet is based in the 5th Avenue Mall in Anchorage, and will operate from 10AM to 8PM on Saturdays, and 11AM to 6PM on Sundays. Regular weekday hours are scheduled to last from 10AM to 9PM.
iPad 2 shipping times at Apple's US online store have finally dropped to about 24 hours, checks show. The same timing applies to the Canadian store, which frequently follows suit in delivery times if not prices. Shipping delays remain longer in other regions, such as in the UK, where the wait is still between one and three days.
Bell Canada is currently facing a $10 million fine to settle an investigation into the company's advertising practices. Canada's Competition Bureau accused the telecommunications provider of using misleading advertising for its range of products, which includes landline phone service, Internet, satellite television and cellular.
NetSecure is preparing to launch a mobile payment system for businesses in Canada. The service, known as Kudos Payments, allows users to process credit-card transactions directly from a smartphone. The offering essentially provides Canadians with payment capabilities similar to that of Square, which is limited to the United States market.
Apple has set its sights on another two retail stores, this time in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Burnaby in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Charlotte store will be the city's second, and open on the second floor of the Northlake Mall. Building permits have been issued and job listings are now being posted, effectively confirming plans. Charlotte is, notably, just 30 miles away from Apple's massive North Carolina datacenter, which was built to support iCloud.
Canadian Best Buy outlets will indeed be selling the iPad 2 on March 25th, one store worker states, quoting a manager. "We will be selling them at 10am friday when we open," the former says. "It's first come first serve and there WILL be a line up. If we are doing the same thing as last year we will be handing out a piece of paper which you will fill out telling us which ipad you want, size, color ect.."
Canadian carriers Bell and Telus will announce iPad 2 data plans within "coming weeks," according to e-mails sent out by the two firms. The iPad 2 will officially come to Canada on March 25th, leaving relatively little time for the carriers to cement details. Rogers last week confirmed intentions to carry over existing iPad plans.
The first-generation iPad appears to be on the way out in Canada and the United Kingdom, reports say. In Canada, major retail chain Future Shop is said to be low or completely out of stock for some models at some outlets. UK retailer Carphone Warehouse is now claimed by 9to5 to be out of the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad, as well as all 3G tablets.
Apple Canada's online store is now offering a "special limited time" price on refurbished iPads. Only 16, 32 and 64GB Wi-Fi models are available, at prices of $479, $549 and $649, respectively. The deal is however substantially cheaper than buying new, which would normally cost between $549 and $749 despite parity between the US and Canadian dollars.
A bevy of new Apple Stores are in the works for 2011, a report says. At least several of these are forecast to open in Italy by the middle of the year, including one in Bologna, a previously unexpected outlet in Florence, and a second Milan location. Possible addresses for the Milan and Florence stores remain unknown.
Citizens of Canada reportedly spend more time browsing the Internet than any other country, according to data released by the research firm comScore. Over two thirds of Canadians frequently take advantage of their Internet connections, averaging 42 hours each month. France and Britain share the second spot with 62 percent, while 60 percent of Germans report similar habits.
HP has confirmed that the Palm Pre 2 handset is set to launch in Canada through Rogers. Several early leaks suggested the webOS 2.0 device would eventually arrive at the carrier, although the companies declined to provide a specific release date.
The Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages has granted formal approval to the Canadian iBookstore, opening the door to a flood of new content from Canadian publishers and authors. While the iBookstore has already been operating and offering some -- mostly US-based -- paid titles along with the usual assortment of free public-domain and PDF texts, the approval is expected to boost both the offerings available to Canadian iOS device owners as well as help promote Canadian works in other countries.
A hiring notice on Apple's job page in Canada has unintentionally revealed plans for a future store in Quebec City, the provincial capital of Quebec. This would be the first Apple retail store in the 400-year old historic city.
The opening of Calgary, Alberta's second Apple Store Wednesday at Chinook Centre managed to overshadow the debut of the mall's $277 million expansion in which the store was located, with more than 200 fans lined up five hours ahead of the 8am opening and most telling local media they were there just for Apple.
Apple Stores located in Canada will be open early, at 7am, to accommodate the surge in sales for the local iPhone 4 launch. The 16GB device will be sold unlocked for $659 CAD (~$639 USD), while the 32GB unlocked variant commands $779 CAD (~$755 USD). Subsidized prices are expected to match US pricing for both capacities.
Chatr Wireless has announced its foray into the Canadian market with unlimited talk or text service and no term contracts. The provider is offering zone-based plans in major cities, a similar strategy to that of Canadian carrier Wind Mobile.
Apple has confirmed plans to release the iPhone 4 in 17 more regions on Friday. In North America, Canada will finally get the device; the bulk of additional launches are in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Elsewhere, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore will begin sales.
Apple has reportedly bought Poly9, a company from the mostly French-speaking Canadian province of Québec. According to Le Soleil, the majority of Poly9's workers have already been moved out to California, and its offices have been closed for several weeks. Apple has also allegedly asked the Poly9 staff not to discuss the buyout publicly.
Auction site eBay has broadened the international support of its apps for iOS and Android devices. In the former category, eBay Selling is now available in the German and UK App Stores. The app is said to be intended for "casual" sellers, and so doesn't support all eBay.com options; it does, however, let people quickly snap a picture for insertion into a listing.
Apple is opening five new retail outlets in Canada in the near future, the company says. Geographically, these are being split relatively evenly between the eastern and western halves of the country. Eastern locations include the first-ever Apple Store in Quebec City, and another for Toronto, which already has several shops. In the west additions are being made to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
The iPhone 4 could miss its intended release date in Canada, a change at the Canadian Apple Store suggests. The device was previously scheduled to ship to the country in "July," already a delay past the US release date. The iPhone 3G and 3GS, which premiered in the US in July 2008 and June 2009, respectively, each launched simultaneously in Canada.
Canadian carrier Fido, a subsidiary of Rogers, has dropped prices on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. As the 3G is being phased out entirely, a refreshed 8GB model can be had for $29 under a three-year contract. A new 8GB 3G is $49, and a 16GB version is $149. The pricing of the latter is incongruous though, as a 16GB 3GS is now $99, and the 32GB option is $149.
Canadian carrier Telus has cut some of its contract prices for the iPhone ahead of launching the iPhone 4. A brand new 32GB 3GS can now be had for $149, while a refurbished version of the same unit costs $99. Similarly, a new 16GB 3GS is $99, and a refurbished model is $49. An iPhone 3G can be had for free alongside a subscription.
When the iPhone 4 and 8GB iPhone 3GS launch in the country in July, Canada will finally get its first unlocked iPhones, an Apple FAQ confirms. Although people can already buy iPhones there from multiple carriers, including Bell, Rogers, Telus and Virgin Mobile, models have so far been limited to ones locked to their original vendors. The unlocked option will be available through Apple's online store.
