04/04, 12:34pm
HTC One 32GB for $200, exclusive 64GB for $300
The HTC One has gone on sale in the United States as a pre-order through one carrier, while others are still preparing for their own sales. AT&T has started taking orders for the smartphone today as promised, while Sprint will be opening their pre-order queue tomorrow. Canadian carrier Telus has also announced it will open up sales for the HTC One in the near future, ahead of the phone launch.
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08/02, 10:09am
RIM will launch the 4G LTE-enabled PlayBook tablet on Bell, Rogers and Telus on August 9
RIM revealed on Thursday that its much-anticipated 4G LTE PlayBook tablet will be hitting some of its Canadian stores on August 9. It will only be available through Bell, Rogers, and Telus, though pricing hasn't quite been confirmed. The tablet will use a microSIM card to access the high-speed network.
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07/03, 2:56pm
Telus document shows dates for OS, software updates for seven devices
Canadian wireless provider Telus has released a schedule (PDF) that outlines when its devices will get certain software updates to their operating systems. On the Android side, the HTC Desire HD has an expected in-market date to Android 4.0 on July 17, with the LG Optimus LTE will arrive on August 7. The LG update represents a delay of about three weeks compared to the originally-promised date, however.
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05/04, 12:36pm
Bell now offeirn HTC One V for $0 on a three-year term
The HTC One V smartphone is now available in Canada at provider Bell. On a three-year contract, the phone won't require any up-front payment, though the required voice and data plan is at least $50 CAD ($50.30). Contract-free, the phone is priced at $300 CAD (about $302).
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04/30, 5:10pm
MOTOLUXE reaching Canada in spring
Motorola brought one of its 2012 international phones to North America for the first time on Monday. The MOTOLUXE should be reaching Canada through one or more carriers sometime in the spring. Which carriers, and other launch details, were left out for the Android phone.
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04/30, 9:15am
LG spokesman downplays Windows Phone
LG isn't looking to produce another Windows Phone in the near future, a spokesman said Monday. While there would still be development, the representative wanted to minimize expectations of anything imminent when asked by the Korea Herald. The Microsoft platform's low market share was put at fault as likely making it difficult to justify going beyond Android.
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04/13, 6:10pm
RIM may be close to BBM Android and PlayBook 4G
RIM could be getting close to releasing a pair of major projects based on a pair of tentative rumors in mid-week. One possible sighting emerging from TechnoBuffalo had BlackBerry Messenger being run on an Android device for testing purposes. The lone shot had few extra details, but conspicuously showed an "iPhone test" contact entry, suggesting RIM was developing for both platforms.
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04/03, 9:55am
LG Miracle seen for two North American carriers
The LG Miracle may be bound for two North American carriers at once, based on separate tips. The Windows Phone hardware has shown in an FCC filing as the LS831 intended for Sprint. Details are short as to how it would differ beyond the needed CDMA and EVDO 3G, but it would have a five-megapixel back camera and the expected front VGA camera.
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03/22, 9:35pm
HTC One V seen working quickly
The HTC One V had one of its first hands-on tests as a working device on Thursday. Testing the upcoming Telus version, MobileSyrup saw it running much of Android 4.0 and the matching Sense 4.0 quickly despite the single-core, 1GHz Snapdragon. The only change in this early version is the use of Android's stock if improved task switcher and not the 3D one HTC uses on the One S and One X.
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03/19, 1:35am
iPad 2012 gets our thorough look
Once having the tablet arena almost entirely to itself, Apple is now in the middle of a full-scale battle: everyone who could have a tablet does, and even Amazon's Kindle Fire is in the fray at a very low price. The new iPad, then, faces the challenge of not just being the best but of giving buyers a reason to spend more than $199. A record-setting display, new graphics and 4G go a long way, but we'll learn in our review of the new 2012 iPad to see if it's enough to keep the crown.
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03/14, 6:30pm
Allows foreign ownership, sets auction rules
The Canadian government has issued several long awaited decisions that will alter that country's telecommunications landscape. It has announced that it will open up greater ownership of Canadian telecom providers by foreign investors. It will also set aside 25 percent of an upcoming auction of prime spectrum for smaller carriers.
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03/14, 5:05pm
FCC tests HSPA+, LTE PlayBook tablets
The promised LTE version of the PlayBook tablet has now been spotted at the FCC. An HSPA+ version is also undergoing testing at the government agency. Both are expected to get NFC and a dual-core, 1.5GHz processor.
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03/07, 1:50pm
Upgraded with Retina Display, quad-core A5X chip
Apple today announced the third-generation iPad at an event in San Francisco. The device's main feature is a 2048x1536 Retina Display, twice the resolution of the iPad 2, rated at 264 pixels per inch; existing apps will be upscaled automatically. Color saturation is said to be 44 percent higher. The tablet also makes the switch to a new dual-core but quad graphics processor, the A5X, which Apple says is built with the Retina Display in mind. Interface-wise the tablet has been improved with features like voice dictation.
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02/25, 3:10pm
Nokia Lumia 800 gets Canadian release date
Telus set out to claim the earliest Canadian release of the Nokia Lumia 800 on the weekend by with a teaser confirming a March 2 date. The network didn't want to give out prices for the Windows Phone, but it did expect to have all three worldwide colors so far made public, including black, cyan blue, and pink. The Telus edition should be close in spirit to the European make.
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02/25, 2:20pm
HTC One X near confirmed through tips
The HTC One X has had virtually all its details slip through the scoop of numerous official PR files. Greece's FullGSM got both more images of the quad-core phone itself as well as its spec sheet. Images show a slim design braced by the 4.7-inch, 720p Super LCD 2 display and reinforce that it should be using Android 4.0 with the slightly improved Sense 4.0 layer on top.
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02/20, 12:50am
ZTE PF200 and N910 with LTE show ahead of MWC
(Update: pictures) ZTE early Monday gave a sneak peek at two phones it plans to launch at Mobile World Congress next week. Both the PF200 and N910 will have LTE-based 4G and run Android 4.0. At the top, the PF200 will have a 4.3-inch, 540x960 (qHD) display, a 1.5GHz processor (likely a Snapdragon), an eight-megapixel back camera, and rarities of both a 1080p front camera and NFC wireless.
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02/19, 10:05pm
Samsung Galaxy Note mega phone gets our review
Samsung made much ado of the Galaxy Note during the Super Bowl: the massive 5.3-inch screen and pen were tickets to "freedom" from the comparatively tiny iPhone. But are size and handwriting giving smartphone owners real choice, or is it an attempt to shoehorn the phone/tablet crossover into a market that doesn't want it? Our review of the Galaxy Note will find out if it's rethinking smartphones or just rewinding back to 2006-era PDAs.
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02/13, 11:05pm
iPad 3 should get multi-carrier launch
Fresh details leaked Monday have an LTE iPad 3 shipping for at least two US carriers. AT&T and Verizon would both sell the tablet at 4G speeds, the Wall Street Journal said. Whether or not Sprint's upcoming LTE network wasn't mentioned, but the hardware would have the expected fallback to 3G in areas where LTE wasn't available.
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02/09, 8:25pm
ISPs don't control content court ruled
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Internet access providers are not broadcasters. The ruling means that Canadian Internet providers such as Bell, Rogers, and Telus can't be forced to carry Canadian content on streams or downloads. It also means that they don't have to make payments into funds that subsidize the creation of local Canadian content.
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02/09, 8:55am
Telus becomes 3rd Canadian carrier with LTE
Telus became the third Canadian carrier with an LTE-based 4G network on Thursday. Starting on February 10 in Halifax, the carrier will have the same 75Mbps peak download speeds and 12-25Mbps averages as the existing networks from rivals Bell and Rogers. It plans to kick off the network with the Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE, LG's Optimus LTE smartphone, and Novatel's Ovation MC679 modem; the Galaxy Note with LTE will be available on February 14.
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02/07, 6:30pm
Telus goes all-in on Optik console and mobile
Telus' Optik IPTV service got much more control over non-traditional viewing on Tuesday. Optik TV for Xbox 360 takes advantage of the fall Xbox 360 Dashboard update to use the console as the set-top box, including for remote DVR viewing if there's a traditional DVR on the same network. The support includes full Kinect motion control.
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02/06, 10:35pm
Tentative claim has Apple TV set tested in Canada
Unusual rumors on Monday had Apple negotiating for fabled TV set with Canadian telecom providers Bell and Rogers. The respective satellite and cable TV providers were said by the Globe and Mail to be Apple targets as they had "wireless and broadband capabilities" that could be used for launch partners. The two allegedly even had prototypes in their labs.
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02/05, 11:35am
Galaxy Note orders begin early
Both Americans and Canadians alike got the opportunity to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Note on Sunday. An AT&T listing lets Americans pick the 4G device and a matching plan ahead of the February 19 release. Contract-free purchases aren't available ahead of time on the $300 Android phone, although both the very dark carbon blue and ceramic white colors are options.
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02/03, 2:15pm
Telus phases out all three Wi-Fi PlayBooks
Canadian wireless provider Telus has now deemed that the three Wi-Fi models of the BlackBerry PlayBook seven-inch tablet has reached the end of its life. As such, no returns are being accepted, no new ones are being ordered, and the carrier is clearing them out for the lower price yet, at just $150 CAD for both the 16GB and 32GB versions. The 64GB models are slightly more expensive, at $300.
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01/30, 9:50am
Samsung Galaxy Note LTE may hit Canada first
AT&T's launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note might be preempted by a very wide Canadian release. Bell, Rogers, and Telus have all committed early this week to carrying the LTE version of the 5.3-inch phone and tablet crossover. Although Bell and Telus have only listed it as "coming soon," Rogers has officially committed to a mid-February launch, making it probable that all three will launch at or near the same time.
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01/18, 10:45pm
Telus expected to be first carrier
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.
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01/12, 8:00pm
We interview Nokia at CES 2012
Electronista had the chance to interview Nokia Canada's General Manager Richard White on Thursday with hints of future plans. Although careful not to commit to any particular launches, he noted that Nokia was willing to make sure LTE was in any Windows Phone if a carrier set a requirement for it. The strategy would leave room for Verizon Windows Phones from Nokia given the carrier's new refusal to pick up future 3G smartphones.
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01/05, 12:35pm
Motorola MOTOLUXE and Defy Mini up cheap Android
Motorola sought to raise the baseline on Android smartphones Thursday with a pair of new world models. The MOTOLUXE runs on a modest 800MHz processor but has a four-inch, 480x854 screen, eight-megapixel back and VGA front cameras, and a fairly healthy 1,400mAh battery good for 6.5 hours of talk. Borrowing a slight cue from the HTC Rhyme, the lanyard slot lights up for missed calls, mail, and text.
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01/03, 7:25am
Galaxy Ace Plus gets larger screen, speed up
Samsung in a prelude to CES upgraded its most important budget smartphone. The Galaxy Ace Plus keeps the 320x480 resolution but bumps up from a 3.5-inch to a 3.65-inch screen. A faster 1GHz processor (up from 800MHz) and an extra 1GB of internal storage, for 3GB total, keep it fresh relative to others in its class.
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12/20, 10:55pm
Globalive said to be attempting to expand reach
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.
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12/18, 3:55pm
We review the smallest BlackBerry ever
RIM has usually tried to chase the high end of the smartphone market when it adds a touchscreen: the Storm, the Torch, and the newest Bold phones are all aimed at the same crowd as the iPhone and top Android hardware. With only a limited amount of success, then, it's taken a fresh strategy of bringing a touchscreen to the Curve line for the first time. We'll see in our review of the BlackBerry Curve 9380 if shrinking down and aiming for cost has given RIM a chance at carving out a lead in a young category.
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11/24, 9:35am
Galaxy W and BlackBerry Curve 9380 reach Canada
Canadian carriers on Thursday became the first in North America to get a pair of new smartphones. Bell now has the Galaxy W, Samsung's mid-tier Android 2.3 phone. It raises the bar for entry smartphones through a 1.4GHz single-core processor, a 3.7-inch LCD, 14.4Mbps 3G data (not 4G as claimed), and 4GB of internal space with a microSDHC card slot for more.
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11/17, 6:05pm
Provides connectivity to cellular data networks
Samsung has submitted a cellular-enabled Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus to the FCC for regulatory approval. This new seven-inch tablet features support for the HSPA+ 3G cellular data standard, like the T-Mobile version, but on the 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands used by AT&T and major Canadian carriers. As such, it might be destined either for AT&T or for Bell, Rogers, or Telus.
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11/17, 4:30pm
Phone features touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard
Canadian Wireless provider Telus will soon be offering the Motorola Motokey Social to its prepaid customers. As its name implies, the phone targets users with a strong interest in social networking, and incorporates a dedicated hard key to access Facebook much like the smartphone-level HTC Status. The UI provides five different home screens, two interface themes and built in links to Twitter in addition to Facebook; Opera Mini gives it slightly more sophisticated web browsing.
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11/02, 5:20pm
BlackBerry Curve 9380 gets first confirmed carrier
RIM's budget touchscreen BlackBerry, the Curve 9380, has been given some of its first definitive signs of a holiday release and a carrier through a spotting in a Telus staff holiday catalog. In addition to confirming one of the first providers, MobileSyrup's copy confirms a handful of details, such as its 3.2-inch screen and its focus on "youth" and smartphone newcomers. The hardware could be cheap to own on Telus as it will qualify for the BlackBerry Social plan for those who just need BBM, mail, and other essentials.
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10/31, 12:50pm
Xperia Ray coming to Telus alone in Canada
Canadian wireless provider Telus has just announced the Xperia Ray will be offered exclusively at its stores and online starting on November 2. The Android 2.3-powered smartphone from Sony Ericsson will mark a first at Telus, and is just 9.4mm thin and housed in an aluminum frame. It sports an 8.1-megapixel camera with an Exmor R low-light sensor.
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10/23, 5:10pm
We look at the all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860
RIM's new BlackBerry Torch line is a reboot for the company. After the Storm and Storm2 failed to stem the tide of the iPhone and later Android, the new Torch shows signs RIM has learned its lesson: a faster processor, a touch interface, and the death of its infamous click-down screen. But is it enough? Our review of the Torch 9850 and 9860 will see if RIM is back in form or if its rivals are still moving faster.
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10/21, 1:45pm
Telus to offer Galaxy S II X on October 28
As expected, Canadian provider Telus has now narrowed down the ship date for the Samsung Galaxy S II X smartphone with a banner ad on its site. The flagship is due to arrive on October 28, and while prices aren't being revealed, it is expected to cost $100 CAD on a three-year contract. Its specs are posted for all to browse, however.
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10/17, 1:45pm
Telus stopped offering PlayBook orders October 10
A Telus inventory screenshot unearthed by MobileSyrup indicates the 16GB version of RIM's ill-received BlackBerry PlayBook will soon be discontinued. The document shows two dates, with October 10 being the last day orders of the tablet from the Canadian provider could be made and November 8 the last day returns will be accepted. A third date for when the tablet will no longer be available at Telus is currently blank, though it will likely be when stock is depleted.
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10/07, 2:45pm
iPhone 4S pricing, pre-orders go live in Canada
Many Canadian wireless providers have began offering the newly announced iPhone 4S for pre-orders. We've summarized the prices for the various capacity models at each. The device is available in either black or white at all, and the prices are in Canadian dollars.
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10/07, 4:20am
Apple denies US unlocked iPhone 4S for a month
Americans visiting the online Apple Store to pre-order an iPhone 4S encountered multiple limitations on what they could buy. The unlocked GSM iPhone 4S won't be available until November in the country despite Canadians and some other regions having the option from the start. No reasons have been given, although it may be either supply or an agreement with AT&T.
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10/07, 3:00am
iPhone 4S preorders open worldwide
On cue, the online Apple Store and numerous carriers including AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have begun taking online preorders for the iPhone 4S. The picks include carrier-locked models as well as the full-price but unlocked GSM versions for those who want to switch carriers or avoid early cancellation fees.
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10/01, 3:40am
Sony Ericsson Xperia ray in US carrier-free
Sony late Friday brought the Xperia ray to the US without waiting. The Android 2.3 smartphone is officially available in the country for $425 through stores like Newegg, but without being locked into a any carrier. It carries AT&T-native 3G and should work in Canada as well; T-Mobile owners can use it if they don't mind losing 3G.
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09/22, 4:55pm
Optimus Hub now at the FCC, due in US soon?
The LG Optimus Hub that appeared in Europe recently is now undergoing FCC testing, likely for sale in the US. It could also be an international model, however. The FCC listing does reveal 850MHz and 1,900MHz 3G support, both of which are used by AT&T, Bell, Rogers and Telus.
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09/18, 4:45pm
We review RIM's BlackBerry Bold for 2011
For much of 2011, many had counted RIM out: many 2010 BlackBerry phones were old as soon as you opened the box, and it wasn't clear that it would ever adopt features Android and iPhone users took for granted, like 3D gaming, HD video, or even just fast web browsing. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the vanguard of a complete overhaul that could prove the doomsayers wrong. But does it? We'll answer that in our BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 review.
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09/15, 12:15pm
Samsung Galaxy S II X and Galaxy Tab 8.9 get close
Samsung brought two of its highest-end devices out for official show on Thursday and helped confirm mysteries surrounding the T-Mobile Galaxy S II. Canadian carrier Telus has confirmed that it will have the same version as T-Mobile adapted as the lengthily-worded 4G Galaxy S II X. The 4.5-inch smartphone will both make the switch to a 1.5GHz Snapdragon as well as carry 42Mbps HSPA+ Internet access, making it the first smartphone anywhere to get such speeds without going to LTE.
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09/13, 8:50pm
Bell LTE goes live with modems now, tablets soon
Bell on Wednesday will become the second Canadian carrier to formally launch an LTE-based 4G (link active soon) service. Going live first in the Golden Triangle area in and around Toronto, the service will echo the same 75Mbps peak, 12Mbps to 25Mbps real-world speeds seen on Rogers. Bell's edge will be its support for 42Mbps HSPA+ as a 'fallback' with Rogers' service at a more modest 21Mbps.
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09/13, 4:05pm
Curve 9380 hands-on reveals coming soon to Telus
RIM's first touchscreen-equipped BlackBerry Curve, the 9380, has been handled by BGR, suggesting the device is closer to shipping. The device resembles the Bold on its top half and the Torch 9850 on the bottom. The rear is very close in appearance to a traditional Curve-series smartphone.
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09/08, 1:55pm
Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G now at Rogers, Telus
Two Canadian carriers on Thursday announced the arrival of the mobile broadband version of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet. Both Rogers and Telus offer the device. On either network, the tablet can reach a maximum theoretical download speed of up to 21Mbps over HSPA+ 3G (branded as 4G).
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09/02, 4:45pm
Google begins Android 2.3.6 rollout for Nexus S
In order to address the issue some users faced with its Voice Search feature, Google has released the Android 2.3.6 update starting with the Nexus S. The frustrating problem would have the feature active itself without any user input, making the devices unusable at times. The news broke on the Google Mobile Help Forum.
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