Canada Has Its Very Own Version of the AT&T vs. Verizon Ad Lawsuit

Telus and Rogers are sworn enemies in the Canadian wireless carrier arena, sort of like AT&T and Verizon but on a much more quaint, socialist and cold scale. And like our own two big dogs, Telus and Rogers have been at each others' throats recently about advertisements—Rogers has ads claiming it's "Canada's most reliable network" and that its speeds are twice as fast as any other network. Telus hit back, claiming it's not true (Telus did after all just launch a 21Mbps HSPA network) and Canadian courts actually forced Rogers to pull the offending ads, an interesting twist on the lawsuit pattern we Americans pioneered. Anyway, I know we're going to be crushed in the comments with high-larious anti-Canadian jabs, so let me pre-empt:

Igloo, cold, eh, hockey, The Arcade Fire, Bob and Dave MacKenzie, Pamela Anderson, who cares. [Boy Genius Report]

CollegeHumor Tackles Modern Warfare 2 (With Bonus Giz Appearance)

CollegeHumor just posted a video in which comedy nerds play (and are subsequently killed during) Modern Warfare 2, with a bonus appearance by our own Adam Frucci. I can exclusively report that Adam Frucci is a very old man who is several years removed from college, but the video's pretty funny despite this factual error. Discussed within: MW2's similarity to Crash Bandicoot, Dick Cheney quotes, a tax-funded sequel to Psychonauts, and why the glamorization of war is awesome. [CollegeHumor]

LG BL4 Gets Christmas Edition

You know, in America, Christmas editions are usually red and green, but in South Korea, it looks like they hang black tinsel on gold trees, because the LG BL40 Christmas edition is decked out in those colors. It's a small upgrade from the original BL40, with an 8MP camera (up from 5MP, though who knows if it's any better), a fancy case and entry into a contest with lots of prizes. It's in Remainders because only those black-and-gold-loving South Koreans can get their hands on it so far. [Engadget]

VUDU Adds Wikipedia, Possibly the World's Most Boring Update

VUDU is a pretty nice media service, built into set-top boxes and TVs and offering nice 1080p streaming, and adds to its repertoire Wikipedia integration. It's previously added Rotten Tomatoes, which is a little more obvious (and dare we say useful), and I personally might prefer IMDB rather than scrolling through prose paragraphs on my TV in Wikipedia, but it's good that Vudu is constantly updating its product. If you have to ask why it's in remainders, you probably haven't read this far: Vudu, Wikipedia, snore. [Engadget]

The latest piece of info allegedly comes from a Rogers employee, who snapped us a shot of their Hardware Upgrade Sales Flow system, shown above. Here's what he had to say about it:

It clearly shows that an 8GB 3GS has been added to our stock list and is the same price as the 3G coming in at 99$...

The first listing is showing 74.00$ (promo price with data plan and minus customers 25$ discount)

The second listing shows the phone if the customer does not choose a data plan, which is normall 299$ minus said $25 discount, so 274$

I think that when 3G stock runs out they are going to build 99$ 3GSs since those are the parts they are ordering, might as well keep the parts list minimal...

This is the second such internal reference to a 8GB 3GS to come from Rogers in as many weeks, not to mention their recent website fiasco, where an 8GB 3GS was listed in a feature comparison chart, then deleted as "a mistake."

Here's what's especially weird: When a company gets caught out like this, they usually have two main options. Either they just admit that the leak is true, or they issue a giveaway non-denial, which effectively accomplishes the same thing. Of course, there's the third, last-ditch option, which is to just straight lie. Rogers' denial was flat and unequivocal, but it's totally within the realm of possibility that, if the alternative is blowing a big announcement for the notoriously vindictive Apple, a company might be willing to say just about anything.

So is this really happening? None of these leaks stand alone as totally convincing, but three unconnected reports? That's a little too much to ignore, even for a skeptic. UPDATE: And this, from commenter Strang:

Being a former Rogers employee I can say that this is enough evidence to say that 8GB 3GS is coming for sure. Sales Central is the interal website that all staff use and it's never been wrong. Hardware actually pop up on the site all the time and they have all materialized. It used to be a natural hint when we see something we don't recognize on it and know that it is new hardware that will be shipping soon.

What the hell, why not: Hello, 8GB 3GS! Or to put it another way, RIP, iPhone 3G. You won't be missed. —Thanks, Mr Rogers!

First, the above chart: it clearly indicates the existence of an 8GB 3GS—look at that checkmark!—which seems to lend credence to an earlier, shakier report from BGR that the carrier would launch an 8GB version of the handset. But then, this:

That's from the same site, on the front page. If there was an 8GB version of the 3GS, it's safe to assume it'd be cheaper, and just as safe to assume that Rogers would want to advertise this fact. Rogers spokespeople were unavailable for comment this morning, but we can confirm their salespeople know nothing of the device, telling us that the only 8GB iPhone available is the 8GB 3G. Of course, the chart could reflect leaked info about some future announcement, unseen by Rogers sales minions, but I'm leaning toward some intern screwing up a complex chart over a bizarre, irrational shakeup to Apple's—and by proxy, Rogers, AT&T, 02 and others'—product line.

UPDATE: A Rogers spokeperson returned our email, confirming our suspicions:

You're right, there is no 8GB 3G s iPhone. There is a formatting error on our website. It is being corrected asap

FWIW, they were a little less emphatic when talking with Electronista, but at least for now, this looks like a no-go. [MacRumors via BGR]

We'd known it as the Pluto, but now it's been given a traditional RIM numeric identification as the 99xx series. It's got just about the same form factor as the Bold, including the QWERTY keyboard, but with one notable addition and one notable feature missing: It's got a touchscreen in place of the trackball.

This blurry shot shows a Rogers-branded 99xx (a major Canadian carrier), and the 3G device is allegedly due for a late 3rd quarter release up north. "Late 3rd quarter release" is code for "don't bank on this until the 4th quarter", but we're excited nonetheless. We'll continue with updates as we get more info. [CrackBerry]

The full handset list, as transcribed by BGR, is here:

* Blackberry 82XX Pearl Flip (3G version of 8220 Pearl Flip but with GPS, WiFi, and video calling)
* Blackberry 9520 Storm (North American 3G GSM bands and 802.11 b/g WiFi)
* HTC Touch 3G
* HTC Touch Pro
* HTC Touch Viva
* Motorola MOTOZINE ZN5
* Motorola Q11
* Motorola VE66
* Nokia N79
* Nokia N85
* Nokia N96
* Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
* Samsung M8800 Pixon
* Sony Ericsson Xperia X1a
* Sony Ericsson C905

Some prices are still sometime horrific, natch, but this handset selection—which includes the hitherto unheard of 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi Pearl Flip and Wi-Fi Storm handsets—provides some relief for the long, dark winter of the gadget soul that is life in Canada. [HowardForums via BGR]

Calling all iPhone 3G fans!

Select Rogers Plus stores to open early coast-to-coast on July 11 Launch promotions to include limited time 6GB data offer

TORONTO, July 9 /CNW/ - In anticipation of iPhone 3G launch on July 11, Rogers Wireless today announced plans to open the doors of select Rogers Plus retail stores across Canada in advance of regular hours. Starting at 8:00 am July 11, Canadians will be able to purchase the new iPhone 3G at special launch day events to be held at six Rogers Plus stores across the country. Be among the first in Canada to get the next generation iPhone 3G and have the choice of a 6GB data plan through a limited time promotional price offer. "As Canada's leading wireless carrier, Rogers is excited to bring iPhone 3G to Canadians even sooner, allowing our customers to be amongst the first in the world to experience this amazing mobile innovation," says John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. "To celebrate its launch on Canada's fastest wireless network, we're rolling out the red carpet with special events at six Rogers Plus stores and a limited time price promotional data offer from coast-to-coast." iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast(*) as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.

Rogers Launch Promotions —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- The following Rogers Plus stores in these cities will open their doors at 8:00 a.m. (all times local) on Friday, July 11 for advance purchases of the Apple iPhone 3G: Toronto: 112-10 Dundas Street East Montreal: 1015 rue St. Catherine Ouest Ottawa: 690 Bank Street Halifax: Unit 265, 7001 Mumford Road Calgary: 5244 Falsbridge Gate, NE Vancouver: 2097 West Broadway

Customers attending launch day events at these Rogers Plus stores will be treated to a free early bird breakfast and have a chance to win Rogers Wireless prizes. Effective July 11, and as a limited time promotional offer for customers who activate by August 31 on a three year contract, a data-only offering of 6GB of data for $30 per month is being made available that can be added to any in-market voice plan. For example, with 6GB of data, iPhone 3G users can visit 35,952 web pages, or send and receive 157,286 emails, or watch 6,292 minutes of YouTube videos each and every month.(xx) New Canadian iPhone 3G customers will also have the choice to select from Rogers Wireless' existing voice and smartphone data plans and/or additional features to best suit their needs, or from Rogers Wireless' value bundled plans specifically for iPhone 3G. Existing Rogers Wireless customers can keep their current voice service plan and select a separate data plan to meet their needs or choose from other plans after checking their individual upgrade eligibility. Starting July 11, iPhone 3G will be available at participating locations across Canada, including select Rogers Plus, Rogers Video, and Rogers Wireless retail locations and at the following specially selected authorized Rogers Wireless dealers: WirelessWave, TBooth and Wireless etc. iPhone 3G can also be purchased online at www.rogers.com and through Rogers' customer service at 1-888-764-3771. For a complete store listing, visit http://your.rogers.com/mq/mqlocator.asp. Due to anticipated high demand, there is a maximum purchase of two iPhone 3G per customer.

(*) Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds may vary due to a variety of factors. (xx) Based on live trials of iPhone 3G on Rogers HSPA network, July 2008

Kara: Why not TiVo tech in TVs, powering everything?
Rogers: Biggest reason is that TVs already have tiny margins. Building them into TVs makes it hard to drive the same pricing. What we are finding is that the TV world is extremely commoditized so they need to do things to differentiate with things like ease of use, and those things are bringing us back front and center.

Kara: How do you move away from the rep of a content thief?

Roger: We got around it by saying that no matter what TiVo does, fast forwarding through commercials is here to stay. They have to deal with it. No way to turn the clock back on this. They need to figure out an ad model that works. Passive watching isn't going to work against the measurability of the web medium. So that's what we're working on. Ads in menus, ads at the end of the show or doing pause. Somehow you have to get them to click into and measure an ad.

Rogers: Do something to catch someone's eye. Maybe at the end of the show, which is effective because there's no interruption. Not everyone will watch your ad, but no one really did before. People changed their channels, went to the kitchen, and it was a lie. We track it by seconds, and it's astounding the difference between what people thought watchers were doing with ads.

The broadcast industry has to say that once everyone has a DVR, they have to figure out a way to advertise, otherwise they don't have a business model.

Rogers: The cable companies are interested in getting our software. The box still has a role, though, because we can talk to a customer without an intermediary. It helps us gain leverage on cable companies, because we don't have to pitch it to them. We're here as a customer option they can see and compare the boxes to.

Kara: How about the internet content?
Rogers says they do this.

Kara: And people want one box to do this all. But who can do that? You're not in a power position to do this.

Rogers: That's why the box is important to us.

Rogers also says that cable will be the ones he thinks will do the box, because they're already in the position of delivering so much. (Over both broadcast and IP, these days—B.L.)

Rogers also thinks that TV networks have to avoid the same pitfalls that the newspaper guys are dealing with now versus the web. They need to rethink their models now to avoid dark times.

Rogers on CableCard: There's no reason in the world why a cable company can't just mail it to you. The cable industry sends a guy out and goes into your house, and has a chance to sell you his box, but this hasn't been worked out in a regulatory rules yet.

Rogers on the TiVo/Comcast deal's delay so far: The actual development time was 18 months, plus 10 months of prep before that. It's not the box or software, it's the infrastructure that cable has that has not proven it can support advanced operations. (What's that mean? Cable has TV and IP, what else do you need?)

Rogers on more video sources: There isn't a video producing company that isn't talking to TiVo today. Amazon Unbox isn't exclusive.

Rogers on getting content around the house: Right now you need additional TiVo boxes, but we're looking at addressing this need.

[All Things D]

Rogers is actively working with Apple to launch the iPhone in Canada as soon as possible and will be the exclusive provider of the iPhone in Canada.

iPhone [Gizmodo]

The first thing you notice when you place the 7130g in your lucky, lucky hands is how junky it makes the 7100 feel. They seem to have shaved about half a centimeter off the length of the device and a few solid millimeters off the width. In every way the 7130g looks smoother, slimmer and generally more aesthetically pleasing than the 7100; they've basically taken the best design elements of the 8700 and the 7100 and thrown them together.

Other thoughts he had was that the the 7130g takes some design cues from the 8700. The square keys makes it a bit easier to hit, even though the space key has been shrunken quite a bit. It was easy for him to transfer his stuff from his 7100 onto the 7130g by making a backup and loading them onto the new phone. The guy really likes the 7130 more than the 7100 and thinks it may make convert some 8700 users that want a more "phoney" phone. – Jason Chen

First look at Rogers' BlackBerry 7130g [BlackBerry Cool]

If you're a neighbor to the north, you best run down to your local Rogers dealer so you can pre-order a pink RAZR. Only 5000 will be available for pre-order and last I checked, it's hip to have a pink RAZR, so make haste. Why should you get one though? Easy. $25 from each phone is donated to breast cancer research, so you're doing something good while trying to be the next Vincent Chase from Entourage. Of course if you're really cheap you could make a $5 donation to breast cancer research and buy a faceplate off eBay.

Only 5,000 Pink RAZR Available Canada [I4U]