For years, Canadian Blackberry users have been getting a pretty raw deal, but now iPhone users are going to join the lineup of disadvantaged customers.
The Canadian iPhone plans start with a miserable 400MB of data (for CAD60), going all the way up to a "whopping" 2GB for CAD115 (with just 800 minutes).
AT&T Wireless customers can get 1350 minutes (plus unlimited calls to any AT&T line), as well as unlimited data for the same price as the top tier Rogers plan.
The cheapest AT&T iPhone plan is $69.99 a month, with 450 minutes, 5000 night/weekend minutes and once again, unlimited data. None of the AT&T plans come with free text messages, so I guess the Canadians get a bit of a break there.
Initially, some reports said that the Canadian iPhone would come with an unlimited plan, which infuriated the Blackberry community who have been asking for cheaper plans for years. But to their "relief", iPhone users will be getting the same crap deal they get.
The worst part of the Rogers iPhone plans, is that all customers will have to sign a THREE year contract!
Canadians can join a petition to ask Steve Jobs for his intervention in getting a better plan, but I highly doubt this will have any effect.
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29 Jun
My deal of the day today is for the Navigon 5100 GPS unit. This device has an integrated FM traffic receiver AND comes with a free lifetime traffic subscription!
Inside the unit you’ll find over 5 million points of interest as well as a complete Zagat guide! Other features include the Navigon "reality view" lane guidance system and text to speech for reading street and road names.
The Navigon 5100 is on sale at Bestbuy.com for just $149, which includes a free Navigon carrying case! Hurry up, because the deal ends tomorrow.
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26 Jun
Posted by scottc as AT&T, Blackberry
Amazingly, the hottest upcoming phone this summer is not the 3G iPhone. It is the Blackberry Bold (in my humble opinion of course)
RIM’s latest was planned for a July release, but according to BGR, issues with heat and battery life have pushed things back to mid August.
I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t make me a little sad. The Blackberry Bold is the only phone I *really* want at the moment. Fingers crossed that this delay will be the only one. Of course, a delay on AT&T means the release on T-mobile will also be pushed back, since AT&T usually get a 3 month head start with new devices.
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If you have an iPhone, and plan to stick with it for the time being (skipping the 3G version), then Griffin have a great deal for you - 6 of their best cases for just $50.
You’ll have a different case for almost every day of the week! These cases normally cost over $20 each, so it really is a hot deal.
Cases included: Reflect, Elan Form (black leather), Elan Form (cork), iClear, Elan Sleeve, and Elan Convertible.
Product page: Griffin Technology specials
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My deal of the day is the MoGo Bluetooth adapter. As you can see, it is a tiny adapter that barely sticks out of your laptop.
The adapter supports Bluetooth 2.0 which means faster speeds and an extended range. It is on sale today for just $10, and even ships for free!
One word of warning though; in the past I’ve had readers complain that buy.com cancels orders when they feel like it…
Product page: Buy.com
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24 Jun
Posted by scottc as Communicate
When it comes to Mobile Operators, Virgin Mobile USA really is the little engine that could. While some other virtual network operators have come and gone (Ampd), Virgin seem to be doing quite well. Their phones are available in most electronics retail stores, and their prepaid plans are attractively priced.
Their upcoming "totally unlimited plan" offers unlimited mobile calls (mobile to mobile, and mobile to fixed) for just $79.99 a month, without a long term contract (no contract at all actually). A similar plan from the "big operators" is $20 more on a 2 year contract. Unlimited text messaging can be added for $10 per month.
The monthly fees can be paid for by debit, credit or a Virgin prepaid card, which means that anyone, including tourists can signup for it.
My next wish from Virgin? Prepaid broadband data plans!
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24 Jun
Posted by scottc as Being productive, Communicate
American Airlines is the next big carrier to embrace in-flight broadband Internet. The service runs off the Aircell system I previously wrote about back in January.
Some American Airlines Inc. transcontinental passengers will get a chance to browse the Internet in-flight on Wednesday.
The Fort Worth-based carrier and technology provider Aircell LLC said Tuesday that they are planning a dress rehearsal of the service on a round trip flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles.
A broader customer trial on flights between New York and San Francisco and New York and Miami is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks and the carrier is considering expanding to other fleet types, said H. Douglas Backelin, American’s manager of inflight communications and technology.
"I think there will be great reception to the service," Mr. Backelin said. American and Aircell have spent the last three months conducting in-flight tests on the carrier’s fleet of 15 Boeing 767-200 airplanes, but Wednesday will be the first time the airline’s customers can give it a whirl.
Access will cost $12.95 for long flights (over 3 hours) and $9.95 for shorter flights. Access to some sites (like Frommers) will be free.
Source: Dallasnews.com
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When you surround yourself with sun, sand and surf, it is pretty easy to forget minor things like putting your GPS unit out of sight (or removing it from your car). But every year 1000’s of GPS units will be stolen.
So, as a public service to all my readers, I’m going to give you 3 simple tips that will make things a little harder for thieves, and may even skip your car.
1) Always remove your GPS unit from your vehicle. It sounds like such a logical thing to do, but we have all left it in plain sight before (I know I have). Don’t just take the unit itself out, but also remove the windshield mount and charging cord (otherwise it’s just an open invitation to check out the rest of the car).
2) Enable the security function on your GPS unit.
Of the "big manufacturers", only Gamin and TomTom seem to understand the threat of your device being stolen, so they have added a PIN protection option. Garmin even include warning stickers for your car, alerting wannabe thieves to their security features.
On a TomTom unit, go to your preferences screen, select "set owner", then "options" and set a 4 digit pin.
3) Remove as much personal information as possible. I’ve always suggested removing your home address from your GPS unit.
If someone steals your bag (containing your home keys and GPS unit), then it’s pretty easy for them to head over there and help themselves to some more goodies.
Of course, it is always handy to have your home address programmed in the unit, so feel free to do so, but call it "police station" or "grocery store" to fool the thief.
Set the "home" address to your office or a mailbox service (if you have one) so the device can be returned if an honest person finds it. But an even better option is to attach a Stuffbak locator sticker to it.
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24 Jun
Posted by scottc as GPS
It’s summer, so it’s the season for non-news and silly gadgets. And the Mio Knight Rider GPS unit fits perfectly in both of those categories.
While other GPS makers put millions into researching the latest and greatest features, MIO simply added some nifty red lights and a K.I.T.T. voice to their GPS unit.
And I think it is brilliant.
I’ve had a Knight Rider voice on my TomTom before, and it is pretty cool (for about 20 minutes), but this thing takes thing much further.
Be sure to check out the video of K.I.T.T. in action.
Source: Gizmodo.com
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24 Jun
Posted by scottc as Luggage
File this one in the "I want it" folder. This morning, Live Luggage announced the availability of their PA (Power Assist) series luggage.
These hard frame suitcases have motors built into the wheels, and force/tilt sensors integrated in the handle which means you can drag your crap through the airport with very little effort.
The whole concept would have been fantastic, if it weren’t for the ludicrous price; $1365 (plus an additional $147 to ship it to the US).
The features and specifications of the case:
But to me, the price isn’t the biggest hurdle; it’s the fear of checking a $1500 suitcase, knowing that there is a 50% chance the airline will wreck it. I’d also be worried of forgetting to charge my case…
Source: Live Luggage PA series
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