Tips for a Fun Life…we know all =)

The most-talk-about iPhone is finally coming to Canada. Rogers and Apple both announced the launch of iPhone in Canada on July 11th, 2008, with the thinner and improved 3G model - the 2nd generation of iPhone.I have been using an iPhone in Canada for over 10 months being one of the remoured 100,000 unlocked iPhone users in Canada, and using Rogers’ network - well, we don’t have a choice. Rogers is the only GSM network provider in Canada, for now. I am paying around $35 a month for a voice plan, this $35 also includes caller ID, unlimited weekend and evenings, 200 any time weekdays, unlimited text message and other service/misc. charges/fees and taxes. I am never impressed by Rogers’ network for the unreliability - I have drop calls on GO train or even just on a street in downtown Toronto. Comparing to the reception I had when I used a TREO smart phone with Bell, the Rogers’ network reception is disappointing. To be fair, I did not experience drop call while I was using Bell service. However, I switched to Rogers when my 2-year-contract with Bell ended since I simply HAD TO use Rogers for iPhone. I unlocked and jailbroke that iPhone and installed many useful 3rd party application on it. Overall, I enjoy it as a pretty cool toy as well as an acceptable cell phone. Also, the voice plan I paid for is just similar to what I paid with my other cells, using wi-fi connecting to internet and getting my emails are very convenient with iPhone being able to detect free wi-fi spots in downtown and I used that at home or office as well.

Apparently, Rogers hasn’t unveiled its data plan arrangement for this iPhone that they are now officially introduce to Canadians. It was reported that a 3-year-contract is required at time of purchsing and the iPhone has to be activated at store. But with my experience, I won’t be surprised if the data plan is to be set at $70-80 per month. I remembered calling Rogers to inquire about data plan to use on iPhone, I was told that $75/month is required for that. That was a few months back when I was just curious about how much I have to pay for the data plan if I were to get it on my iPhone. I did tell the service guy in Rogers that I am looking for a plan for my iPhone. My call was transferred a few times to reach someone in data support dept. and I was given that information. They sounded to have reeived inquiries on that before and was quite sure of $75 data plan for 1GB had I wish to add it to my plan. And sure enough I said no. If adding both data and voice plan together, you are looking at paying about $100 plus per month for just that phone, which makes oever $3000 by the end of your contract. Yeah, I know, if one needs a cell phone and voice plan is needed, then spending about $40 per month is reasonable. But spending $110-150 per month for a phone?? Nah, I am not sure about you, but I ain’t doing that. I might as well use that money to buy another MacBook Pro LOL. And don’t forget for the exceeding data you use, if you are only subscribing to 1GB plan, you might end up paying hundreds per month for that iPhone so watch out. But do you really want to stress with watching out using your phone data usage every month? Again, not me.I am good with my 1st generation iPhone which costs me $399 last year but does everything pretty much similar to the newer one with $35 per month voice plan and watching YouTube, getting my emails and browsing internet for no data cost with Rogers.

Oh…the Jim Prentice copyright act…unlock cell phone is illegal? hmmm… didn’t hear that…:P