Hasta La Gadget!

Samsung’s ATIV S has only just started trickling out into the marketplace, but Canadians will be happy to know they’re some of the first to get their feet wet: Bell, Rogers and Telus have all made the Windows Phone 8 headliner available from today. We’re seeing a wild variety in pricing that doesn’t often happen with smartphones, however. Bell is offering the phone for $100 on a lengthy 3-year contract, but the amount drops to a momentary $80 at Rogers and just $30 at Telus’ discounted price. Landing the ATIV S off-contract either costs $600 (at Bell and Rogers) or $650 on Telus. Locals shouldn’t count on a walk-in purchase when there’s talk at MobileSyrup of tight supply; they’ll likely still be glad when they at least have the chance a week or more before their British counterparts.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: MobileSyrup

Source: Bell, Rogers, Telus

Bell and Virgin Mobile will unlock the iPhone for those willing to pay a fairly high fee and who meet a couple of stipulations. The offer is for Canadian iPhone users, and was confirmed via two leaked memos that found their way to the tech site Mobile Syrup. The program started today, but will be “launched in a phased approach.”

In order to qualify for the current unlocking program, iPhone owners have to meet certain requirements that are revealed by the leaked memos. For starters, the iPhone must be owned outright, and cannot be on a contract plan. The iPhone owner must be a post-paid Bell or Virgin customer as well. Those who don’t meet all three requirements are out of luck.

Information that the two companies planned to offer an iPhone unlocking service first appeared over at iPhone In Canada, but was lacking in details. With this leaked memo, we get a nice glimpse into the stipulations and fee, but also a notice that additional information will be available in the near future. Says the leaked memo, the eligibility guidelines will be expanded during the “next Phase in 2013.”

Reads the Virgin Mobile leaked image: “Hey Peeps! Virgin Mobile is getting into the Holiday spirit by supporting our Members with unlocking their sweet iPhone! Starting Monday, November 26th, you’ll play the role of Santa’s little helper and assist in their request to unlock their iPhone.” Customers can take advantage of this service via Bell’s Credit and Prevention line, or via Virgin Care for Virgin Mobile customers.

[via Mobile Syrup]

Virgin Mobile and Bell now unlocking iPhones for a hefty fee is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Unlike Nokia, all of HTC’s Windows Phone effort in the US this fall has been centered on the high-end, through the Windows Phone 8X. That makes the FCC appearance of its budget cousin, the 8S, borderline cruel for American fans of HTC’s hyper-colorized design. The phone getting clearance has support for both AT&T and T-Mobile HSPA bands without the LTE that either American carrier would want. Given that the 8S is officially destined for Canada (and not the US) without a named carrier, we’re most likely looking at an example for a budget Canuck provider such as Mobilicity or Wind. At least the frequencies will be a comfort to gray market US importers who want HTC’s Windows Phone aesthetic on the cheap.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

HTC Windows Phone 8S hits the FCC with North American 3G, gives the US a horrible tease originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone fans in the Great White North shouldn’t have to wait long to get their hands on HTC’s latest piece of kit — a internal Bell document obtained by MobileSyrup pegs the 8X for a November 15th launch. The reported Canadian launch date trails T-Mobile’s availability by a mere day, noting that pre-ordered devices could ship out as early as November 9th. Not too surprising, considering the phone just skipped through the FCC with support for the entire north American continent. No word on pricing, but the page’s listed specs nicely match the brightly colored 4.3-inch, 1.5GHz dual-core slab we reviewed. Not a Bell customer? Don’t worry — MobileSyrup is hearing murmurs that the same date applies to Rogers, as well.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

Bell gearing up for November 15th HTC 8X release originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you didn’t get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we’ve opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, T-Mobile announced the price and release date for the Optimus L9, carriers were announced in Canada for the ATIV S Windows Phone and ZTE released a low-priced Android smartphone for Virgin Mobile in the UK. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the “best of the rest” for this week of October 22nd, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of October 22nd, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, LG, T-Mobile

Mobile Miscellany: week of October 22nd, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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