The Rogers- Apple iPhone deal - initial impressions

Apple 4GB iPhone Gadget geeks in the Great White North are rejoicing today after Rogers Communications said it will bring the much-anticipated iPhone to Canada later this year.

Rogers didn’t say when the device will be launched or provide other details such as pricing. Expect the iPhone to be released no earlier than July. (Note to readers: I predicted Apple and Rogers would launch the iPhone in Canada early next year so please take my predictions with a box of salt).

Regardless, the iPhone and Apple will soon challenge the BlackBerry for the title of the top-selling smartphone in Canada.

Here are 5 things I think I think (with apologies to the prolific Peter King of Sports Illustrated) about the impending launch of the iPhone.

1. I think the iPhone will help Rogers extend its already sizeable brand equity lead over rivals Telus and Bell. Rogers Wireless, by virtue of the fact its owns the GSM networks in Canada, has been able to offer leading-edge handsets before rivals for some time. Not so with CDMA operators Bell and Telus unfortunately. Watch for Rogers to extend its subscriber count lead over its competitors.

2. I think Apple and Rogers will sell more than 120,000 iPhone units in the first 12 months after its introduction.

3. I think the Toronto Star’s Chris Sorensen, a former colleague of mine at the National Post, broke the biggest tech story in Canada this year.

4. I think I’m going to avoid the Apple stores in Toronto, where I live, for the remainder of the year as I don’t want to be run over by the stampede of prospective iPhone buyers.

5. I think I feel sorry for Nokia Canada managers that are set to launch the underrated N95 device this Friday in conjunction with Rogers. You can count on a series of iPhone questions at the press conference. Sigh.

6. I think the first round of iPhone users (that Rogers knows about) are going to choke when they see their first bill. The wireless overage fees will make a grown man cry.

7. I think it’s highly doubtful Rogers is forking over a significant amount of revenue generated from an iPhone owner’s monthly service plan to Apple.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

April 29, 2008 | Filed Under News Items and Commentary 

Comments

2 Responses to “The Rogers- Apple iPhone deal - initial impressions”

  1. Paul on April 30th, 2008 2:17 am

    Rogers willl somehow screw it up and screw everyone who buys it. The best advice, stick with the Blackberry.

  2. Kevin Restivo on April 30th, 2008 2:23 am

    Well, I don’t expect Rogers to introduce AT&T like data plans that’s for sure.
    If that’s ’screwing it up,’ then I guess I agree.
    Once Rogers and Apple start to market and sell it, I expect it to fly off the shelves.

Leave a Reply