Thursday, July 3, 2008 -- 12:47 p.m. -- on my couch

For all of the times that I've railed on Verizon's Voyager and everything BlackBerry, I knew one thing for sure ... the iPhone offered something those devices could not.

And I've railed on the Samsung Instinct, the so-called iPhone killer that's this week's Voyager.

In most places, the Instinct will barely make a dent in the iPhone's world.

Most places aren't Canada, where Rogers crazy plans are going to have a significant impact on the popularity of the iPhone 3G.

I believe, based largely on this article from today's Globe and Mail that the Samsung Instinct will be the iPhone killer in Canada, and here's why.

"A subscriber can buy the Instinct for as low as $149.95 and then pay less than $40 a month for a modest voice plan accompanied by an unlimited data plan on Bell's high-speed data network."

Plain and simple, that's why.

Bell Mobility is a Canadian company that gets it ... it obviously understands that consumers don't want to hear anything other than a good and fair deal ... not about networks and how it understands how the world works, etc., etc., etc., it understands what needs to be done for it to succeed.

And it's done it ... it's come up with a fair plan that rivals any data plan that is available in the U.S. or the U.K. -- and for Canada, that's a monumental achievement. Because, according to Rogers, data plans are priced differently in Canada than in the U.S. for a variety of reasons ... this proves that is nothing but 100 percent baloney.

No doubt Rogers will come out with some reply about its network, its customer service ... it will find a million reasons to put down Bell's forward thinking. That's fine.

I want every Canadian consumer to be able to enjoy the wonders and beauty of an iPhone. But I want Canadian consumers to be treated fairly.

In this round, Bell wins hands down. Actually, consumers win. They win big.

Let me know your thoughts, please. While I've been focusing on Canada the past few days, it's really not about any one country as much as it's about fairness in the industry, no matter where you are.

Thanks for calling.

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There is a good reason that the iPhone has the vast majority of cell phone web surfing usage. It has a world class web browser built in and it displays real web pages.

A good plan from Bell or Telus on a bad web surfing cell phone is not the answer. Get a cheap, 'it only makes phone calls' cell phone and the plan you need. Also buy an iPod Touch and surf the net via WiFi anywhere you can find an open WiFi network.

It's way cheaper and almost the same experience and the e-mail and text messaging are no extra cost.

Ive had an iPhone since March, and the Samsung instinct is the ONLY other phone that has made my head turn. It looks pretty similar to the iPhone, which helps but it also looks really nice. Canadians should tell Rogers to stick it and go with the original iPhone on another network or get the instinct.

If I can drag you away from your unrelenting assault on Rogers, which to an O2 Ireland iPhone customer doesn't look ALL THAT BAD!, can I turn your gaze to a curious item I discovered on my iPhone this evening.
The calender goes all the way back to January 1933. (Yes, I did hold my thumb on the left date arrow for a minute or two!)
Why is that?
Scott, I realise that this doesn't rate a lengthy discussion but I am curious.
p.s. In solidarity with those who like keeping the 'u' where it belongs in words like FLAVOUR, LABOUR, HONOUR and COLOUR may I express my support for all Canadians/Canadiens who are standing up to Rogers. Go, Canada!!!

The "Instinct" doesn't have a real web browser, so you won't use as much data as you would on an iPhone, so your data plan is cheaper. I'm not defending Rogers, I'm just making a valid point.

Also, the iPhone is a phone and an iPod, so you save money there too. Oh and it plays video games like a Nintendo Wii and has GPS.

The iPhone is a computer with a platform and software that will grow, unlike the crapware instinct.

You get what you\u pay for.

That's a good deal whether you live in Canada or not! I think Apple gave the iPhone to the wrong guy this time. Maybe Steve should call up Bell Mobility's head honcho for a chat.

Wait, i just remembered that Bell uses CDMA and not GSM. Oh well...

In Canada, you can get the LG Vu with $7 unlimited data on Rogers. The LG Vu is not popular here. The Instinct may be the iPhone plan killer but the phone hardly compares, especially with the 3G.

In Australia the Telcos have been slugging us for data, SMS etc. ever since mobile phones/the mobile web came along. I'll hold off on the iPhone simply because I don't believe our current state of competition lends itself to reasonable plans. The Telcos obviously see the iPhone as a way to gouge consumers - if people sign up nothing will change.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Interesting take, Grant. Anyone else here from Australia that can lend their take. It's great to have you from Down Under, Grant.

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