Android in Canada Blog

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream

2. Voice Plan Details? $20 EPP (200 minutes) + $20 value pack

3. Data Plan Details? 6GB/$30

4. Location of purchase (store/city) Montreal downtown

Dislikes and problems:

- Camera (really awful compared to n95, which I used a lot)
- No light sensor (low backlight to save battery, but have to manually adjust in sunlight)
- Onscreen keyboard doesn’t work in portrait mode
- No standard headphone plug (I thought it would come with an adapter, but it just comes with a fixed headset)
- Short battery life

Likes:

+ Android OS!!!! Very nice.
+ Full keyboard
+ General ergonomics
+ Many Android apps (sky, shopper, etc), at least conceptually, though the app browser needs better organizing (too many dups)

I did not get one myself, but my friend got an HTC Dream with 500MB data plan, not sure on prices and voice plan,
Winnipeg Square was where it was purchased from.

I stopped by that store around 4pm on revolution day and played with a demo unit, and the workers said they had only sold two the whole day and that one of those was to the store manager or something.

One dislike that we were playing with yesterday is that text messages timestamps are wacky, being an hour off in most cases which really, really messes up conversation flows.

I’m not surprised they are not selling well, major iPhone and Palm Pre announcements are around the corner, many people will wait and see. But for me, it’s all about the open source, multi vendor, internet oriented aspects.

PS any chance the comment software could remember my name &c?

Its so “buttony”.

@Davidm, you are 100% correct. The launch went less than stellar. In Vancouver, BC, every single Rogers store only received 2 – 15 units and by end of day June 2, 2009, every store still have 2-4 units on hand.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Magic
2. Voice Plan Details? Mega Incoming $30 + $12 Value Pack… Yay for having a plan that doesn’t exist anymore. Seriously I hate the fact Rogers got rid of this plan since it saves me so much money.
3. Data Plan Details? 6GB/$30 … Again another plan that will be discontinued (temporarily) in a month. Was the seller for me. I wanted an iPhone but couldn’t
4. Location of purchase (store/city) Best Buy Vancouver… When I got there they said they sold 4 Android phones, and I got there at 2:00pm

Dislikes:

- No 3.5MM plug. Seriously stupid omission on these phones.
- Camera is bad, video capturing is also bad. No flash.
- Internal memory is still not enough, while more than the Dream, you’re still going to run out of space pretty fast compared to say the iPhone and future Android phones.

Neutral:

- I miss the keyboard, but the predictive text is good. The phone has corrected every mistake that i’ve made so far. And I don’t do THAT much texting so its alright.
- Battery life isn’t good, but its comparable to the iPhone I think? I’m just used to having more battery life with my phones. Not a huge issue but annoying.

Likes:

- Form factor, not as sexy as the iPhone but its definitely a sexy phone.
- Trackall! Best thing ever. I don’t think I could go back to a phone without a trackball after this. I rarely navigate using anything other than the trackball.
- It’s android. While still young this OS has so much potential and its only going to get better. Already tons of apps to use.
- ShopSavy … Not really an Android exclusive anymore given that it’ll be making its way to iPhone, but I really love this app.

Overall:

It’s sleek, its sexy, its android, and while not exactly a phone that’s going to be an iPhone killer, it’s awesome.

- I’m going to miss an actual keyboard, but the onscreen keyboard is above average and the predictive text has corrected every mistake so far

1) Magic
2) $30 double minutes + $12 extras
3) $30 for 6gb
4) Rogers store in Victoria BC

Things I love:
+Able to install non-market apps without unlocking
+Android SDK allows Java developers to write their own apps
+Fast 3.5G Internet – Pages loads fairly quickly

Things I like:
+Plenty of free apps in the Android Market
+Charges over USB with standard micro-usb cable
+Able to stream music using iMeem Mobile
+Buttons and trackball
+With contract, is priced below most competing smartphones
+6gb plan gives me peace of mind

Wish List:
+Headphone Jack. There are adapters available on Ebay.
+Full screen uTube videos, with option for higher quality
+Canadian Android Market should support paid apps
+Bunch of UI issues still need fixing
+The ability to delete the Rogers apps/links

There are plenty of user interface and consistency problems which I hope will be addressed in future OS updates.

I do recommend turning off the GPS when you don’t need it. I found it’s a big battery sucker.

-rt

Thanks for chiming in everyone. Android is definitely a start to get the smartphone war going! You can bet newer firmware updates will bring more features and bug fixes.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream
2. Voice Plan Details? $45 smartphone plan
3. Data Plan Details? 500mb
4. Location of purchase (store/city) saskatoon, rogers store

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream
2. Voice Plan Details? $30
3. Data Plan Details? 500mb + Unl MMS and SMS + Voice mail for 35$
4. Location of purchase (store/city) Ancaster/ Ontario (Rogers Business services via phone)
Shipping was very fast. I got my phone on Jun 3rd at 10:00am via UPS.
Dislike:
Onscreen keyboard doesn’t work (It is blocked for now hope I could a way to unblock it)
No standard headphone plug.
Bluetooth Paring with my iMac has some issues.
Like:
Very handy.
Nice OS (I am a Google lover) so I can do whatever I want through my Google account with this phone.
Sound quality is perfect. (I had a big problem with my Sony Erickson cellphone.)
Internet speed is very good and better than iPhone in our area.
Connection with computer with USB cable works fine and nice.
Free apps from market place.
and lots more.

Conclusion: It is better than iPhone and Blacberry but still needs improvement.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? – Magic
2. Voice Plan Details? – $30
3. Data Plan Details? -$ 6gb $35
4. Location of purchase – Rogers Wireless, Edmonton

Still don’t understand why NEW customers get the phone for $199, and loyal, existing customers (like me) who want to upgrade their phone and renew their contract have to pay $450.

Still, I swallowed the price because I’ve been following Android for months and really wanted this phone.

OS is sleek and functionality is great. Camera could be better, but the Maps function, GPS, web browsing is all phenomenal. Android Market, while it does not have any paid for apps yet, is growing. Every day new apps are popping up. Overall, GREAT phone.

Cheers

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream

2. Voice Plan Details? $25 mega – 15 smartphone valuepack

3. Data Plan Details? 6GB

4. Location of purchase (store/city) – Vancouver – Through Telephone

Loving the phone so far, the internet speed is amazing compared to my old iPhone 2g !!

Went for the slide out keyboard because I was sick of using the touchscreen keyboard on the iPhone.

Hopefully the Android market will get some premium paid apps.

No complaints yet, besides the questionable battery life.
- At least it’s a replaceable battery !!

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream

2. Voice Plan Details? 200 minutes EPP: $20 + wireless essentials value pack (enhanced voice mail, unlimited texting) $20

3. Data Plan Details? 6GB +APN3CON: $30

4. Location of purchase (store/city) over the phone

I ordered it over the phone to ensure I got the APN3CON SOC code (so that I could switch back and forth between my bb curve), and also to get the EPP voice plan. Should arrive in the next day or two.

For those worried about battery capacity problems you should look at the “Innocell 2600 Extended Life Battery ” from seidio (it has twice the capacity of the OEM battery). I purchased an extended battery for my bb curve and I am hoping for similar excellent results for my g1.

1. Dream or Magic? HTC Dream

2. Voice & Data Plan? The $45 special.

3. Location of Purchase? Kitchener, Ontario

Pros:

1. Generally awesome.
2. Love the slide-out keyboard.
3. Love the apps. Some are truly amazing (ShopSavvy, Shazam, Google Places Directory, Firewallet)
4. Lack of soft keyboard easily rectified.

Cons:

1. Runs slow sometimes.
2. Touch screen not as responsive as my iPod Touch.

Overall, very happy with purchase.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Magic
2. Voice Plan Details? $45 Mega? Plan
3. Data Plan Details? 500mb
4. Location of purchase (store/city)Rogers Video, Cambridge, Ontario

Pros:
slimmer profile than Dream
on-screen keyboard works great
OS is fairly polished
lots of apps, both useful and useless
wi-fi works great
its not apple or microsoft

Cons:
3G is not all that fast (spoiled by faster home connections)
track-button is too sensitive
lack of 3.5mm headphone jack

This is my first smartphone. Strictly a linux user, so i have been waiting a while for this to come out in Canada.

Overall I am liking the phone.

I was eligle for an upgrade last time I checked, but so far I have heard 4 different prices for my new HTC magic. at this point I don’t know if I’m paying $149, $199, $299 or, if I accept my current bill, the full retail price of $549
I love the phone, but it seems like the reps at Rogers or their retailers have not been properly briefed on these phones before launch

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream
2. Voice Plan Details? Mega value plan $25
3. Data Plan Details? 6GB data plan
4. Location of purchase (store/city) Rogers Plus/ Richmond Hill

Cons

Softboard keyboard disabled for canada
Short Battery life and gets shorter when WiFi is turned on
Camera should have come with a flash
No Spell check

Pros

WiFi
Trackball
Android Market
Android OS
Built in google apps
Qwerty Key board
3.5 G

Is anyone running an ADP1?

If I buy one direct from Google (and my interest is in developing applications so an unlocked and rooted phone that I can switch firmware on would be handy for testing) what are my chances of convincing Rogers to let me use it on their network at some not unreasonable expense?

Any tips on negotiating with the local GSM monopoly when you are bringing your own phone to the table?

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream
2. Voice Plan Details? Old Mega Time plan w/ Unlimited Network Calling
3. Data Plan Details? 6GB data plan
4. Location of purchase (store/city) Rogers Plus in Sunridge Mall (Calgary, AB)

I used to flip flop between iPhone and Blackberry Bold, but this has the best of both worlds.

I bought the Dream yesterday.

These crazy idiots have no ability to program a pause into the phone!!!!?!?!?!?

Hello!!!!!! Google It’s 2009.

I think this stopped being something that was hard to do in about 1987. Its supposed to be a phone!!!! Maybe they don’t use voicemail out in Cali!?!?!?!

I had read some time ago that Rogers (unlike their pet Fido) does allow you to use any device under their data plans. Any comments? Should we hire an attorney? Here’s my $200 to resolve this.

We should do something to work this all out before we get sidelined and screwed with our “open,” “revolution” device. Carriers in the US have promised open networks you can run any device on. We deserve the same.

Ok I’ve had my Android Dream for 3 days.

First let me say that I like a lot of things about it.

Having Google Maps in your pocket is fantastic. The rendering of Maps, the screen detail, the way it’ll show you (as a blinking dot) moving along Bloor or the 401…unreal.

The browser and integrated search is great.

I was able to get my different mails pointed to it fairly easily. Mail functionality (ie push-like svc) seems excellent. (Im a 12 yr plus BBerry guy, back to the pager double A powered models….)

Syncing contacts and calendar has some really neat functionality, esp if you are google apps or gmail centric.

But.

Phone is misnamed. It should be called Albert Einstein, Age 5.

It does the stuff above really well. You can guess that at 21 the thing is going to be stupid good.

But.

It’d be fascinating to see how the Google engineers think if it wasn’t happening to you…..here are some really dumb#ss problems with Android. Most are phone related….I’d guess the google brain trust doesn’t spend a lot (any?!) time on the phone….

Complete Bonehead Item Number 1
I know you wont believe this but its true. You cant store a pause character or any special characters in a phone string on Android today. NO AUTOMATED VM RETRIEVAL. NO PHONE BANKING. NO PBX MANIPULATION OF ANY KIND. Check this out: You can’t store a buddy’s corporate number as 416-333-2222 x2435……..BECAUSE ANDROID WONT TAKE THE “x” character. (Sorry for the caps……just can’t fathom this, even Motorola engineers figured this out in 1987!!!)

Bonehead 2
Default front screen is gorgeous. Comes preloaded with ROGERS and below that the date and time. Turns out the ROGERS CANT BE CHANGED TO YOUR NAME!! Google!! Guys!!

Bonehead 3
Believe it or not…..No sending texts to a group of recipients. I’m serious. Only 5 years behind on this forehead-slapper.

Bonehead left-your-fly-open-for-the-big-preso 4
You get a text or a vmail with a block of useful info in it. You’d like to cut and paste that into another app. I can’t figure out how to do this……I’m praying that it’s do-able, but if it’s not, this moves into Bonehead slot Number 1AAAA, yep its the penthouse. If this is in fact do-able, and I can’t yet believe that it’s NOT do-able……it sure as potatoes isn’t easy or obvious……

Despite what this report probably sounds like…..I sort of like the little 5 yr old (Albert Einstein) shaver. Stay tuned for a 1 month birthday update!

anyone have a screen protector or skin for their Magics yet?
Only skin i can find is from Zagg (pretty expensive).. any other suggestions there?

where’d you buy them and how much?

thanks.

fyi: This is the second try at this message. I think there’s some filtering going on which blocked my first one. I’ve removed the urls in case.
-

I did order the ZAGG. It had cheap shipping to Canada which balanced it out. Get 20% off by using “ZAGG20″ in the discount field.

I also ordered a $10 hard case and $15 Headset kit from “fommy” “dot” “com”. The headset kit has a microphone and a 3.5mm adapter allowing any headphones.

I haven’t received them yet. I hope they’ll be in this week.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream
2. Voice Plan Details? $25 Mega Value w/Double Minutes. $12 Voice mail, Call ID, $5 for 250 txt msg.
3. Data Plan Details? $30-6GB *oh ya!*
4. Location of purchase (store/city) WirelessWave, Victoria BC.
Pros:
Slide out keyboard.
OS is fairly polished
lots of apps like: NetCounter, Phonalyzer, Shazam, PureRSS, chompSMS and Wi-Fi tether.
wi-fi works great, and hands off as soon as you are in range of a prefered network.
Not am apple or microsoft product.
Has tones of potential.
Tethering is allowed on data plans over 1GB.
Cons:
3G really is slow….or poor 3G coverage here.
track ball is too sensitive.
lack of 3.5mm headphone jack.
Can not Wi-Fi tether without root.
Not *currently* rootable.
Poor speaker, only mono…makes a poor alarm clock.*spoiled by my Nokia N95-8GB*
On screen keyboard not preinstalled, have to install it yourself. Can not git rid of the Rogers name and icons with out rooting the phone.
This is a good start, but like all good things, it will get better with age.

1. HTC Dream or Magic? Dream (white)
2. Voice Plan Details? $25 My5+5 (10) + 100 (+50 bonus) wkday minutes + 1000 early (6pm) evening/weekend + 500 incoming
3. Data Plan Details?$30 6GB
4. Location of purchase (store/city) Rogers at Yonge/Dundas (Toronto)

I had it for about a week now, and it is a little buggy. Scrolling usually isn’t that smooth, I thought that we can copy-paste, I can’t seem to figure out how to do that. Many force closes, not just apps that I downloaded but with essentials like calendar… browser too.

I like how its so easy to get who you want to talk to… the soft keypad also has letters like a normal phone. Maps, gps are faster than the iphone. I was able to open a word document, unable to edit (app for $20) but the format was kinda messed up. Same with pdf… format is a little messed up. I like how u can tweak some things to save on battery life, helpful for a road trip… that switch to 2G when u need it can be quite helpful.