iPhone 3G Launch Summary…What Really Happened–PICS!

By Gary Ng on July 12th, 2008 94

Yesterday’s iPhone 3G launch in Canada was quite the gong show across the country. Even though the doors opened at 8am, sales came to a sudden halt at–8:05am! The problem was that the iTunes server went down, which made activation impossible.

On top of that, the Rogers internal system went down–and stayed down! So that’s a double whammy. One would suspect that Rogers could have prepared themselves a little better for this. I mean, they know the iPhone 3G is going to sell like hotcakes so why not have your back systems on standby? Yesterday’s post incurred over 120+ comments–an indication that Canadians were either livid or happy regarding the launch. I found a lot of people had bad experiences, while a small minority was quite successful.

Anyways, enjoy the following photo essay of the Vancouver iPhone 3G launch at the Rogers Plus location (aka a Rogers Video with a TINY section for cellphones) on West Broadway/Arbutus.

The line up that went around the corner…

I arrived at 5:45am…shortly after, these people arrived after to form the line behind us

Well, well, well…look at what we found in the Vancouver Sun? It’s Canada’s FASTEST mobile network!

Rogers did have draws as promised! However, afterwards they just gave away the rest of their swag. Managed to get a free umbrella, arm sweatband, and tshirt. Hey, now it’s my time to do the gouging of Rogers freebies!

The form you see on the chair was handed out to us to tally up how many people wanted the rare 16GB iPhones.

Looks like we have upper management being interviewed by Bradley Shende, executive producer from MSN’s Connected Life technology show. They also interviewed yours truly, so keep your eyes peeled for the next segment!

I also did interviews with Asians media outlets Fairchild TV and ePoch Times. They saw me, asked me if I spoke Cantonese (I said yes) and we were off to the races. Umm…too bad my Cantonese is spotty at best and trying to talk about the iPhone 3G was just humorous. “blah blah blah 3G blah blah iPhone…” is pretty much how it went! If you have a clip of the Fairchild segment, let me know!

But the fun didn’t stop there. I also did some “on the scene” updates with 95 Crave FM (thanks Buzz!). My last update I called them to inform them about the unfortunate turn of events. One hour in and only 1 or 2 iPhones activated, I had to jump ship. I left as it I couldn’t wait any longer. BUT…good news. I managed to track down an 8GB iPhone in Victoria! I should have it by tomorrow!

Ahh…this is when the problems started. Eager iPhone 3G fans getting the unfortunate news that the systems are down. All they can do is wait in pure agony. One of the guys here, upon opening up his brand new shiny white 16GB iPhone 3G, used a BOX CUTTER to try and take out his SIM card tray!

A group of us watching from the outside cringed at the sight of torture on that brand spankin’ new iPhone! I don’t blame him, as the Rogers employee watched him attempt the procedure–I think she was the one who gave him the boxcutter! FAIL!

Here’s a tiny clip of the number of people in line as of 5:45am:

…and that was the launch! Too bad Rogers failed with their systems going down. I will report back with my iPhone 3G if all goes as planned tomorrow. So, how do you like your 3G so far? Is it everything you’ve always dreamed of?

**Looking for an iPhone 3G case? Go get an invisibleSHIELD, the strongest protection for your iPhone backed by a 30 day moneyback guarantee, lifetime replacement warranty, and FREE shipping! Order today!**

Gary Ng

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of iPhoneinCanada.ca. Follow @iPhoneinCanada and on Google+. Click here to save 20% OFF at ZAGG.com with coupon 'iphoneinca'!

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http://www.downinmycave.blogspot.com/ MIkey Twit

As much as I want the iPhone, I’m glad I passed on this round. I’ve got 3 years now to bide my time with my Krzr and Bell Mobility, in which time the Canadian cell industry will hopefully be competitive and an even better iPhone will be out, or perhaps different variations.

For me, the only thing I really wanted, was to combine my iPod with a cell phone. Surfing and email are nice, but not a huge mobile priority with me. Having said that,I live on iTunes, my iPod is always hooked up to my car stereo(can’t remember the last time I played a CD in the car) and I always carry my cell. Sure there are cell phone with mp3 players in them, but the suck at best or are completely unusable at worst, plus they don’t sync with iTunes, which is what I need. That’s the real real reason the iPhone would be godsend for me. It’s just that data rates just need to make more sense before I can really consider getting one, and just going with a voice plan with a phone this powerful, seems to miss the point.
http://www.downinmycave.blogspot.com MIkey Twit

As much as I want the iPhone, I’m glad I passed on this round. I’ve got 3 years now to bide my time with my Krzr and Bell Mobility, in which time the Canadian cell industry will hopefully be competitive and an even better iPhone will be out, or perhaps different variations.

For me, the only thing I really wanted, was to combine my iPod with a cell phone. Surfing and email are nice, but not a huge mobile priority with me. Having said that,I live on iTunes, my iPod is always hooked up to my car stereo(can’t remember the last time I played a CD in the car) and I always carry my cell. Sure there are cell phone with mp3 players in them, but the suck at best or are completely unusable at worst, plus they don’t sync with iTunes, which is what I need. That’s the real real reason the iPhone would be godsend for me. It’s just that data rates just need to make more sense before I can really consider getting one, and just going with a voice plan with a phone this powerful, seems to miss the point.
Brent R

To follow up my earlier post after successfully getting nowhere being in line I tried to log into Rogers.com to buy one (they had a buy page) but that was not reliably up and unclear as to how to keep my voice and just replace my data pkg w/ the 6GB/$30 one. So I called at about 10pm and was on hold for an hour and then “ring” and after two minutes speaking with a guy I had a free-shipped 16GB white iPhone on the way via courier! BAM! I should have just called in the first place where I can be on hold on speakerphone and do something else with my day.
Brent R

To follow up my earlier post after successfully getting nowhere being in line I tried to log into Rogers.com to buy one (they had a buy page) but that was not reliably up and unclear as to how to keep my voice and just replace my data pkg w/ the 6GB/$30 one. So I called at about 10pm and was on hold for an hour and then “ring” and after two minutes speaking with a guy I had a free-shipped 16GB white iPhone on the way via courier! BAM! I should have just called in the first place where I can be on hold on speakerphone and do something else with my day.
Brent R

To follow up my earlier post after successfully getting nowhere being in line I tried to log into Rogers.com to buy one (they had a buy page) but that was not reliably up and unclear as to how to keep my voice and just replace my data pkg w/ the 6GB/$30 one. So I called at about 10pm and was on hold for an hour and then “ring” and after two minutes speaking with a guy I had a free-shipped 16GB white iPhone on the way via courier! BAM! I should have just called in the first place where I can be on hold on speakerphone and do something else with my day.
Silverkm

Woot! I’m in a youtube video lol
Silverkm

Woot! I’m in a youtube video lol
Silverkm

Woot! I’m in a youtube video lol
fill

Has anyone run into this yet?: I attempted to purchase an app with my existing iTunes credit … It wouldn’t permit me to pay, continually giving me an error message. I contacted apple they have informed me that “due to Canadian laws, or somethinxg, you can’t purchase apps with iTunes credit.”. So basically I have to spend 100 bucks on $1 songs insted of applications (the reason I got the iTunes card) what a load eh?
fill

Has anyone run into this yet?: I attempted to purchase an app with my existing iTunes credit … It wouldn’t permit me to pay, continually giving me an error message. I contacted apple they have informed me that “due to Canadian laws, or somethinxg, you can’t purchase apps with iTunes credit.”. So basically I have to spend 100 bucks on $1 songs insted of applications (the reason I got the iTunes card) what a load eh?
fill

Has anyone run into this yet?: I attempted to purchase an app with my existing iTunes credit … It wouldn’t permit me to pay, continually giving me an error message. I contacted apple they have informed me that “due to Canadian laws, or somethinxg, you can’t purchase apps with iTunes credit.”. So basically I have to spend 100 bucks on $1 songs insted of applications (the reason I got the iTunes card) what a load eh?
Smart Guy

Whats the rush in getting an iphone??
You think rogers will stop after august and just sell iphones at their normal prices?
You’re all just guinea pigs!
Once rogers have all you locked up 3 years, they will lower the prices to capture the next group of consumers
Smart Guy

Whats the rush in getting an iphone??
You think rogers will stop after august and just sell iphones at their normal prices?
You’re all just guinea pigs!
Once rogers have all you locked up 3 years, they will lower the prices to capture the next group of consumers
Smart Guy

Whats the rush in getting an iphone??
You think rogers will stop after august and just sell iphones at their normal prices?
You’re all just guinea pigs!
Once rogers have all you locked up 3 years, they will lower the prices to capture the next group of consumers
http://andrewdasilva.com/ Andrew da Silva

Am I the only one getting “Could not activate cellular data network”?

I read that this can be caused by the account not being fully activated…

Up to now I was pointing at Rogers’ network, but there’s no threads on this subject yet…
http://andrewdasilva.com/ Andrew da Silva

Am I the only one getting “Could not activate cellular data network”?

I read that this can be caused by the account not being fully activated…

Up to now I was pointing at Rogers’ network, but there’s no threads on this subject yet…
http://andrewdasilva.com/ Andrew da Silva

Am I the only one getting “Could not activate cellular data network”?

I read that this can be caused by the account not being fully activated…

Up to now I was pointing at Rogers’ network, but there’s no threads on this subject yet…
Brian

Before you try downloading anything from AppStore or iTunes on your iPhone 3G, make sure that you sync to your computer first. By default, the phone tries to access the US version of AppStore and iTunes, and when using a Canadian account, it fails.

Anyways, yea I was out at 6:15 am PDT, and finally got my iPhone 16GB Black at just after 7 (about 13 hours later). Amazing! The problem was Rogers. iTunes authorization returned at noon or so (reports). But the Rogers system was down a lot longer. I can see iTunes going down, the amount of load on their bandwidth and servers would have been huge.

Rogers though… they had no excuse for dropping off-line with (comparitevly) so few transactions. It seemed like all they did was continually try to reboot their servers then just gave up and told their store reps in pacific to wait until east had closed. Thats the impression I got anyways.

Cheers,
Brian

Before you try downloading anything from AppStore or iTunes on your iPhone 3G, make sure that you sync to your computer first. By default, the phone tries to access the US version of AppStore and iTunes, and when using a Canadian account, it fails.

Anyways, yea I was out at 6:15 am PDT, and finally got my iPhone 16GB Black at just after 7 (about 13 hours later). Amazing! The problem was Rogers. iTunes authorization returned at noon or so (reports). But the Rogers system was down a lot longer. I can see iTunes going down, the amount of load on their bandwidth and servers would have been huge.

Rogers though… they had no excuse for dropping off-line with (comparitevly) so few transactions. It seemed like all they did was continually try to reboot their servers then just gave up and told their store reps in pacific to wait until east had closed. Thats the impression I got anyways.

Cheers,
Brian

Before you try downloading anything from AppStore or iTunes on your iPhone 3G, make sure that you sync to your computer first. By default, the phone tries to access the US version of AppStore and iTunes, and when using a Canadian account, it fails.

Anyways, yea I was out at 6:15 am PDT, and finally got my iPhone 16GB Black at just after 7 (about 13 hours later). Amazing! The problem was Rogers. iTunes authorization returned at noon or so (reports). But the Rogers system was down a lot longer. I can see iTunes going down, the amount of load on their bandwidth and servers would have been huge.

Rogers though… they had no excuse for dropping off-line with (comparitevly) so few transactions. It seemed like all they did was continually try to reboot their servers then just gave up and told their store reps in pacific to wait until east had closed. Thats the impression I got anyways.

Cheers,
http://andrewdasilva.com/ Andrew da Silva

I just fixed it, damn it.

Reboot your iPhone if you have the issue I describe above.

*banghead*
http://andrewdasilva.com/ Andrew da Silva

I just fixed it, damn it.

Reboot your iPhone if you have the issue I describe above.

*banghead*
CommonSense

———————————————————————————
“iBog said on July 12th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I arrived at about 8:30 AM to the Fido store in Winnipeg (St. Vidal Centre) and was #2 in line.

I have a month-to-month Incoming calls voice plan ($30/month).

I requested the white 16GB iPhone 3G and the promotional $30/month data plan (6GB). I paid $350 plus taxes.

I insisted that my voice plan not be modified in any way and only wish to accept a 3yr agreement on the data plan. After looking over the paper work, it appears my voice plan was modified and is now on a 3 year term.

I will be returning my iPhone within 15 days as I do not want to be on a long term voice contract.”—————————————————————

COMMON SENSE RESPONSE: (I do not work for Rogers)

Maybe you should have done some common sense research before buying your 16Gig iPhone, and waiting in line only to waste everyone’s time.

DID YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT YOU COULD SIMPLY RECEIVE ONLY A 3 YEAR DATA PLAN WHILE KEEPING YOUR VOICE CONTRACT ON A MTH-TO-MTH?

So ummmm….were you planning on getting another new phone on your freed voice contract later on? and then maintaining just a data plan for the iPhone. You don ‘t want a three year “voice” contract, but you don’t mind signing up for a three year “data” plan???? Does any of this sound ridiculous to people?

Even I knew as an existing customer that my “ACCOUNT” would have to be renewed for three years, voice and all in order for me to get this phone.

That was the most ridiculous post I have ever read this far. Posts like those are counterproductive to this site and discredits other people trying to post useful and informative messages.

When Rogers SPECIFICALLY SAID 3 YEAR CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED, they meant for your account!! Next time, do your research.
CommonSense

———————————————————————————
“iBog said on July 12th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I arrived at about 8:30 AM to the Fido store in Winnipeg (St. Vidal Centre) and was #2 in line.

I have a month-to-month Incoming calls voice plan ($30/month).

I requested the white 16GB iPhone 3G and the promotional $30/month data plan (6GB). I paid $350 plus taxes.

I insisted that my voice plan not be modified in any way and only wish to accept a 3yr agreement on the data plan. After looking over the paper work, it appears my voice plan was modified and is now on a 3 year term.

I will be returning my iPhone within 15 days as I do not want to be on a long term voice contract.”—————————————————————

COMMON SENSE RESPONSE: (I do not work for Rogers)

Maybe you should have done some common sense research before buying your 16Gig iPhone, and waiting in line only to waste everyone’s time.

DID YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT YOU COULD SIMPLY RECEIVE ONLY A 3 YEAR DATA PLAN WHILE KEEPING YOUR VOICE CONTRACT ON A MTH-TO-MTH?

So ummmm….were you planning on getting another new phone on your freed voice contract later on? and then maintaining just a data plan for the iPhone. You don ‘t want a three year “voice” contract, but you don’t mind signing up for a three year “data” plan???? Does any of this sound ridiculous to people?

Even I knew as an existing customer that my “ACCOUNT” would have to be renewed for three years, voice and all in order for me to get this phone.

That was the most ridiculous post I have ever read this far. Posts like those are counterproductive to this site and discredits other people trying to post useful and informative messages.

When Rogers SPECIFICALLY SAID 3 YEAR CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED, they meant for your account!! Next time, do your research.
who me?

CommonSence I couldn’t say it any better myself.
who me?

CommonSence I couldn’t say it any better myself.
thatgadgetgirl

As much as I was trying not to upgrade, 6 gb for $30 is enough for me to want the 16 gb iphone 3g HUP…even if it means signing my life away for the next 3 years.
thatgadgetgirl

As much as I was trying not to upgrade, 6 gb for $30 is enough for me to want the 16 gb iphone 3g HUP…even if it means signing my life away for the next 3 years.
DocNic

Anyone know about the family plans and the iphone? Hoping to get one here in Calgary, and my dad’s back in PEI – also, anyone have a great plan for decent daytime minutes, (approx 250 per person), text, caller id, visual voicemail that they want to share the details about? Finally, does anyone know if the 6 gb can be shared between two with the family plan?

Cheers,

DocNic
DocNic

Anyone know about the family plans and the iphone? Hoping to get one here in Calgary, and my dad’s back in PEI – also, anyone have a great plan for decent daytime minutes, (approx 250 per person), text, caller id, visual voicemail that they want to share the details about? Finally, does anyone know if the 6 gb can be shared between two with the family plan?

Cheers,

DocNic
Dylan Wilson

Was 12th inline in a GTA (burlington) Rogers wireless store. Took about 7 hours for me to walk how with an activated one (ariving at 9am) and unbricked at home instantly with new plobems.
Dylan Wilson

Was 12th inline in a GTA (burlington) Rogers wireless store. Took about 7 hours for me to walk how with an activated one (ariving at 9am) and unbricked at home instantly with new plobems.
Kenny Smartz

The store I went to in Winnipeg on Friday activated only 3 phones and I left my name on a list to call if things got better. Today at 4:00pm I picked up my 8gb model and they said they only activated 5 phones today. They had no 16gb phones, they only received one and it was the first unit to go yesterday.
I’m still figuring out things since it’s my first iphone. I tried the app store and wanted to download the free NYTimes front page application. I then got the message that I can only download apps from the Canadian itunes store. WTF? Didn’t even know there was one.
Kenny Smartz

The store I went to in Winnipeg on Friday activated only 3 phones and I left my name on a list to call if things got better. Today at 4:00pm I picked up my 8gb model and they said they only activated 5 phones today. They had no 16gb phones, they only received one and it was the first unit to go yesterday.
I’m still figuring out things since it’s my first iphone. I tried the app store and wanted to download the free NYTimes front page application. I then got the message that I can only download apps from the Canadian itunes store. WTF? Didn’t even know there was one.
Yoshand

I got to Brentwood mall in Burnaby at 5am, I was first in line. The second guy came at 6am and the third guy came at 7am, after 7am the line began to grow. At 10am Rogers told us the Rogers computers were down due to too much traffic, they had to phone in the activation. I finally got to hold my iPhone for the first time at 1pm and I was the first in line. I waited 8 hours for the iPhone and the wait was totally worth it, this iPhone is just amazing, I feel like I am holding a piece of history.
Yoshand

I got to Brentwood mall in Burnaby at 5am, I was first in line. The second guy came at 6am and the third guy came at 7am, after 7am the line began to grow. At 10am Rogers told us the Rogers computers were down due to too much traffic, they had to phone in the activation. I finally got to hold my iPhone for the first time at 1pm and I was the first in line. I waited 8 hours for the iPhone and the wait was totally worth it, this iPhone is just amazing, I feel like I am holding a piece of history.
JBop

so what happens if you have a 3 year contract with the iphone 3G now and a new model comes out next year?
JBop

so what happens if you have a 3 year contract with the iphone 3G now and a new model comes out next year?
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Chris

Rich …. Don’t do it!!!!
I have an old 4G phone that was unlocked and jailbroken with Ziphone. Worked with Rogers like a charm (I don’t subscribe to data plans). I did the upgrade when prompted, old habit … late at night …. OOPS. My iPhone is a brick.
Until I go to Rogers and “Stand and Deliver”. If I’m patient, something will come out soon, but DON’T upgrade an old model if you want to keep it unlocked. It’s been VERY handy while travelling in Europe to get a sim card from the locals.
Chris

Rich …. Don’t do it!!!!
I have an old 4G phone that was unlocked and jailbroken with Ziphone. Worked with Rogers like a charm (I don’t subscribe to data plans). I did the upgrade when prompted, old habit … late at night …. OOPS. My iPhone is a brick.
Until I go to Rogers and “Stand and Deliver”. If I’m patient, something will come out soon, but DON’T upgrade an old model if you want to keep it unlocked. It’s been VERY handy while travelling in Europe to get a sim card from the locals.

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