We know that the iPad will go on sale April 3 in the USA. Canadians will get the iPad near the end of April. As for the upcoming iPhone, if history is any indication it should arrive in June/July. That has been the case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Should You Buy an iPad or the ‘Next’ iPhone?

This might seem like an odd poll question to ask, but I’ve received a few emails from readers asking this very question. It seems some people out there need to make a decision soon: should I buy an iPad, or save my money for the next iPhone this summer?

Here is my take on this scenario, and it will surely differ from yours:

- If you’re currently using a first gen iPhone or iPhone 3G, and are looking to upgrade, get the next iPhone coming this summer
- If you’re an iPhone 3GS owner, you could do without either and just wait for firmware 4.0 (but that’s no fun right?)
- Don’t have an iPhone yet? Buy a 3G version iPad and use Skype to make outgoing calls. You would be able to call Canada/USA for $3/month plus the cost of Pay As You Go Data. You’ll have all the fun of the iPhone OS but won’t have a real phone.
- Don’t buy anything until the next iPhone and 4.0 firmware is revealed.

Poll Time: What Will You Do? Buy the iPad? Buy the next iPhone? Buy Both? Wait?

As for the next iPhone, it will also depend on where you are within your contract with Rogers/Bell/Telus. We know how sticky these upgrades are. That’s why when the next iPhone is released, I’m going to purchase the phone outright without a contract. Freedom is worth the extra price up front.

It’s going to be an exciting time when the iPad is released. I’m looking forward to seeing what apps developers will come up with. As for the next iPhone, I’d hope for the iPad’s A4 processor, iChat capabilities, a larger HD screen, better battery life, and more customization in iPhone OS 4.0.

Should You Buy an iPad or the ‘Next’ iPhone? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

Sibling site iPadinCanada.ca recently covered how Apple’s latest iPad has a new battery replacement policy. This policy will cost iPad owners $99 plus shipping to get their batteries replaced. But here’s the catch: Apple will replace the entire iPad (new or refurbished, we don’t know yet) instead of just swapping out the battery!

This differs from the existing iPhone battery replacement program that will only replace your iPhone battery. Now, for those who care about keeping their original device, the iPhone program is great. But if you’re an iPad owner and your battery dies, you can just get an entire replacement iPad.

What policy is better? Take a look at them below:

iPad:

“If your iPad requires service due to the battery’s diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee.”

iPhone:

“If your iPhone requires service only because the battery’s ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will service your iPhone for a service fee.”

What do you think? There are still unanswered questions as to what kind of iPad you will be getting, new or refurbed. Would you want a new replacement iPhone or just your battery swapped?

Apple to Replace Entire iPads for Batteries–What About iPhones? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

If you are looking to get an iPhone 3G/3GS, you may want to consider service from Bell, as they are giving customers some lucrative credits when they buy.

Bell has detailed a promotion for potential iPhone buyers that gives customers an $85 credit. At this time, the promo is available at Best Buy and Future Shop locations and requires the purchase of an iPhone 3G/3GS on a 3-year agreement.

The $85 worth of credits breakdown into a $50 store credit (can be used for hardware or accessories) and a $35 bill credit. The promotion expires on March 31, 2010, so if this is worthy, maybe check it out.

[MobileSyrup]

Buy A Bell iPhone And Get $85 In Credits is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

So far we’ve talked about the L5 remote, Bell PVR TV remote app, and the RedEye Mini. Being able to control all your multimedia devices with one remote is very handy. The latest patents submitted by Apple reveals that they have some sort of super remote in the works.

PatentlyApple.com writes about the following:

Apple has been trying to create the ultimate universal remote in their labs for several years now. In fact, the first of three patent figures in our cover graphic above is from one of their 2007 patents on the same subject. In this report, we’ll show you some of the great things that Apple is dreaming up in respect to Apple TV and a universal remote that is starting to really take shape: A universal remote that may finally have some real meaning beyond just controlling our iTunes content. Where’s the beef? Well here it is – and a whole lot more!

On one hand, Apple’s patent basically relates to portable electronic devices and more particularly to systems and methods for saving and restoring scenes in a multimedia system. What is a scene? A scene includes the states of one or more components in the multimedia system. States of components that could be captured in a scene can include, for example, the states of lights (e.g., whether they are turned on or off and their brightness levels), the states of speakers (e.g., volume level and balance), media that is playing on a media playback application, metadata associated with the media that is playing, or any other suitable states.

Devices in the multimedia system could include consumer electronic devices, such as televisions, set-top boxes, stereo receivers, and computers, and appliances, such as lights, window shades, and fireplaces. In addition, universal remote controls have been designed to interact with a wide variety of devices, so that a single universal remote control could be used to control more than one device. For example, a universal remote control could control both a television and set-top box.

This is very interesting. If Apple is going to create a new universal remote we could also see a new version of Apple TV coming our way (Apple’s so called hobby). What do you think? How soon will we see some sort of remote that controls our entire house, either via the iPhone or iPod Touch?

Apple Universal Remote Coming Soon via iPhone? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

Today Apple announced that the WiFi model of the much anticipated iPad will be available for sale in the USA on Saturday, April 3 2010. The WiFi + 3G model in the U.S. will also be available in late April 2010.

Furthermore, US customers can begin to preorder both the WiFi and WiFi + 3G models from Apple’s online store or reserve a WiFi model to pick up on April 3, 2010 at a US Apple retail store.

On the Canada end of business, Apple states that both the WiFi and WiFi + 3G models will be available for sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April 2010, missing the originally stated worldwide availability of the WiFi iPad by a month.

Apple today announced that its magical and revolutionary iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.

Beginning a week from today, on March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store (www.apple.com) or reserve a Wi-Fi model to pick up on Saturday, April 3, at an Apple retail store.

Apple also stated that the iBooks application and iBookstore will be available in the U.S. App Store on April 3, 2010 with support for other countries to follow later in 2010.

So, are you going to get an iPad? Are you heading down south earlier than the Canadian launch like with the original iPhone or are you going to wait?

Apple Announces US WiFi iPad Launch Date On April 3rd, Preorder March 12 is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

It has been long rumored that a new iPhone, or the next iPhone more specifically, will include a front facing video camera used for video chat/calls. Well, this rumor may be more fact than fiction.

A report from 9to5Mac has revealed information leading to iPhone video calling capabilities found deep within the iPhone SDK. Specifically, various icons were located that lead to video calling on an iPhone.

However, hidden icons are only the first half of this find. As seen in the image below, hidden in the iPhone telephony apps are VideoChat data strings that further reinforce the possibility of video chat on the iPhone.

While these finds greatly suggest the inclusion of a front facing video camera on the iPhone, it by no means guarantees it. Apple is well known to test various technologies and then decide to never actually ship them in a product. However with this SDK evidence, it will be interesting to see what develops.

[9to5Mac]

Video Chat To Debut In Future iPhones? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

When Apple announced the iPad at their Apple Event, maybe people misunderstood what the product was all about. A week later, it’s evident that the iPad is going to sell like hotcakes. For what it was created to do, it’s going perform extremely well.

That being said, for those excited to purchase an iPad come late March, you’re going to need a case. The Apple iPad case is going to be great, but don’t forget an invisibleSHIELD by ZAGG! You can now pre-order the iPad invisibleSHIELD from ZAGG so you can get yours immediately in time for your iPad come late March!

Get 20% OFF iPad invisibleSHIELDs With Our Exclusive Coupon Code!

Don’t forget that iPhoneinCanada.ca’s 20% off coupon code is applicable to the iPad invisibleSHIELD. The iPad full body shield retails for $34.99US, but after using our coupon code ‘iphoneinca’, you save $7 for a final price of $27.99! Not bad considering this is the cheapest price you’ll find on the internet for an invisibleSHIELD!

If you’re not familiar with the invisibleSHIELD, don’t forget to check out my iPhone 3GS review and 13″ aluminum MacBook review. Your iPad will become scratch-proof for all you people out there that baby our electronics. I find that regular cases actually cause scratches because dirt and debris act as sandpaper–the invisibleSHIELD prevents this.

Click here to visit ZAGG.com and pre-order your iPad invisibleSHIELD today.

Get 20% OFF iPad ZAGG invisibleSHIELD Pre-Order! is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

A few days ago, Virgin Mobile officially launched its HSPA+ network (using Bell service) across Canada. Alongside the launch, Virgin announced new smartphone rates plans and that it was carrying the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Until now, the only place to get Virgin Mobile service on an iPhone 3G/3GS was to visit a Virgin Mobile store. As of today however, prospective customers may get their Virgin Mobile iPhone 3G/3GS at their local Apple Store as well.

Back in September, Apple launched iPhone Activation Zones across its Canadian retail stores but the activation zones were initially found in USA Apple Stores. These Activation Zones are a dedicated zone in which Apple customers, or just strictly iPhone buyers, can discuss, purchase and activate an iPhone just as you would at a typical Rogers/Fido/Telus/Bell store. In other words, Apple Stores in Canada can now sell and activate iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS on Rogers, Fido, Telus, Bell, AND Virgin Mobile.

The only difference between buying at an Apple Store versus an official carrier store is customers receive personal service, Apple pizazz, no pushy sales people, and an iPhone device right from the Mothership! However, the Apple Store buying method does require an appointment, so read about that here.

As indicated when Virgin launched its plans at the end of January, the following packages are available on a 3-year term:

Virgin Mobile Smartphone Combo Plans

$50/month

• Daytime Minutes: 150 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
• Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
• Data: 500MB + Tethering
• Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
• Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$65/month

• Daytime Minutes: 200 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
• Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
• Data: 1GB + Tethering
• Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
• Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$80/month

• Daytime Minutes: 350 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
• Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
• Data: 2GB + Tethering
• Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
• Visual Voicemail is included
• Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$100/month

• Daytime Minutes: 450 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
• Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
• Data: 3GB + Tethering
• Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display AND Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
• Visual Voicemail is included
• Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

If customers opt to build their own plan, they may choose a voice plan starting at $25/month (up to $70) and then add a data plan starting at $30 for 500MB.

Data Add-Ons (include Tethering and Free Starbucks WiFi)

• $30/month: 500 MB
• $35/month: 1GB
• $50/month: 2GB
• $65/month: 3GB
• $85/month: 5GB
• Additional $5/month gives customers “Flexi-data” that fluctuates depending on data use.

Any of the above plans come with a 3-year contract and may also have additional paid add-ons such as early evenings. Regardless of add-ons however, the iPhone is available at the following prices:

iPhone 3G 8GB Black:

• $99 with 3-year term
• $599 no term

iPhone 3GS 16GB Black/White:

• $199 with 3-year term
• $699 no term

iPhone 3GS 32GB Black/White:

• $299 with 3-year term
• $799 no term

Virgin Mobile iPhone Now Available At Canadian Apple Stores is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

John Gruber from DaringFireball.net always has insightful analysis of Apple movements and is known on the net as an authoritative figure in the “Apple-space”. His blog is one of the most popular technology blogs on the internet (his linking to the CBC Spark Blog caused them to exceed their bandwidth and get suspended!). Yesterday he did a 15 minute interview with Nora Young from the CBC to talk about the Apple iPad.

John was at the iPad keynote and had a chance to use the iPad hands on for about 20 minutes. His reaction to the iPad can be summarized by this: speed. Apple’s latest in-house designed A4 processor is a screamer–I can only imagine the next iPhone equipped with this chip or a variation of it.

Click here to listen to the 15 CBC minute interview in MP3 format. It’ll play right on your iPhone.

John Gruber’s iPad Interview With the CBC via Nora Young is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

Most predictions from yesterday’s Apple iPad Event was that we would see some sort of preview of the next iPhone OS–which never came. However, not all hope has been lost as Apple has updated their iPhone SDK (to support the iPad) to now allow VoIP over 3G!

iPad Skype Calls Over 3G Are Imminent

What does this mean? That means VoIP apps like Skype will now be able to make calls over 3G, without the need to jailbreak (and install 3G Unrestrictor). What does this mean for iPad users on 3G data plans? It means you should theoretically be able to make Skype calls over your iPad data plan.

The iPad is equipped with a mic and speaker which should allow calls. I’m confident the iPhone headphones will work seamlessly with the iPad (like they do on the unibody MacBooks). People have been complaining about why the iPad doesn’t have a phone feature. Well, your phone feature can be now through Skype. Why pay for a phone plan when your data connection can do it all?

VoIP Over 3G Apps Are Already Available in the App Store

Evidence of this recent change is through the VoIP app iCall, which allows calls over 3G and WiFi. It’s only a matter of time before Skype releases an updated version to reflect calls over 3G. That means everybody with an iPhone (jailbroken or not) can start making unlimited calls within Canada/USA for $2.95/month (and even add Skype Caller ID!) on their iPads. Bring it on!

[PR Newswire]

iPhone SDK Now Allows VoIP Over 3G: iPad + Skype Soon? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users