Rogers' new $30, 6GB data plan -- unveiled at the collective relief of virtually every would-be Canadian iPhone 3G owner -- is going to end up seeing duty outside the Apple realm. Canada's largest GSM carrier (and only GSM carrier of consequence, really) has mercifully decided to let all devices in its 3G smartphone range in on the $30 party, a range that includes winners like the Nokia N95, HTC TyTN, and Samsung Jack, among others. Good call, Rogers -- now let's just remove that limited-time offer label and make this a permanent part of your plan menu, shall we?

[Via MobileSyrup]

For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iPhone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we've stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn't seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an "Activation Only Mode," which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you're anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.

[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

It turns out that AT&T won't be the only network picking up the Americanized version of LG's Prada -- the blacked-out, touch-tastic Vu -- come this May; Rogers wants in on the action up north of the border, too, and they'll be keeping pace with their GSM brethren below the St. Lawrence by launching the phone in the very same time frame. We can only assume that Rogers will be launching the CU915 variant (or TU915, as it'll probably come to be known to them) since the carrier doesn't feature a MediaFLO network that would warrant the need for the CU920's additional hardware and expense. As we already know, the phone will feature a 2 megapixel camera, HSDPA, microSD expansion, and it comes as no surprise that the phone will support access to the full host of Rogers' media services. It looks like pricing will be announced closer to launch, but you might want to just start putting away the occasional dollar now, because this one ain't exactly going out the door free on contract if you catch our drift.

[Via Mobile In Canada]

We've heard rumblings -- yes, "rumblings" plural -- that Rogers is poised to launch Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shot K850i by the end of the first quarter. With its lovely 5 megapixel camera, xenon flash, trick keypad lighting, and HSDPA, that's just fine with us if it pans out, and we're guessing there are more than a few Rogers customers who'd agree. Even better, we have some numbers to pass along: rumor has it that the phone'll run $199.99 CAD (about $199) on a three-year contract, and Rogers will do ya the favor of throwing in an 8GB memory card to boot.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

It's a little behind schedule, but we're hearing that one of the two updated GSM BlackBerry Pearls, the 8110, is finally en route to Rogers dealers across Canada. While the 8120 features WiFi, the 8110 makes do with integrated GPS along with most of the other things that have made the revised models great: a redone keypad, external microSD slot, and integrated 3.5mm headphone jack, just to name a few. We're hearing it'll run $249.99 when purchased with a data plan on a 3-year contract, available in any color you like as long as it's dark blue.

[Thanks, Mightymouse]

Rogers' Flex Rate Plan for PC Cards seem set to offer heavy data consumers a much needed break in the sometimes staggering world of wireless data prices. Plans range from $65 a month for 1 GB -- tethering is a go, of course -- to $100 a month for 5 GB of data. The surprising part of the plan is that it is tiered, so if you sign up on a 1 GB plan but use 1.2, you'll simply be bumped up to the tier 2 $75 a month plan, and not charged overages by the KB. Pretty grand news for the data greedy, thank you Rogers, job well done. Now, how about some smaller tiers for the light users?

[Thanks, Treatz]

Not wanting be outdone by its rival -- Telus Mobility -- could Rogers Wireless be planning to launch the HTC Touch? Signs are starting to point to yes with internet ads begin to pop up depicting an upcoming launch for the Canadian carrier. Just in case you've been in hiding for the last six months, we'll run down the specs again: Windows Mobile 6 Professional combined with HTC's TouchFlo interface, 2 megapixel shooter with expandable memory via microSD, 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, and Bluetooth 2.0 rounding out the feature set. 'Course, the original Touch can't take advantage of Rogers' just-launched 3G network, but hey, it's still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Canadians who were hoping for an iPhone announcement from Rogers in the near future may as well put their wallets aways as Ted and the boys at Rogers still don't have a date. Citing Canada's smaller cellular market as one possible reason, Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed said the device would likely go on sale in Europe before Canada. Rogers spokesperson Jan Innes added that the two sides aren't currently in chats about the handset, but refused to comment on if they had been in the past -- though seriously, they're nuts if they haven't been. But hey, if all this is getting you down, feel free look to eBay for a new set and then head over here for the details on that cleverly devised free iPhone unlock solution.

How ironic. In the States, Helio, one of the smallest, scrappiest, and arguably most innovative carriers in the game was the first to roll deep with MySpace integration -- but in Canada, it's Rogers, the stodgy, 800 pound gorilla of carriers. Canada's largest GSM carrier has announced the availability of MySpace Mobile this month, bringing boatloads of productivity-killing social networking capability to a handful of its phones. Specifically, it looks like Rogers is listing the Samsung A516 and A706, Sony Ericsson W580 and W810, and LG TU500 as compatible. MySpacin' comes at a price, though: it runs $5 CAD (about $4.70) per month.

[Thanks, Brian B.]

Rogers Wireless has rolled out the lovely W580i slider from Sony Ericsson, a Walkman-branded piece first introduced late in the first quarter of the year. Though data tops out at EDGE speeds (this is Sony Ericsson, after all), the handset offers an integrated FM radio, 2 megapixel cam, A2DP support, pedometer, and Memory Stick Micro expansion. Grab it now for $150 Canadian (about $142) on a three-year contract.

[Via HowardChui.com]

It's the situation most of us love to hate: we buy that new, shiny handset with full MP3 capability to supplant that fully-fledged, big-gig DAP only to find out that MP3 files -- as clips or songs -- can't be used as ringtones. Sure, there are sometimes workarounds and hacks, but should anyone really have to go through all that? Music-based handset crippling may be coming to Canada's Rogers Wireless, as word on the street is that phones sold by the carrier, like the Nokia 5300, won't allow non-DRMed MP3 files as ringtones. We find this ludicrous on music-centric handset, but reports are that the requirement was at the behest of the music industry (who else). If you're a Rogers subscriber and are locked out of using your own homebrew MP3 clips as ringtones, we'll take it that you're miffed, big time. We gotta go DRM those MP3 files of some barking dogs we have, so catch ya later.

[Via mocoNews and BoingBoing]

Le sigh, it seems -- and really, this isn't coming as a huge surprise -- that the Great White North is going to have to cool its heels and wait a while for Apple's big handset release. Rogers Wireless' CFO Bill Linton was quoted saying "The truth is we aren't very far with Apple," and this of course can be roughly translated as follows: Canada will have to wait. Sadly we have no clue when the iPhone may pop up on Rogers Wireless, but we're hoping that it arrives in time for the holiday season -- and yeah, we mean this year, Ted.

[Via TUAW]

As is sometimes de rigeur for providers, Rogers Wireless' TyTN seemed to be rolling out for the last couple days save for a press release, pricing info, and any details on its product pages. All that has finally been settled and today marks the day when this fine bit of tech can finally be picked up in Canada. No major changes seem to be in place -- no, no Windows Mobile 6, at least not yet -- for this new handset and pricing is set at a steep $399.99 (that price is of course in Canadian dollars, which works out to $370 or so) on a 3 year term. Way to go Ted and Co, but we have to ask why this little fella took so long to get out the door. Hit the read link for the goods.