iPhone Fever Hits the Streets
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - July 08, 2008

Japanese carrier Softbank plans to open its store in the Harajuku district at 7 a.m. local time this Friday to accommodate iPhone enthusiasts who just can’t wait to get their hands on Apple’s new 3G handset. The launch on Friday marks the first time Japanese consumers will be able to buy the much-hyped handset, since the original iPhone ran on networks incompatible to those in Japan.

But even New Zealanders will beat the Japanese at being first to get the device. Vodafone announced that it will open three stores across New Zealand at just 1 minute after midnight on July 11, making it the first country in which the 3G iPhone will be available. Australia will be second and then Japan.

Not being first has not stopped a group from camping out in front of Apple’s flagship New York store. Starting last Friday, a full week before the handset goes on sale, the group reportedly said it is trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most time spent waiting in line to buy something, and trying to promote sustainable agriculture.

Calling itself Waiting for Apples, the group is presumably waiting for a week outside in order to purchase iPhones, but in interviews the group also said its goals are to use the stunt to promote the idea that the next U.S. president should plant an organic farm at the White House, and that “it’s a good idea to grow food.”

David Bowman Simon, spokesman for Waiting for Apples, also reportedly said that he plans to buy a 3G iPhone for both U.S. presidential candidates.

Z520i - GSM 900/1800/1900 in Europe and Asia
Z520a - GSM 850/900/1800/1900 in America

General 2G Network GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - Z520i
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - Z520a
Announced 2005, June
Status Available
Size Dimensions 93 x 46 x 24 mm
Weight 96 g
Display Type TFT, 65K colors
Size 128 x 160 pixels, 29 x 35 mm
- Second external CSTN display 4096 colors (101 x 80 pixels)
- Wallpapers, screensavers
Ringtones Type Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3, AAC
Customization Composer, download, order now
Vibration Yes
Memory Phonebook 500 x 8 fields, Photo call
Call records 30 received, dialed and missed calls
Card slot No
- 16 MB shared memory
Data GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD No
EDGE No
3G No
WLAN No
Bluetooth Yes, v2.0
Infrared port Yes
USB Yes
Features Messaging SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games Yes + downloadable, order now
Colors Light Blue, Pale Purple, Pale Pink, Pale Yellow
Camera VGA, 640×480 pixels, video
- Java MIDP 2.0
- MP3/MPEG4 player
- Image viewer/editor
- Exchangeable covers
- Built-in handsfree
- Organizer
- SyncML
Battery Standard, Li-Ion 900 mAh Stand-by Up to 400 h
Talk time Up to 9 h
z520 manual

A Japanese mobile phone firm said today it had pulled a TV advert depicting a monkey as a political candidate amid accusations that it was a racist reference to Barack Obama, who is seeking to become the first black US president.

The ad, for eMobile, shows a monkey in a suit addressing an election rally, surrounded by supporters carrying placards with the word “Change”.

The apparent intention is to persuade subscribers to other mobile phone carriers to transfer to eMobile.

But the combination of the monkey, and the resemblance of his message to the theme of Obama’s campaign - “Change we can believe in” - prompted bloggers to accuse the company of making a racist slur against the Democratic hopeful.

The company, which stressed it had used the macaque mascot in several other adverts, said it had never intended to insult Obama but had decided to pull the “Change” ad in response to criticism in the blogosphere.

“We had no bad intentions, but this is a cross-cultural gap issue and we have to accept it,” eMobile’s chief executive, Sachio Semmoto, told Reuters. “There are African-Americans in Japan, so we decided to take prompt action and shut down the ad.”

Semmoto went further, describing the senator from Illinois as the kind of leader who could benefit not only the US but also Japan. “For two years I’ve been saying Obama has the capacity to change America, the kind of capacity that Japan needs,” he said.

Monkeys are revered in Japan, and their image can be found at numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, but eMobile’s choice of animal for this ad did not impress the foreign blogging community.

Zurui, in a message to the Black Tokyo site, wrote: “Well it seems like the ugly head of racism has reared its big head again on Japanese television.

“Am I crazy to think the monkey is supposed to represent Barack Obama? Given the track record for companies in Japan that use monkeys and blacks or monkeys as blacks in advertisements … maybe not!”

Writing on Japan Probe, James disagreed: “Is this ‘the ugly head of racism’ in Japan, as sites like Black Tokyo have written? I don’t think so.

“The commercial clearly is a parody of Barack Obama’s campaign, which has received a lot of positive media coverage in Japan, but I don’t feel that it reflects racist ideas about black people and monkeys.

“I doubt that most Japanese people would even understand how a pink-faced grey monkey native to Japan could be equated with African people.”

It isn’t the first time a Japanese firm has found itself accused of racist depictions of black people.

Three years ago a TV commercial by Mandom, which makes men’s grooming products, drew condemnation because it showed a Rastafarian accompanied by a chimpanzee that had been made up to resemble him.

Obama is hugely popular in Japan, not least among the residents of a fishing town on the Japan Sea coast that shares his name.

The residents of Obama - “little shore” in Japanese - formed a supporters’ group to follow his progress through the Democratic primaries.

His Japanese supporters made sweet-bean buns bearing Obama’s face and “I love Obama” T-shirts, as well as similarly themed chopsticks, which the town’s mayor sent to the candidate along with a message of support.

Justin McCurry in Tokyo
guardian.co.uk, Friday June 27, 2008
Article history
This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Friday June 27 2008.

By Luann Lasalle, The Canadian Press

ADVERTISEMENT

MONTREAL - Bidding has reached more than $4.1 billion in an online auction to open Canada’s cellphone market to more competition, prompting a complaint from one of its participants.

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B) raised some concerns about the online auction and its costs. “It is interesting to see a process so clearly driven by foreign money,” CEO Jim Shaw said Friday during a conference call to discuss the cable company’s third-quarter results.

“We just hope that when the auction’s over and the bidders are qualified, that they all can recite the words to the Canadian national anthem,” Shaw said.

Shaw president Peter Bissonette then chimed in with the first few notes of the “Hockey Night in Canada” theme.

The Calgary-based Shaw had bid $208.7 million for 25 spectrum licences primarily in Western Canada, said Industry Canada’s website.

Shaw appeared to be making a dig at Toronto-based Globalive, which is also trying to get into the Canadian cellphone market but has financial backing from European and Egyptian telecom investors.

Globalive had bid $433.1 million for 26 licences in many parts of the country and is aiming to be a new, national cellphone player.

However, strict federal regulations prevent foreign telecom companies from simply breaking into Canada with their own platforms and they can only invest a minority stake in a Canadian company.

Shaw didn’t comment on what his company intends to do with the wireless spectrum it has acquired during the auction.

He also said the auction has increased prices for new players to enter the Canadian cellphone market.

“How is that good if your mandate is to deliver quality new products to Canadians? How can you do that when you bring in a whole bunch of people to drive up the price? They’ll have to charge you more.”

The domestic cellphone market is estimated to generate $16 billion in revenues a year and is dominated by Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B), Telus Communications Company (TSX:T) and Bell Mobility Inc. (TSX:BCE).

The big three players and new participants in Industry Canada’s wireless spectrum auction are bidding for more than 250 licences for airwaves over which wireless networks need to operate.

Analysts had originally estimated the bidding would go as high as $2 billion for the 105-megahertz band of spectrum.

Some had believed it might have been winding down when bids recently reached $3.5 billion, but the auction won’t end until bidding halts.

Analyst Carmi Levy said the higher than expected amounts that have been bid will have fallout for all of the players in terms of what they will be able to offer consumers.

“So obviously the more you spend on bandwidth and on the rights to own bandwidth, then the less you have after the fact and that will have implications for the kinds of services we can see and when we will be able to see them,” said Levy of Toronto’s AR Communications Inc.

It will also impact the smaller players that want to build cellphone networks, said Levy, senior vice-president of strategic consulting.

Quebecor Inc. (TSX:QBR.B) had bid $565.1 million for 18 licences primarily in Quebec and parts of Ontario for its Videotron cable service to get a crack at the cellphone business.

“I cannot discuss this subject in more detail, except to tell you that if all goes according to plan, Videotron will build its own network and add third-generation wireless services to its range of products,” CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau said this week at his company’s annual meeting.

Even though bidding is starting to flatten, nobody is giving an inch, Levy said.

“This is the way it’s being played out and they don’t have a choice,” said Levy. “Their only alternative is to fold up their tents and go home and none of them is doing that.”

The big three players were leading bidding on Friday, but they can’t bid on the 40-megahertz of spectrum specifically reserved for new players in the cellphone market.

Dominant player Rogers had bid $946.1 million for 57 licences spread across much of the country with heavy concentration in Ontario.

Telus had bid $800.4 million for 53 licences in and Bell had bid $695 million for 53 licences, both of them bidding in many different parts of Canada.

For his part, Shaw said he’s not worried about losing customers to new independent wireless providers that may emerge once the auction wraps up because it will take them a long time to develop the infrastructure and cultivate customer relationships.

“They might have a billing system, they might have some expertise. They maybe they’ve got lots of money. But it’s that back office that really makes the service work,” he said.

Online petition protests Rogers iPhone plan
MATT HARTLEY

Globe and Mail Update

June 30, 2008 at 10:27 AM EDT

Canadian iPhone fans have launched an online petition protesting pricing plans Rogers Wireless Inc. will offer customers when the coveted touchscreen device arrives in Canada July 11.

So far more than 16,000 people have signed the petition at ruinediphone.com since the site was launched Friday. The creators say they plan to send a hard copy of all the comments posted on the site to Rogers Communications’ [RCI.B-T] headquarters in Toronto to demonstrate users’ “indignation.”

“Everyone would like to say “no thanks” to Rogers/Fido for screwing our iPhone Canadian dream with poor data/voice plans,” the site’s main page says.

A Rogers spokesperson could not immediately be reached Monday.

sign petition here

In an open letter to Apple Inc. [AAPL-Q] chief executive Steve Jobs posted on the site, creator James Hallen calls Rogers’ 3G iPhone rates “unfair” when compared to the packages offered through AT&T Inc. in the U.S. and other carriers around the world.

“There are a vast number of Canadians that would take the opportunity to buy an iPhone at $199 (Canadian) but these new plans have put it out of reach for many,” he says in the letter.

Mr. Hallen had hoped to gather 10,000 signatures to the petition by the time the iPhone goes on sale in Canada July 11, but had already surpassed that number by Sunday morning.

Visitors to the site claim Rogers’ voice and data plans are too expensive when compared to other country-exclusive iPhone carriers around the world. They say the company’s plans to only offer the iPhone at full price - $199 for an 8 GB model, $299 for a 16 GB model - on fixed, three-year contracts is both restrictive and unfair.

Other carriers, including O2 in the UK, offer shorter term contracts or sell the iPhone on prepaid plans. O2 offers one plan that includes a free iPhone with an 18-month contract.

Rogers’ combined voice and data plans for the iPhone, which include unlimited calling on evenings and weekends, range from $60 per month for 150 daytime minutes with 400 MB of data usage, to $115 for a deluxe 800 minutes and 2 GB package. The packages each include unlimited WiFi access at all Rogers and Fido hot spots.

But unlike other carriers, including AT&T, Rogers does not offer an unlimited data usage plan for the iPhone.

One of the reasons the iPhone is such a sought-after device is because of its superior Web-surfing capabilities, which can quickly become an expensive pursuit with the wrong data plan. Users posting on ruinediphone.com claim that Rogers’ plans make surfing the Web on an iPhone prohibitively expensive.

“We fail to understand why you are giving Canadian customers a patently worse deal than AT&T in the U.S.,” writes a user named Rodger Morrow. “You will make more money and sell more iPhones if you make the rates affordable…”

In a statement Friday, Rogers said that its 400 MB plan would allow a user to send about 200,000 text e-mails or view 3,100 Web pages or 1,360 photo attachments. It claims its 2 GB plan would allow a user to download 16,000 Web pages.

However, one user on the forum points out that loading a Facebook page can rack up as much as 1.2 MB, which would drop the number of page views per month to 1,600 from 16,000.

Motorola RAZR V3

Screen Internal: 176×220 pixel (2.2inch) TFT LCD, 65,100 colors External: 96×80 pixel STN 4,096 colors
Ringtone MP3, Polyphonic - 24 Chords . Vibration
Memory 9.6 MB internal
Networks GSM Quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Connectivity GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbit/s; Bluetooth v1.2; USB
Battery 840 mAh Li-ion
Physical size 53 mm×98 mm×13 mm (2.1 x 3.9 x 0.54 inches)
Weight 125 g (4.41 oz)
Form factor Clamshell
Motorola RAZR V3 (pronounced “RA-zer”, is a thin clamshell mobile/cellular camera phone designed and manufactured by Motorola. The phone was initially regarded as an exclusive fashion phone,[2] with a high price of $600 with service agreement and $800 without. However, in 2005 the phone entered the mass-market as a mid-priced phone. PC World put the RAZR at #12 in The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years.[3] Many versions of the V3 were released, and on May 15, 2007, Motorola announced the new RAZR 2, with a bigger external screen, better UI, faster processor (10x the speed of its predecessor) and Linux platform.
2G Models
V3
The original RAZR V3 GPRS phone is carried by AT&T (formerly Cingular), Cincinnati Bell, T-Mobile,Suncom Wireless and Centennial Wireless in the USA, Rogers Wireless and Fido in Canada, Telcel in Mexico, Optus and Telstra in Australia, Vodafone in New Zealand and Australia, Brasil Telecom GSM, Claro, Airtel, BPLmobile & Hutch in India Oi and TIM in Brazil and by many companies in other countries.
Matte Black version
A black version was produced for distribution in the 77th Academy Awards gift bags, and was released in early May 2005. As of September 2005, the black version is available in the USA from AT&T, Metro PCS,Suncom Wireless and Cellular One from Dobson Cellular Systems, Canada only from Fido Solutions or Rogers Wireless and in many other countries from Movistar and Claro (Telcel).
The black V3 is widely available in the European Union and is the standard version of the phone in Brazil.
Hot Pink versions
The first pink version was released in October 2005, and as of June 2006, is available in the USA from T-Mobile (as RAZR V3 Magenta, after the T-Mobile—and its parent, Deutsche Telekom’s—corporate color, but called RAZR V3 Pink in other countries, including other T-Mobile networks), Verizon and Cingular Wireless and Suncom Wireless (each in a different shade, currently exclusive to the US). It is available in Canada from Bell, Rogers Wireless and Telus, and in the United Kingdom from T-Mobile and the Carphone Warehouse. $25 of sales from the Rogers pink V3 go to Rethink Breast Cancer. It is also available in all Movistar-serviced countries and Claro (Telcel).
Miami Ink Collection
As of October 30, 2006 through T-Mobile in the United States, Motorola offered a version with laser-etched tattoo-inspired designs created by Ami James of the TLC reality television show, Miami Ink. The phones are aesthetically different however they are standard V3r’s.
V3i
Motorola RAZR V3i

Screen Internal: 176×220 pixel (2.2inch) TFT LCD, 262,144 colors External: 96×80 pixel STN 65,536 colors
Ringtone MP3, Polyphonic - 24 chords
Memory 13.4 MB Internal and External microSD cards expandable up to 512 MB (1GB only with the latest firmware)
Networks GSM Quad band 850/900/1800/1900
Connectivity mini-USB, Bluetooth Class 1.0, GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2) slots 32-48 kbit/s
Physical size 53 x 98 x 13.9 mm
Weight 96 grams (3.4 oz)
The successor to the RAZR is the RAZR V3i. It addresses some of the faults of the original RAZR V3 including a better (1.23 megapixel) camera with 8x digital zoom, an improved external and internal display also support for microSD cards of up to one GB. V3i is functionally very close to Motorola V635 model. The V3i comes in two versions: one with iTunes and one with Motorola’s Digital Audio Player (DAP). The iTunes version of the phone has a 50 or 100 song limit restriction (”cap”) depending on where the phone model was made. The Motorola DAP does not suffer from this cap; however, it takes considerably longer time to load and uses the V3’s battery at a much faster rate than iTunes does. The phone’s looks have also been subtly changed. It was announced on December 8, 2005 that Motorola had teamed up with Dolce & Gabbana to produce a Special Edition Gold RAZR V3t. Only 1,000 of these have been made and sold for a premium price.
On June 1, 2006, Motorola and Dolce & Gabbana once again released their limited edition gold phone. This model includes a D&G cell phone holder, a signature leather pouch, Bluetooth headphone, and FM earphones. It is available from all major Motorola retailers and select D&G boutiques.
The V3i is available in the following colors:
Silver Quartz (main color)
Gunmetal Grey
Gold Plate (special edition DG version only, see above)
Dark Blue
Maroon
Violet
Orchid
Black for (PRODUCT)RED (special edition to tie in with the (PRODUCT) RED initiative)
Platinum
Red
Chrome Green
Chrome Purple
Celery (some companies call it Lime Green instead)
The Motorola RAZR V3i was released to most worldwide markets in the Q4 of 2005–2006. In the U.S. the phone was released through Cingular Wireless on September 6, 2006, with a new activation price of $299, but is availible with At&T Wireless as well as Suncom Wireless.
V3r/V3t
The V3r and V3t are models sold by T-Mobile, AT&T (formerly Cingular), and Canadian cellular services such as Rogers Wireless, respectively. These models are virtually identical to the V3 and V3i, except they use Motorola’s Digital Audio Player instead of iTunes for music playback. T-Mobile’s V3r offers a Voice Notes feature which permits forwarding your audio recordings to voicemail as the only storage method. However, a publicly available seem edit permits users to enable the hidden Voice Records feature. Voice Records allows you to save voice recordings locally to phone memory. Currently, Voice Records is limited to less than two minutes of audio recording and stores the resulting records as .avr format files on the a partition within phone memory. In contrast, currently available seem edits can expand the maximum size of video recordings.
T-Mobile V3t phone memory is 10.0MB total, including all system files. This space is divided unevenly into a and c partitions. Memory on partition a is larger than 2MB and contains system files, including some of the branding images for the phone carrier. Partition a also contains the avr structure for the hidden Voice Records feature. Partition c is larger than 5.5MB and stores user data, including images, sounds, videos, text notes, calendar entries, phone book entries, Java applets and web cache. V3r and V3t phones sold by T-Mobile come equipped with Java-based software that supports T-Mobile’s “MyFaves” rate plan. Publicly available third party tools can remove this Java software and other system or locked files to free memory for other uses.
Canada’s Rogers Wireless also carries them for a reduced price compared to the original Razrs.
MS500
Another version of this phone was released in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on June 1, 2005. This version has the similar physical appearance as the original V3 but instead of GSM, it is a CDMA phone for SK Telecom. It is the first CDMA version of the RAZR without the expandable memory, Bluetooth and SIM card, since Motorola Korea’s system was able to produce its own model before worldwide GSM format release. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera, video recording, 80MB of internal memory and a variety of UI features, such as mobile blog, Yoga graphic book, Diet diary and Lotto number generator for Wellness theme. It also comes in colors other than those mentioned above. Black, pink, and lime models are seen around Korea. In February 8, 2006 Motorola Korea released its own slide-phone model for the RAZR named Z model name MS600. Unlike most other versions, the MS500 version is packaged with a charging dock and has three metal terminals on the back side immediately under the battery cover.
Also, as the add-on to the MS600, MS500 Lime RAZR has been in circulation in South Korea since October 2006 along with the Motorola KRZR Black and Motorola KRZR Fire (Red).
CDMA2000 Models
V3c
On November 21, 2005, a CDMA version of the RAZR, known as the RAZR V3c, became available to Alltel and SaskTel users. Verizon Wireless followed suit on December 7, 2005. Unlike models for Alltel and other carriers, Verizon’s V3c features a proprietary user interface and disables, in software, Bluetooth file transfer capabilities (called OBEX). (Although OBEX is supported in Verizon’s V3c firmware version .02, and version .04 if flash-upgraded directly from .02, skipping any install of .03.) In January 2006, Canadian Telus, Bell Mobility and Aliant Mobility, Venezuelan carriers Movistar and Movilnet, and Brazilian Vivo began carrying the V3c. In April 2006 Cricket Communications began selling the V3c. The RAZR V3c supports CDMA 2000 1xRTT and 1xEVDO third generation wireless technologies. This is the technology Verizon Wireless uses to provide their V CAST multimedia service. The coverage of this feature, however, may not be available everywhere. US Cellular and Alaska Communications Systems, Alaska’s CDMA provider, also carry the V3c. It also has approximately 41.2 MB of internal memory, although only about 36 MB are available for use. The V3c does not support an expandable memory card.
The original version of the V3c was charcoal gray, and a light pink version called Satin Pink (different from the GSM Magenta/Pink and the AT&T Cotton Candy versions) was released by Verizon Wireless in January 2006. Telus Mobility, Bell, Aliant, and Vivo also carry pink versions of the V3c.
V3m
V3m is a CDMA version of the RAZR. As an upgrade to the V3c, it features a microSD card slot for up to 2 GB of memory expansion, a longer lasting battery, and 40MB of internal memory. The V3m presently comes in silver, pink, red, and through Alltel, Fire Red although the original release as well as models currently available on the Sprint CDMA network featured the gunmetal gray color of the V3c. This is not available in the UK, although the V3x is on sale there.
Verizon Wireless version
Verizon Wireless disabled certain features on the V3m including the ability to transfer data files to and from the phone via Bluetooth (a specific protocol called OBEX). Verizon has also blocked the transfer of most data over USB, such as ringtones. These phones also run Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW), which signs each application to the phones Electronic Serial Number, or ESN, thus preventing the use of free applications. The equivalent models offered by competitors (such as the V3t by T-Mobile) still retain these features.
Verizon also installs their own user interface instead of the default Motorola interface that they used to use in the past. This has led to many Verizon Wireless users to resort to using their own artificial means of reverting their phones back to an original Motorola condition, or to that of a Verizon phone that has some of the disabled features enabled. A newer Verizon version of the phone has been upgraded and features limitless video capture, easier laid out menu system and the ability to customize the external screen. The phone is still unable to sync to a computer via USB cable for anything other than charging, unless a software such as Bitpim is used to access files.
Red V3mPartnering with Motorola, US Cellular and Sprint released a special Product Red RAZR and Bluetooth H500 headset to help support Global Fund programs which positively impact the lives of women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Also in the UK there is a Product Red V3i, SLVR, and Bluetooth H3 headset.
W-CDMA/UMTS/FOMA models
V3x

RAZR V3x
Announced in March 2005 , the RAZR V3x was formerly known as the Motorola V1150. Externally, it appears to be a larger RAZR V3, albeit with enhancements such as a 2.0 Megapixel camera. Internally, it is quite different, utilizing a different microprocessor, chipset, an Nvidia GoForce GPU, and radio ICs. As a 3G product, its feature set is closer to that of phones such as the Motorola V980, e.g., two cameras instead of the single camera typical on GSM or CDMA products. However one of the main attractions of the RAZR V3, the fact that it is very thin, is no longer present in the V3x; although it is the smallest phone available in the UK on the “3″ network, compared to other clamshells, it is only an average-sized phone. It won the “Best 3GSM handset” at the 2006 3GSM World Congress.
M702iG
In Japan, a 3G(W-CDMA) NTT DoCoMo version of the V3x was released in late August 2006. This version has IrDA.
V3xx
Announced in July 2006, the V3xx is a 3G Category 5/6 (3.6 Mbit/s) HSDPA and EDGE supported handset. It is extremely similar in appearance to the compact V3i design, but incorporates an improved feature set with a 1.3 megapixel camera in place of the 1.23 megapixel, 50 MB of internal memory, support for microSD and Bluetooth A2DP. Like the V3x, it is also equipped with a secondary screen and a higher resolution 240×320 pixel (QVGA) main screen.. The V3xx was made available for purchase internationally on the Three network in November 2006, and is now available on at&t (formerly Cingular) for $149.99 with a new 2-year contract. The secondary camera is not available in the USA. The built-in GPU, manufactured by Nvidia (model GoForce 4800) is capable of rendering 3D images through OpenGL ES. The phone includes a much faster CPU as well, making the performance of all features, including 3G/Data much more real-time. (All menuing delays common to the slower V3 platform are gone). With the new CPU available, the V3xx Phone now also includes a fast USB V2.0 for downloading ringtones/images/mp3 files quickly. (older V3′s were limited to USB V1.1)
Unlike with the V3 and V3i (both of which were quad band GSM and thus worked equally well on any GSM network in the world) the V3xx comes in different variants depending on the local frequency bands used for GSM and UMTS/HSDPA. The North American V3xx is quad band (850 MHz/900 MHz/1800 MHz/1900 MHz) GSM and dual band (850 MHz/1900 MHz) UMTS/HSDPA, whereas the version sold in Europe and Asia is tri band (900 MHz/1800 MHz/1900 MHz) GSM and single band (2.1 GHz) UMTS/HSDPA. This is likely due to the need to fit the internal components of the V3xx into a small casing; as of early 2007 global phones that support quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA are considerably bulkier than the V3xx.
M702iS
NTT DoCoMo version of the V3xx. This version does not have GSM, HSDPA. But it has IrDA. NTT DoCoMo FOMA M702iS
RAZR maxx
The RAZR maxx is a new 3G HSDPA and EDGE handset predated by the RAZR V3x. Initially known as the “MAXX V6,” it was released in Europe by the end of 2006. Additionally Motorola had released pictures on its website of the Verizon version. The original version has a 2.0 Megapixel camera with LED flash, a large 2.2-inch (56 mm) screen with 240×320 QVGA display (like the V3xx) and 50 megabytes of internal storage. While gaining a significantly improved featureset, it will maintain the same thin profile of the original RAZR V3. Key to its design are a glass fascia with external touch-sensitive controls for MP3s.
This phone is available in Australia from Telstra on their 850 MHz Next G network.
The Verizon Wireless version became available on April 24th, 2007.
The Verizon Wireless version, the RAZR maxx Ve, does not have the second camera on the inside of the phone. Instead, there is a shutter button for focusing and picture taking. The Ve will feature Verizon’s menu system, but is said to support OBEX profiles, unlike Verizon’s current RAZR V3m.
RAZR²
The new, more sleek and more stable design of the RAZR came out in North America in July 2007. This new RAZR includes more features such as Crystal talk (a feature designed to improve telephone audio quality) and a touch sensitive external screen (used for replying to text messages, listening to music, and other features). Also, sturdier materials such as stainless steel will replace aluminum in the RAZR. The new models are the V8, the V9, and the V9m.
Developments
The original V3 was intended to be a low-selling “halo product” to promote the Motorola brand. The phone was comparable in functionality to other cell phones when first released, but due to advancements in the cell phone industry, is now of relatively limited functionality. It had only 5.5 MB of usable memory capacity, upgradeable to an absolute maximum of about 10 MB by modding the phone Furthermore it had no storage expansion slot and a low camera resolution of 0.3 megapixels (Resolution: 640×480 pixels).
The newer models (V3i and V3x) addressed these issues by increasing memory capacity to 30.8 MB and 62.8 respectively. Camera resolutions were increased to 1.23 megapixels for the V3i, and 2.0 megapixels for the V3x. The hinge mechanism was also reinforced. For the V3x, Motorola slightly modified the keypad layout in response to complaints about it being difficult to use. The keys are bigger and more widely spaced, and rubber spacers have been added in between, instead of the laser-etchings on the metallic surface itself as seen previously.
U.S. network restrictions
Verizon intentionally restricts otherwise-available functionality in V3c and V3m models. Such phones are unable to transfer files via wireless Bluetooth (OBEX), forcing users to purchase ring tones and transfer photographs to home computers via Verizon’s paid PixPlace service. However, through certain unsanctioned modifications, some of these capabilities can be re-enabled. The V3c and V3m handsets sold through Sprint, US Cellular, and Alltel do not suffer from such limitationsDue to many Sprint customers complaining about less than expected battery life, Motorola has begun to offer free high-capacity batteries to Sprint customers who contact Motorola’s customer service line with battery life issues.
Cultural impact
The RAZR has been said to be the “iPod” of mobile phones. Being the slimmest phone during its release in 2004 , it easily stood out amongst other phone models. It has also been one of the most popular mobile phones since its first release, having been spotted in the hands of celebrities and businessmen alike, it is frequently seen in movies and TV shows and is also being used by the Dutch Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
In popular culture
Since its release the RAZR has become identified as a ‘fashion’ product and an iconic cell phone.[23] The RAZR has since been used in several television shows and featured in several movies. Contestants on the NBC adventure reality show “Treasure Hunters” were given RAZRs for communication with the host and each other throughout the season. The Product Red edition of the RAZR was launched by Oprah and Bono for charity. Its popularity has greatly faded though in recent years to newer models.
Specifications
The complete list of specifications for the V3c variant of the RAZR follows. Note that specifications for other versions vary.
Type Specification
Modes CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
Weight 3.49 oz (99 g)
Dimensions 3.90″ x 2.10″ x 0.60″ (99 x 53 x 15 mm)
Form Factor Clamshell Internal Antenna
Battery Life Talk: 3.33 hours (200 minutes) Standby: 215 hours (9 days)
Battery Type LiIon 740 mAh
Display Type: LCD (Color TFT/TFD) Colors: 65,536 (16-bit) Size: 176 x 220 pixels
Platform / OS Symbian/ VZW
Memory 30 MB (built-in, flash shared memory)
Phone Book Capacity 1000

article thanks to wikipedia

The section below was on the Rogers web site today so I guess that makes it official. The prices are for both Rogers and Fido. The unlimited Rogers/Fido Wifi is nice but over all it seems pretty expensive. If you consider that at $115 you get 2gb data where in the States At&t has unlimited data for $35 this may not sell well. The price of the iphone itself $199 for the 8gb version is the same.

iPhone 3G Voice & Data Packages

iPhone packages include all the voice minutes and data you’ll need to fully benefit from the breakthrough device.

Monthly Fee $60 $75 $100 $115
Weekday Minutes Included 150 300 600 800
Evenings and Weekend unlimited unlimited unlimited unlimited
Evenings are from 9 p.m to 7 a.m Monday to Friday and Weekends are from 9 p.m Friday to 7a.m Monday
Data Included 400MB 750MB 1GB 2GB
1MB= 1,024 KB 1GB=1,024MB
Bonus Sent Text Messages 75 100 200 300
Visual Voicemail - New with iPhone Included
Visual Voicemail allows you to go directly to any of your messages without listening to the prior messages, so you can quickly select the messages that are most important to you.
Access to Rogers Wireless
and Fido Hotspots Unlimited
Additional Weekday Minutes
(per minute) 35¢ 35¢ 25¢ 15¢
Additional Data 50¢ per MB for the first 60 MB, 3¢ per MB thereafter
Additional Sent Text Messages
(per message) 15¢

Value Packs for iPhone 3G
Add a Value Pack to your package and save up to 53% off the regular price of Wireless Essentials.

$15 iPhone Value Pack $20 iPhone Value Pack
Wireless Essentials Included Wireless Essentials Included
Call Display Call Display
WhoCalled™ WhoCalled™
2,500 Sent Text Messages 10,000 Sent Text Messages
Caller Ring Trax™ Caller Ring Trax™
2,500 Call Forwarding Minutes 2,500 Call Forwarding Minutes
6pm Early Evening Calling

Noki1 2125i

Lightweight design with chrome accents, an internal antenna and 96 x 65 pixel display in 65,536 colours
Bring things to light with the easy-to-activate flashlight
Talk handsfree with the integrated speakerphone
Stay on task with tools like the calendar, alarm clock and calculator
Stay connected Stay connected Voice dialing, recording and commands
Stay in the loop when on the go with the mobile Internet (Internet content/services designed for mobile devices)
Store up to 250 contacts in your phone book
Connect to friends and family with text messaging and picture message templates
Predictive text input
Personalize your caller ID with fun graphics
Make it yours, have fun Make it yours, have fun Enjoy richer sounding polyphonic ring tones
Express yourself with downloadable ring tones and Xpress-on™ colour covers (sold separately)
Take the fun with you with preloaded games
Specifications 800/1900 MHz CDMA plus 800 MHz AMPS band/mode
Weight: 85 g with battery
Dimensions: 102.4 mm x 42.2 mm x 21.5 mm
Power ManagementBattery Capacity Talk time Standby time

Accessories available here!

nokia-2125i-manual

Nokia phone tricks

Firmware Version: *#0000#*#51×0# or*#9999#.
View Serial No: *#92772689# .
Check IMEI Number: *#06#.
Enhanced Full Rate (EFR):
*3370# to activate EFR.
#3370# to deactivate EFR.
Half Rate Mode (HFR):
*4720# to activate HFR.
#4270# to deactivate HFR.
Default Security Code: 12345.
Software Version: *#0000# .
*#9999# Phones software version if *#0000# does not work.
*#06# For checking the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI Number).
#pw+1234567890+1# Provider Lock Status.
#pw+1234567890+2# Network Lock Status.
#pw+1234567890+3# Country Lock Status.
#pw+1234567890+4# SIM Card Lock Status.
*#147# (vodafone) this lets you know your last call. *#1471# Last call (Only vodofone).
*#21# Allows you to check the number that “All Calls” are diverted To.
*#2640# Displays security code in use.
*#30# Lets you see the private number.
*#43# Allows you to check the “Call Waiting” status of your phone.
*#61# Allows you to check the number that “On No Reply” calls are diverted to.
*#62# Allows you to check the number that Divert If Unrea chable calls are diverted to.
16 *#67# Allows you to check the number that “On Busy Calls” are diverted to.
*#67705646#R emoves operator logo on 3310 & 3330.
*#73# Reset phone timers and game scores.
*#746025625# Displays the SIM Clock status.
*#7760# Manufactures code.
*#7780# Restorefactory settings .
*#92702689# (to remember *#WAR0ANTY#) Displays - 1.Serial Number, 2.Date Made 3.Purchase Date, 4.Date of last repair (0000 for no repairs), 5.Transfer User Data. To exit this mode -you need to switch your phone off then on again.

USE WITH CAUTION I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT COULD HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF USING THESE CODES

It seems like these days the announcements are coming fast and furious from Rogers from the iphone to the Centro. Their latest new phone coming out is the Blackberry 8820. Complete with Home Zone Calling.
The 8820 is set to launch June 18 2008. And the cost is expected to be:
1yr $549
2yr $499
3yr $449
3yr special promo price $349
By appearance it looks a lot like the 8800 but the Wifi and GPS addition is going to be huge. The specs on it do look interesting:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 Edge
Form Factor:
114 x 66 x 14 mm 134g
Black in colour
Trackball Qwerty keyboard

Display 65K colors 320×240 pixels
Features:

Bluetooth v2.0 64mb Memory internal microsd external
Mini usb data
Blackberry email client
Yahoo messenger
GPS
Camera No
Mp3 player stereo headset jack with echo cancellation
Battery Stand-by 520h talk time 5h
The thing that jumps out at me is the lack of camera. That is almost unheard of these days. But the wifi more than makes up for it to the business user.