iPhone buzz to draw fans

By: Melissa Dunn

Despite a flurry of negative publicity over the high-priced plans that are mandatory if you want an iPhone in Canada, expect Apple fans to come out in droves Friday to get their hands on one, a University of Windsor assistant business professor predicts.

"The general buzz of the product is positive," said David Bussiere, who specializes in marketing at the U of W. "The product has improved since it was first released in the States.... It's the package that Rogers is offering that has caused a backlash."

More than a year after the iPhone hit U.S. stores, the popular device makes its Canadian debut amid growing controversy over the mandatory plans attached to the phones.

Rogers is currently the only Canadian carrier providing the iPhone 3G.

Irate Canadians are crying foul at the differences between the plan Rogers is offering and what customers in the States are being charged.

Earlier this month Rogers revealed details of its iPhone pricing plan, offering up four voice-and-data combo packages for the iPhone 3G, ranging in price from $60 per month to $115 a month, all requiring a three-year contract.

The plans immediately sparked a massive outcry.

By Monday afternoon more than 46,000 names, as well as many profanity-laced posts, were gathered on the site www.ruinediphone.com.

"The Rogers iPhone plans are ridiculous!! They are way too expensive for the features available," wrote Elanor Monday on ruinediphone.com. "I have been waiting and waiting for the iPhone for over a year now. And finally the iPhone gets released in Canada with insane plans. Disappointed!"

By: Melissa Dunn

Despite a flurry of negative publicity over the high-priced plans that are mandatory if you want an iPhone in Canada, expect Apple fans to come out in droves Friday to get their hands on one, a University of Windsor assistant business professor predicts.

"The general buzz of the product is positive," said David Bussiere, who specializes in marketing at the U of W. "The product has improved since it was first released in the States.... It's the package that Rogers is offering that has caused a backlash."

More than a year after the iPhone hit U.S. stores, the popular device makes its Canadian debut amid growing controversy over the mandatory plans attached to the phones.

Rogers is currently the only Canadian carrier providing the iPhone 3G.

Irate Canadians are crying foul at the differences between the plan Rogers is offering and what customers in the States are being charged.

Earlier this month Rogers revealed details of its iPhone pricing plan, offering up four voice-and-data combo packages for the iPhone 3G, ranging in price from $60 per month to $115 a month, all requiring a three-year contract.

The plans immediately sparked a massive outcry.

By Monday afternoon more than 46,000 names, as well as many profanity-laced posts, were gathered on the site www.ruinediphone.com.

"The Rogers iPhone plans are ridiculous!! They are way too expensive for the features available," wrote Elanor Monday on ruinediphone.com. "I have been waiting and waiting for the iPhone for over a year now. And finally the iPhone gets released in Canada with insane plans. Disappointed!"

Despite the anger being unleashed on the Internet, Bussiere doubts Rogers will be hurting for iPhone customers on Friday.

"My son (who is 19) wants one badly," said Bussiere, 43. "If he were upgrading right now he would definitely get an iPhone."

For people in Bussiere's demographic the gadget may not be such an easy sell.

Like many middle-aged, mid-career, Canadians Bussiere already has a Blackberry provided by his employer for work purposes.

And the like many of his friends and colleagues, he has no intention of trading in his corporate device for a "cooler" gadget anytime soon.

"What I'm after is compatibility," said Bussiere. "That I can easily turn to the tech guys (at the U of W) if I have a problem."

Gilberto Canizales was shopping for a new cellphone at Devonshire Mall with his young son last week, but was not interested in an iPhone.

"I've seen the iPhone ad on TV, but I don't really know what it does," said Canizales, outside of the Wireless Wave store at Devonshire Mall Friday. "I don't want to get stuck in a plan.... I had a Samsung before it got water damage. I think I'll stick with Samsung."

Despite the wave of negativity, staff at a number of Windsor Rogers stores say they have fielded many calls about the iPhone and customers seem genuinely excited about the launch.

The iPhone combines a phone, a widescreen iPod and an Internet device, with such features as GPS mapping. It will cost $199 for the eight-gigabyte model and $299 for the 16-gigabyte version.

Rumours were swirling on Daniel Smith's Smithereens blog Monday that Apple may be shipping fewer 3G iPhones to Canada and diverting them to Europe as a result of the negative publicity surrounding the "unfair" charges.

Rogers disputed that rumour on BetaNews Monday: "I can confirm that Canada's inventory of iPhone 3G has remained the same throughout our announcements," said spokesperson Elizabeth Hamilton.

As of Monday afternoon Rogers had not bent to pressure to change its iPhone plans.

Rogers and Apple Canada could not be reached for comment Monday.

Customer service staff at a few Windsor Rogers stores had previously heard "rumours" that some local stores would open at midnight Thursday to start selling iPhones. But on Monday, staff at those stores said they would not be opening early.

While Bussiere does not expect lineups down the street, akin to the lineups when the iPhone was first launched in the U.S. last year, he predicts diehard Apple fans will remain loyal despite the recent controversy.

"The iPhone does not offer anything you can't get with any other phone, but it does deliver it in a nicer, cooler package," said Bussiere. "Sales will be fine on Friday."