iPhone 4 in Canada day 1 starts early

Apple announced that it will be opening its retail stores early tomorrow for the launch of the much anticipated iPhone 4. Opening as early as 7:00 a.m., Apple is hoping to be able serve Canadians who want their latest smartphone. iPhone 4 will be available without a contract for $659 (CAN) for the 16GB iPhone 4 and $779 (CAN) for the 32GB iPhone 4 through Apple’s online store (www.apple.ca/store) and Apple's retail stores.

Bell, Telus. Rogers and Virgin Mobile are also selling carrier-locked versions of the iPhone 4 tomorrow although they won't be open quite as early. Best Buy and Future Shop as well as Wireless Wave shops are expected to have the iPhone in stock although possibly in limited quantities.

This is a far cry from earlier iPhone launches which focused on Rogers, the only carrier to offer the iPhone at the time. These launches were marred by shortages and countrywide system failures that left thousands of users with iPhones that weren't activated until succeeding days.

Buyers should note that the iPhone 4 uses the new MicroSIM card format which requires you switch over your SIM card to the smaller version that fits on the iPhone.  

Below are our links to our ongoing iPhone 4 coverage.

iPhone 4 Canadian pricing released, $659 (16GB) and $799 (32GB)

Best Buy Canada will sell iPhone 4 for all carriers

Apple: White iPhone 4 delayed until "later this year."

iPhone 4 comes to Canada on July 30th, bumper bundled

iPhone 4 Day one, what Canadians need to know

The iPhone 4 Dilemma

Amazon unleashes new Wi-Fi-only Kindle for US$139

Amazon has a new Kindle and it looks great. After lowering the price of their Kindle 2 e-Reader to $189, possibly to clear inventory for this new model. The new model, which has a more rounded form-factor, an improved e-Ink display and now only connects to the Amazon store via Wi-Fi sells in the US for $139, which is a more competitive price for the already successful e-Reading device. No official word on when it will be available to Canada or how much it will cost us.

Release: Rogers launches chatr budget prepaid mobile carrier

chatr wireless today announced its entry into the Canadian market offering Canadians unlimited talk and text on a trusted network. chatr will offer cost certainty with zone-based plans including unlimited talk for just $35 per month and unlimited talk and text for just $45 per month, without term contracts. The service will be available in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and soon in Montreal with future plans for other Canadian markets.

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Travel: FlightNetwork.com launches Canadian 'State Of Air Travel Poll'

 FlightNetwork.com, one of Canada's highest volume online travel sales sites (second only to Expedia in Canada), today announced the launch of their 'State of Air Travel Poll,' aimed at giving Canadians a voice to weigh-in on the biggest issues facing the travel industry in 2010.

"Ash clouds, airline mergers and a global economic slowdown have created an unprecedented shake-up in the air travel industry over the past 12 months," said Naman Budhdeo, CEO of FlightNetwork.com. "We see the State of Air Travel Poll as a way to take the pulse of Canadians by offering a forum for the serious and not so serious flight industry issues that they are talking about."

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