[jvincent]

I ordered mine directly from Google. www.google.com/phone.

Once I had the phone charged I immediately unlocked and rooted it. I'm running the standard Google F/W right now but will be testing a SenseUI version shortly.

The phone is very nice BTW.

 

[CrazyCDN]

I thought the Nexus One shipped unlocked, ie not tied to a carrier, and that you had to purchase a SIM card from your carry to use it as a phone. Is that not the case?

 

[jvincent]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I unlocked the bootloader.

It does in fact ship unlocked as far as carriers are concerned.

 

[pedro]

The word is that Bell is releasing the HTC Legend mid-June. HTC makes the best Android hardware out there, and this one seems to be the best in Canada for the moment.

http://www.androidincanada.ca/news/bell-to-release-htc-legend-on-june-16/

 

[jvincent]

Unfortunately the Legend is the older CPU and low res screen.

 

[Bobafart]

I am so disappointed by the Android selection in Canada.

No way am I going to pa $$$ for an unsubsidized phone. Can't believe the N1 still isn't available as a subsidized phone in Canada. They are going to announce the N2 in 6 months time.

I dislike Apple but at this point I think I may end up buying an iPhone 4 -- they will be in Canada by July.

I was hoping to activate 2 new phones 2 months ago.. still can't find an Android running 2.1 with decent hardware and multitouch.

 

[apn]

I hear you, Bob.

I'm close to pushing the button on an N1 purchase (shipped to NYC, so no cdn taxes), but also checking the bleak competitive landscape. Samsung's Galaxy S (supposedly available in July) looks like the bomb with its 4" AMOLED screen. However, it's a perpetual race and there's always something better on the horizon.

I'm curious, do you have a source for the N2 comment, or is that your speculation?

Also, Apple promised iPhone 4 by the end of July; that's a big IF based on what happened with iPad; delayed in Canada because of high US demand.

If you're already on a post-paid plan, then I understand why you want a subsidized phone, but those of us not locked into such contracts will save $$$ (perhaps $50 x 36 months) by purchasing the phone outright.

 

[Bobafart]

Hi apn,

My comment regarding the N2 being released is speculation. I recall reading from a number of sources that they will announce the N2 "next year" after they announced the N1 in January. I also recall the mention of the N2 being more enterprise based. If you google the N2 you get a lot of speculation posts about Motorola creating the N2. Nothing concrete. Sorry.

I do not have a cellphone at this point. I am looking at activating a plan. Assuming i am reading your post correctly, this sentence intrigued me:

"If you're already on a post-paid plan, then I understand why you want a subsidized phone, but those of us not locked into such contracts will save $$$ (perhaps $50 x 36 months) by purchasing the phone outright."

I am not locked into a plan. How do you save money outright by buying a phone ($550) up front first and then paying the same monthly rates as a subsidized phone?

 

[beanagee1]

"I am so disappointed by the Android selection in Canada."
I also need to replace two phones in my house and I feel the same way.

 

[rsambuca]

I just ordered the Nexus One yesterday. Like apn said, there is always something with better specs ready to come out, so if you keep waiting you will never get anything in the tech world.

At any rate, as much as I like the look of the Galaxy S, I doubt it will be available unlocked, and that is a requirement for me to save money on the contracts.

 

[apn]

@Bob,

Well, if you're planning on getting a contract, then there are no savings to be had AND paying full price for a phone stings some more.

If this is your first phone, then I'd recommend seriously assessing your needs before commiting to a 3yr plan; those of us that don't yak a lot can save money using the paygo (voice) option. It certainly gets more complicated and expensive if you want/need a data plan, but in my case, wi-fi is OK and I'll eat the (current) $3/day charge in the event a dire need should arise.

Looking at Rogers website, the cheapest voice+data "personal" plan is $50/mo + SAF and other fees; leading to a bill of $60+ per month

A subsidized 32GB 3GS runs $299, adding $60x36 commits you to spending $2,459 over the life of the contract, assuming that you don't exceed voice/data allowances. Buying your own phone in this case probably adds another $300

On the paygo option, I buy the phone @ $600 and spend ~$100 per year on voice/data for a total of $900, thus saving;

- ~$500 per year (for 3yrs) vs. subsidized phone on a post-paid plan.
- ~$600 per year (for 3yrs) vs. full-price phone on a post-paid plan.

FWIW, I learned these painful lessons after getting my wife a Bell 3yr plan only to learn that she used 10-20 minutes a month. That's expensive talk time

 

[redzone]

also if you are a current subscriber to a provider looking into retention deals ( a big thread on rfd for each provider) there are deals to be had.

 

[apn]

I took my car in for service this morning and while waiting for a shuttle ride, I picked up a magazine extolling the virtues of the Acer Liquid E handset, featuring Android 2.1

Apparently, this bad boy is available on Rogers for $50 (3yr commit) and features a Snapdragon CPU @ 768MHz (vs. 1GHz for N1), 3.5" LCD, 5Mpix camera, GPS, wi-fi, bluetooth etc. etc. We should be able to find them unlocked.

I've also been looking at the HTC Desire (Android 2.1 on Snapdragon 1GHz, 3.7" AMOLED, 5Mpix cam AND Multi-touch), although not sure if it's available on all the carrier/frequency bands used in North America. Since it's HTC, like the N1, I'd expect a separate 700MHz device might come later.

 

[jvincent]

I was considering the Acer Liquid E and decided against it because of the reduced system memory. Probably not a deal breaker for most people.

 

[MachineGunJoe]

@apn

I'm a little curious as to what pay-as-you-go plan you are on that costs a mere $100/year. If you could offer some insight on how to get by so frugally I would love the advice. I seriously hate all the 3yr commitment BS that cell-phone companies force you into.

I would love to get the nexus one but have a hard time justifying it if I have to get a 3yr contract. (P.S. I'm currently a blackberry user on no contract but with no data plan)

Also, you seem to be comparing a "full-fledged" talk/data plan on a 3yr contract vs a "bare-bones" pay-as-you-go which you use wifi to fulfill your browsing needs, which is a bit misleading. Shouldn't you compare the savings on plans that offer similar services.

(I know the thread seemed to fizzle about a month ago. Hopefully some sees this and resurrects it).

 

[apn]

I'm using the Rogers paygo option, where a $100 voucher still has a 1yr expiry. Other plans (7-11 etc.) have the same option, but many don't provide US roaming, which I wanted for very occasional use.

I purchased the Nexus One outright (in the US) and simply transferred the SIM card from my SE W810i. I've purposely disabled the use of 3G data for now.

I wasn't trying to mislead, but simply illustrate that those with small voice and data needs don't have to get suckered into a 3yr $$$ commitment to get a nice phone.

As is posted elsewhere, I have the option to pay $3 for 24hrs data (20MB, iirc) if the need arises. However, for me, other than in the car, I seem to have perpetual wi-fi access. The only issue might be on-the-go mapping, but I could purchase an app that stores data on the SD card instead of relying on a data connection.

Overall, I'm delighted with my Nexus One, which to me offers all the benefits of iPhone without the shackles.

 

[mctnguy]

I'm using the Rogers paygo option, where a $100 voucher still has a 1yr expiry. Other plans (7-11 etc.) have the same option, but many don't provide US roaming, which I wanted for very occasional use.

I purchased the Nexus One outright (in the US) and simply transferred the SIM card from my SE W810i. I've purposely disabled the use of 3G data for now.

I wasn't trying to mislead, but simply illustrate that those with small voice and data needs don't have to get suckered into a 3yr $$$ commitment to get a nice phone.

As is posted elsewhere, I have the option to pay $3 for 24hrs data (20MB, iirc) if the need arises. However, for me, other than in the car, I seem to have perpetual wi-fi access. The only issue might be on-the-go mapping, but I could purchase an app that stores data on the SD card instead of relying on a data connection.

Overall, I'm delighted with my Nexus One, which to me offers all the benefits of iPhone without the shackles.

I am curious... Roger's site says that "Unlimited On-Device Mobile Browsing " doesn't work on smartphones (unless I read it wrong). So would I have to buy a smartphone unlocked and then also take the sim card from a "dumb" phone and use that in the smartphone?

I'd love to have a smartphone where I could just pay $3 per day on the days I need it and use a pay-go plan otherwise.

Thanks for the info!

 

[TorontoColin]

I am curious... Roger's site says that "Unlimited On-Device Mobile Browsing " doesn't work on smartphones (unless I read it wrong). So would I have to buy a smartphone unlocked and then also take the sim card from a "dumb" phone and use that in the smartphone?

I'd love to have a smartphone where I could just pay $3 per day on the days I need it and use a pay-go plan otherwise.

Thanks for the info!

You would get a 2G only WAP connection that likely wouldn't work for many of your apps and might not work at all, depending on the phone. If you want a smartphone you can get a data day pass which gets you a certain amount of 3G data for the day.

 

[mctnguy]

You would get a 2G only WAP connection that likely wouldn't work for many of your apps and might not work at all, depending on the phone. If you want a smartphone you can get a data day pass which gets you a certain amount of 3G data for the day.

So I could acquire an android phone somewhere and sign up for a pay-go plan, and just use the day pass for data when I need it?

 

[taxtwit]

That is exactly what I did - I got a unlocked Nexus One, got a Rogers PAYG simcard, paid for a $100 voucher that doesn't expire for a year (before which I'll top up to extend the expiration date) and I buy a $2.99 data day pass whenever I'm on the road and outside of WIFI coverage. Only way things could be better for my needs is if Rogers came out with a data month pass! (Can't really do much tethering with 20MB )